Gail Donovan has a lot better imagination than I do. She’s written several novels for middle-grade students, including one which was named a New York Library Best Books for Children.
Gail’s new book, Finchosaurus, published by IslandPort Press, is very imaginative, a story about a boy, Finch, who is consumed by his interest in dinosaurs. And when he digs up a note in his school’s playground, with the word help on it, he focuses on trying to find out who needs help.
I loved how Gail advanced the story, with Finch helping all the kids in his class, as he searches for the writer of that note. There’s a lot of humor here, and an important message for kids. I suggest that you buy a couple copies, and donate one to your library and one to your school. It’s my hope that every Maine middle-schooler will read and learn from this story.
Gail was born and raised in Connecticut but now lives in Maine with her husband and two daughters. She’s a library assistant at the Portland Public Library.