Dino Trouble

January 31, 2022
Light-skinned, bespectacled Travis Better and light brown–skinned Journey West are best friends and video game fanatics. When Arcade World, a “magical and mysterious” new video game center where “everything’s free,” suddenly opens in a formerly abandoned building, the child population of the town of Normal is eager to start playing. Travis and Journey quickly ascend to the top two spots on every game except for Dino Trouble, but with the encouragement of Mr. E. Miniboss—the arcade’s sinister-seeming, top hat–sporting proprietor—the pair manage to secure the coveted spots. Soon, reality begins to mimic the game aesthetically and otherwise, and the duo must complete levels IRL, taking on glitter dactyls, ice cream iguanodons, and other cute-but-deadly dinos. While an abrupt end to the gaming quest stunts the story, energetic, candy-colored spreads by Zod, reminiscent of the chunky character style of Sarah Graley, enliven debut author Bitt’s comic dialogue bubbles throughout this straightforwardly plotted series opener. Ages 5–9.

April 8, 2022

Gr 2-4-Travis and Journey take on a mysterious arcade's sweet dangers brought to life in this fast-paced adventure. The two best friends and rival gamers play every genre of video game out there, including online games during a whole year "when no one could really see each other." When the arcade machine for "Dino Trouble" brings its creatures and dessert-themed trappings to the real world, the two friends protect each other while enjoying the rush of completing each level. Travis, who is white, narrates the book, though the plot beats are also led by Journey, who is brown. Glowing colors and pixelated objects provide contrast for the virtual elements entering the real world. Action is generally of the nonviolent variety, more focused on escaping danger through agility and flying than having to attack anything. VERDICT Turning pages is how young readers will play this game of reality-bending survival, with a teased sequel on the way.-Thomas Maluck

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2021
Travis and Journey's new normal is life inside of a video game. When strange newcomer Mr. Miniboss shows up in town and turns an abandoned building into a magical, mysterious, free-entry video game center dubbed Arcade World, all of the neighborhood kids immediately become obsessed. But the arcade soon turns sinister when all of the video games come alive. The story centers on Travis and his best friend, Journey, who realize that they have been transported into their new favorite game, Dino Trouble. They must survive numerous threats--including being chased by glittery dinosaurs--as they try to figure out who really owns Arcade World and how to get back to Normal, which happens to be the name of their town. Travis is White, and Journey has light brown skin. While the dynamic comic-book graphics deliver an action-packed romp, character development and dialogue are a bit shallow and shaky. Some plot points can serve as springboards for conversations about screen time and healthy use of online technologies. The funny cliffhanger ending does its job--young readers will want to read the next installment to find out what happens next. An entertaining series opener whose simple storyline can be forgiven. (Graphic novel. 7-9)

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