The Fourth-Grade Dinosaur Club

This is a disappointing, disjointed tale about friendship and bigotry from Bograd. Billy Gelford and his friend Juan Reyes are neighbors, even though Billy lives in an exclusive townhouse complex and Juan in the building that houses his family's fruit and vegetable market. Together they form the dinosaur club, which entails looking for fossils in a lot that soon will be developed by the complex. The potential for adventure soon gives way for a story of racism when Juan is tormented by bullies and his family's market is first vandalized and then slated for destruction. Hispanic stereotypes and Billy's incessant whining about his family lessen the impact of the story, which becomes downright patronizing when Juan's family shows its gratitude for Billy's help. Bograd's novel ends up as a promising title in search of a story. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)