Dino Trouble (1) (Arcade World)

Two best friends in a town taken over by video games have to outsmart digital dinosaurs in the first book in the Arcade World graphic novel chapter book series.Life in Normal used to be, well, pretty normal. Kids went to school. Kids did their homework and chores after school. And then kids met up at the local arcade, called Arcade World. Arcade World was the weirdest, coolest place. It had a collection of video games that no one had ever heard of, like Dino Trouble or Hot Dog Time. And no one held more high scores than Travis Better and Journey West. But one day, the video games in Arcade World came alive. Now, there’s a whole new normal in town—as Normal becomes a dangerous Arcade World. Join Travis and Journey as they race dinosaurs to school, survive bottomless pit falls, and battle aliens to level up and solve mysteries like what’s going on, who really owns Arcade World, and whether this video game takeover is a glitch or part of a larger, evil plan.

From School Library Journal

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

About the Author

Nate Bitt is a video game fanatic who also loves pinball, ping pong, air hockey, skateboarding, and writing graphic novels.

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