Dino Knights Extinction

Reading doesn’t get much more pleasurable than Jeff Norton’s Dino Knights adventures, which see young Henry Fairweather and his fellow knights protect the land of Brecklan from outside threats, and always ready to ride to the help of others on their dinosaurs. Yes, in this world, dinosaurs did not die out and have been tamed enough that some can be ridden, including Henry’s much-loved T Rex. There’s something of a Wild West feel to this episode, in which Henry and his friends are heading east in an attempt to find out what happened to his parents, who vanished when he was just a baby. They meet the nomadic and warlike Junji people, travelling across the arid sands of the Dry Lands on wonderful sailboats and preparing for a fight with The Guild, a ruthless enemy who plans to take the desert lands for their own and wipe out the wild dinosaurs who live there in the process. There are twists and turns in every chapter, an unexpected and very satisfying reunion for Henry, and some carefully delivered environmental messages alongside the thrilling battles (who wouldn’t want to rid out against their enemies on a huge dinosaur?)

Henry and his fellow knights are great characters and the dinosaurs, brilliantly depicted in Jeff Crosby’s illustrations, are just as warmly described. This is great for newly confident but reluctant readers and very good for reading aloud too. Dinosaurs and knights? It doesn’t get much better!

Read our interview with author Jeff Norton.