Review: The Iguanodon's Horn

New York: Clarion Books, 2024. Informational. 48 pages.

When the first mysterious bone of the iguanodon dinosaur was discovered in 1822, scientists believed it was the horn of the dinosaur... but they were completely wrong. This book follows the path of discovery towards a more accurate image of the iguanodon, exploring the thought processes of the past artists and scientists that created unintentionally inaccurate images of the creature. While today we think we know what the iguanodon might have looked like, the book is quick to emphasize how much we still don't know about these and other dinosaurs.

The text amuses as it informs, including via commentary from the iguanodon itself, who is disappointed at how it is drawn for decades after its discovery. Readers of all ages will be enchanted by the rich illustrations, filled to the brim with extra facts, historical references, and comedic asides that provide plenty to pore over. A delightful introduction to the history of paleontology and its future potential that is perfect for both the dinosaur-obsessed and those ready to dig deeper into how scientific discovery is an ever-changing process. Highly recommended.

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Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

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