BOOKS

The Prehistoric Masters of Literature: Discover Literary History with a Prehistoric Twist!

The Prehistoric Masters of Literature: Discover Literary History with a Prehistoric Twist! illus. by Sernur Isik. 40p. (Jurassic Classics). Quarto/Walter Foster Jr. Apr. 2016. Tr $14.95. ISBN 9781633220980.
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Gr 3–6—In this prehistoric introduction to classic literature, Lacey mixes fiction with fact as readers learn about six famous writers in the context of dinosaurs. Readers can expect excerpts from such famous works as Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeareasaurus, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontesaurus, and more. Short and concise biographies of the real literary geniuses are intertwined with playful information about their dinosaur counterparts. Edgar Allan Terrordactyl "always found solace soaring about the treetops. The author delighted in swooping down on unsuspecting jungle creatures and dreamt up his scariest stories during long flights." Lists of popular works are also included to encourage readers to seek other offerings by the masters. The illustrations by Isik are cartoonlike and add a feel of fun and adventure to a topic that can be dry. As enticing as dinosaurs are to youngsters, this book may be more engaging for upper-elementary students, who can learn about the classics, have fun with the mash-ups, and maybe even write their own.
VERDICT Not a necessary purchase, but a fun introduction to classic literature in the vein of Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

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