Dinosaur Hunter by Elaine Marie Alphin

In Dinosaur Hunter, Ned lives on a Wyoming ranch in the 1870s. All his life he has hoped to find real dinosaur fossils. Ned's father understands, but be also reminds Ned that life on a ranch means lots of chores before he can take the time to look for dinosaur bones.

After a heavy thunder storm, Ned's father sends him out to check the fences. While Ned is checking for any storm damage, he can't help also looking for dinosaur bones. To his surprise, he meets another boy, George. who asks permission to look for fossils with him.

George's father, Mr. Sternberg, is a real dinosaur hunter, and Ned is thrilled to help his new friend. When the two of them find a real triceratops skeleton, however, Ned isn't sure what to do. George says his father will want to buy it and put the bones in a museum, but what will Ned's father say?

Before Ned can ask him, however, another stranger turns up. Mr. Reed is a rival dinosaur hunter, who is determined to get Ned's triceratops. Ned suspects that Mr. Reed is trying to cheat him, but how can a kid outsmart a thief?

Ever since I was in second grade I wanted to find a real dinosaur fossil. I haven't found my dinosaur skeleton yet, but a few summers ago I had a chance to go to Wyoming and look for fossils. My sense of triumph at finding trilobytes and other fossils from prehistoric times was almost as great at Ned's! And I made up my mind to write about a kid who actually finds the dinosaur I always hoped to find myself.

Dinosaur Hunter is an I Can Read Chapter Book, for boys and girls who are learning to read by themselves.

 

Parent's Guide to Children's Media Outstanding Achievement Award Winner

2003 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award Winner

An Accelerated Reader Title

 

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