Description: The reader's choices determine whether three friends will survive after being mysteriously transported back in time to the Neolithic Era, when humans were first learning to farm and harvest and to domesticate animals.
Brief description: Thomas Kingsley Troupe is the author of a big ol' pile of books for kids. He's written about everything from ghosts to Bigfoot to 3rd grade werewolves. He even wrote a book about dirt. When he's not writing or reading, he investigates the strange and spooky as part of the Twin Cities Paranormal Society. Thomas lives in Woodbury, Minnesota with his two sons.
Review Quotes: In a "Choose Your Own Adventure" style, each title takes readers through different prehistoric periods using fictionalized scenarios and dialogue. The books have a standard format that includes a common introduction, a story from modern times, three different interactive worlds from the past, and a summary of the specific historical period. The characters interact with animals, plants, and occasionally humans in the often deadly adventures. Black-and-white illustrations portray the action well and complement the text. The back matter contains critical thinking questions, recommended reading in print and online, a bibliography, a glossary, and an index. One scenario in Could You Survive the Jurassic Period? stretches credulity, and the content in the other titles comes across as didactic at times. VERDICT While there are cross curricular applications with science and social studies, these titles aren't as strong as others in the series.--Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY "School Library Journal"