Summer Shenanigans and Dinos of Doom

Hello Readers,

The countdown to summer vacation has begun! I had this epic idea to put all the Hershey kisses my son got for Easter into a countdown jar because he had the exact number equal to the days left of school (minus the two cookies-and-cream kisses that I ate, of course). That idea was progressing well, with one kiss in my son’s lunch box per day, until I noticed that the count was off. I was sure I had counted correctly, then I felt guilty about eating the extra two…only to find out that it was my husband who forgot about the countdown and finished off a few extra chocolates as an evening snack. The good news is, I was able to find some individually wrapped Sour Patch Kids as a substitute, so the countdown can continue without a hitch.

As we approach the end of another school year, I’m excited to have more time with my buddy. He’s 7 and just got a bigger bike with gears, and I can’t wait to get outside for some summer adventures together. I plan to get out on the towpath together as I train for two half marathons in August and potentially a full marathon in September (he’ll be riding; I’ll be running). We’re also looking forward to Summer Kids Club at church, Realm Makers in St. Louis this June, and lots of summer reading. As my first grader has started reading on his own, we’ve practiced at home, and I’ve been reading chapter books out loud while he plays. We’ve enjoyed Dead Sea Squirrels by Mike Nawrocki, Dino Poet by Tom Angleberger, and are always on the lookout for more good reads!

Speaking of good reads, I had the pleasure of reviewing Iggy & Oz The Plastic Dinos of Doom for Clean Fiction Magazine and can’t wait to share this one with my kiddo this summer. I highly recommend this book for parents of reluctant readers who are looking for a sort of The Indian in the Cupboard meets Hardy Boys adventure. You won’t want to miss adding this award-winning series to your TBR pile this summer!

SYNOPSIS: What if hundreds of plastic toy dinosaurs suddenly came to life- Could you find a way to stop them...?

Iggy Risner is your typical wise-cracking twelve year old. When his younger brother, Oz, wakes him in the middle of the night claiming he heard a monster in the attic, Iggy takes him upstairs to prove him wrong. But instead of a flesh-eating beast, they discover hundreds of their toy plastic dinosaurs that have mysteriously come to life.

When the dinos escape the attic and start terrorizing young kids in the neighborhood, and trampling flower beds, somehow Iggy, Oz, and their friends must catch the plastic dinos of doom before the damage escalates. But what do you do when your parents doubt your story, and a group of clueless neighborhood bullies stand in the way?

For Iggy & Oz- Catching the little beast may prove to be easier said, than done.

GENRE: Junior Fiction

AVAILABILITY: Amazon (ebook, paperback), Barnes & Noble (paperback)

OPENING THOUGHTS: Only the kids know about strange happenings in Whispering Pines, and they’re the only ones who can do anything about it. Iggy and Oz try to obey their parents, but it’s hard to explain the truth when plastic dinos come to life. As the brothers work together to solve the problem, they must navigate teamwork, honesty, and bullies—all while avoiding Mrs. McKenzie’s flower garden. Think you’re ready to wage war against an army of tiny terrors? Then get ready for a rip-roaring adventure in Iggy & Oz The Plastic Dinos of Doom!

ACTION/ADVENTURE: This book starts out with an ordinary night at the Risner house. All is quiet, except for the monster in the attic. But that monster turns out to be a lot more trouble than an imagined beast when the brothers realize there’s a bit of magic connected to the old chest where the plastic dinos were stored. They set out to capture the hoard of dinos and ponder the origin of the treasure chest in general. Who was Mr. Chesterton, and why did the dinos come to life? Iggy takes charge and often ends up injured from his own clumsiness or from one of Oz’s plans. The injuries sustained are superficial: bangs on the head, nasty worm-breath straight from the bully’s mouth, and pinchy bites from dinos. Nobody seems worse for the wear—unless you count the lunch meat and hot dogs. All meat substances in this novel were viciously devoured by tiny armies of doom (in a non-violent manner, of course). And don’t worry, all children were left unsupervised in the safety of their fictional world, and only minimal mayhem was unleashed.

ROMANCE: The boys are a bit young for romance, but Iggy confesses a crush on his friend Jenn. He admits to “having no idea how to ask a girl out” and expresses a bit of jealousy when Jenn seems to catch the attention of his rival, Todd Sterns. Iggy still thinks of himself as a White Knight and does his best to be a good friend and impress Jenn, but the relationship remains purely innocent.

FAITH: Iggy uses simple prayers at various points throughout the adventure and mentions being part of a religious family. The book is not overtly Christian, but is written from a Christian worldview. The book’s themes include learning the value of telling the truth and confronting bullies. The conflicts in this book are solved as the characters work together and remember to “do unto others...”

FINAL THOUGHTS: Energetic and entertaining, The Plastic Dinos of Doom is a fast-paced middle-grade novel that’s fun for the whole family. The author’s references to older pop culture make for a nostalgic trip down memory lane for adult readers sharing the book with their kids. I know I loved the hat tips to some of my favorites, including Scooby-Do, Indiana Jones, and The Indian in the Cupboard. At the same time, Iggy & Oz’s mentions of zombies, teasing each other relentlessly about who’s more afraid, their thoughts on their nerdy parents, and over-exaggerations on potential punishment make it fun and relatable for young readers. This imaginative story opens the door to further adventures as the mystery of Mr. Chesterton seems to be a topic for further investigation, but you never know what strange thing will happen next in Whispering Pines. The series continues with several available sequels, so you can dive right into another Iggy & Oz adventure!

This review is featured in the Winter 2025 Edition of Clean Fiction Magazine

Would you like your book to appear in Clean Fiction Magazine?

Submit your information at our website under Submissions COMPLETELY FREE!

Here’s how to get your book on the Clean Fiction TBR pile:

1. Head over to the Sunset Valley Creations website.

2. Fill out the Clean Fiction Book Review Submission Form

That’s it.

No Fees.

No sending us your book.

*Clean Fiction can’t promise a feature, but we can promise careful consideration from one of our excellent reviewers.

For those of you who don’t already know, I am a reviewer for Clean Fiction Magazine, a quarterly publication that includes book reviews, media and video game reviews, writing contests, short stories, and more. Clean Fiction Magazine is a fantastic place to advertise your clean and Christian titles of all genres. Affordable for authors on just about every budget you can find all sorts of great deals for various sized advertisements from one line to a full page! Check out the pricing guide HERE. You can also use my coupon code (DYDEK) to get an extra $5 off your order! Book your ads today because the deadline is coming up fast. All ads must be submitted by May 16th for the Summer 2026 edition.