Danger in Dinosaur Valley

Terri L. Lyons is an elementary-school librarian, who also teaches in
the Distance Education Department and specializes in readers’ advisory
services at Mohawk College.

The Screech Owls are off to Drumheller, Alberta, for the annual Dinosaur
Pee Wee Tournament. Expecting to find deep winter, they discover instead
that this part of Alberta has been hit by a warm chinook.

Drumheller is the Dinosaur Capital of Canada, once home to the fierce
albertosaurus, cousin to tyrannosaurus rex. But what is more frightening
to the Owls is that the town is also home to the sports camp run by
Kelly Block (who specializes in the psychology of team sports), and
Block wants to “adjust” the team’s winning line-up.

During the tournament, Nish, trying to stay out of Block’s way, goes
on a bicycle trip through the Hellers and comes back claiming to have
seen a dinosaur. Then Travis, Sarah, and a couple of the other teammates
join him in another ride through the hills. When they all return
supporting Nish’s claim, the Owls become internationally famous, but
they soon find themselves involved in a mystery that is far more
complicated and sinister than a mere dinosaur.

Once again, Roy MacGregor has written a rousing adventure story that
will appeal to readers of any age or gender. The kids are believable, as
are their problems. Unlike the characters in many books and movies, the
kids do not appear to be smarter or braver or more resourceful than the
grownups.. While the youngsters do solve the mystery, it is never at the
expense of the adults. Highly recommended.