Books like Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older
Set in 1863, amid Civil War clashes and the Draft Riots, "Dactyl Hill Squad" follows Magdalys Roca and her peers from the Colored Orphan Asylum as they flee Manhattan after dangerous magistrate Richard Riker kidnaps fellow orphans. They find refuge in Brooklyn’s Dactyl Hill, an autonomous enclave where African American and Latino residents forge their own society. The girls join a Vigilance Committee and learn to soar on dactylback while discovering new dinosaur allies. Together, they plan to confront Riker, rescue their friends, and defend their community from the chaos of the war and the riot.
The novel weaves historical events with speculative elements—dinosaurs populating the city, alternative‑history battles, and the everyday struggles of race relations—creating a thrilling adventure that highlights bravery, friendship, and resistance for young readers.
First publish date: 2018
Genre: Children's Fiction/Children's Adventure
Authors: Daniel José Older
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