I thought that this book was very interesting and suspenseful, with very relatable and engaging characters. I think it's perfect for those who want a mix of contemporary and science fiction.

Fun and suspenseful! The author seems to know her characters well and there was a plot twist I did not see coming. There was a strange thing where Mellie seems to address the reader and the fact that they are reading a book. It only happens once. It did drag a bit at the end.

Trex is a feel-good middle grade novel about a boy with electricity that comes from his fingertips and his friend, who is an investigator and a sleuth. The curiosity factor in the novel about the characters made it an interesting read. A must read by science fiction fans.

I really enjoyed this book. Trex and Mellie are both compelling characters. The comp to Stranger Things is very apt as well. I loved the mental health rep in this book and I think it's really important for MG readers.

The only drawback for me was Brick's point of view. Anytime I was in those chapters, I just powered through hoping to get to the next POV. Overall, though, I really did like this book.

This is an interesting plot, if a bit strange. Morrell has certainly assembled a unique collection of details. Some of the description is inconsistent, so we don't get a clear picture of what actually happened to Trex and the technology involved in his brain. Overall, a solid read if you're willing to suspend disbelief.

"Why are you named after a dinosaur?"
"Is it because you have a big hear"?
Trex was finally enrolled into a real school, something he has wanted for a long time. You see Trex's father died in a in a traffic accident and the reason Trex was alive due to an experimental brain operation.' but on the flip side, the implant created some unusual issues.Trex could not touch people or he would shock them, "like zapping people with your fingertips".
Mellie thinks of herself as some kind of detective and spends her time avoiding the bullies that attend her middle school. However, Mellie deals with anxiety and crippling stomach aches.
Each chapter ends in a cliffhanger, which encourages the reader to read the next chapter. Each chapter was a different voice of the character, so we are seeing a different aspect of each character.
This novel would appeal to the middle grade reader; however, I loved the book. and I plan on adding a copy to my private library. I enjoy the characters in a story and author has done a through character study for each person..
According to th blurb, "Perfect for fans of 'Stranger Things'".
Thank you Random House, Christyne House Children's Boks, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this Ebook in return for an honest review.

Trex is an... interesting book. While it follows the general threads we might expect from something like it- boy on the run moves to a new city, evil organization is hunting him, greedy scientists putting work and profit over ethics, a plucky neighbor girl and a big techy adventure- there are just enough other elements to make it occasionally jarring. The twist regarding the Brick chapters and narration was interesting, and contained some cool concepts, but we're just given the twist at about the 75% mark instead of carefully fed the clues, or watching Trex grow suspicious and start digging into his mom. Trex and his brain are just pawns in the large game the adults are playing, and that can make it a little weird to watch through his eyes (but also a little strange when jumping to a new perspective.)

Additionally, Mellie's medical plotline is not ideal. While representation for anxiety disorders is limited, there is an emerging number of books tackling this idea for children, and very very few that talk about invisible, chronic, or frequently-denied illnesses. When Mellie says she has a gastrointestinal esophageal disability, and spends her life in pain and fear and isolation because of it, finding out later that it's "just" anxiety isn't fair to the many people who DO have those illnesses who are misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depressive disorders. Mellie insisting on her medical reality, only for us to find out that she was a bit delusional and in denial leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

All in all, not a boring or unappealing book, just one with a lot of pieces that might have needed a bit more love, care, and questioning.

I LOVED Morrell’s first middle grade novel, Kingdom of Secrets, so when she reached out for me to read her newest, I jumped at the chance! What is so interesting is how one author can come up with two completely different types of stories–two sides of the speculative coin, if you will. But man, does she knock this one out of the park, too. It is a mind bender of a story that, through red herrings, multiple points of view, and limited narrators, keeps you on your toes all the way until the end! There is so much to delve into with this book, and it is super engaging on top of it all. Another stellar middle grade novel!

I had a lot of fun reading this book. I loved both Mellie and Trex (though I kept stumbling over his name and calling him T. Rex). It was easy to get drawn into the small town of Hopewell with its Mom Squad and the statue of the Unnamed Girl.

Mellie’s shyness and loneliness both resonated with me, too. I love that the story is partly her journey toward better understanding herself and her own needs. The friendship between her and Trex is so sweet, too. I loved the way they both needed each other for different reasons. And the way that pursuing a mystery brought them together.

Another thing that will stick with me is the note from the author about her own experience with anxiety and being an introvert. I love that she shared something so personal and the way her own life intersects (and differs from) Mellie’s experiences. The note was really gentle and encouraging. I know that for me at the age Mellie is in the story, being an introvert wasn’t something that was really celebrated, especially at school. So I love that there’s some focus and encouragement for introverted readers.

I think readers who enjoy books like FLORA & ULYSSES by Kate DiCamillo or HONESTLY ELLIOT by Gillian McDunn will enjoy TREX.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Trex is a typical kid, except that he has an experimental brain implant. The technology behind the brain implant make this an engaging science fiction book for middle grade readers. And some great discussion starters about the ethics of technology and what is required to make technological advances.

I thought the multiple POVs of the story were easy to follow as they moved back and forth from Trex to Millie to Brick. I won't spoil anything, but I really liked how the author wrapped things up for the characters in the last couple chapters.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. I absolutely enjoyed Mellie and Trex’s characters. This is a fast paced middle grade book. It is thrilling and enjoyable. I absolutely adored this book. I would definitely highly highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves middle grade books or absolutely enjoys adventures. This book will be in stores on August 30th for $16.99 (USD).

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, and Christyne Morrell for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!

Trex is just a typical kid, except that he had an experimental brain implant so he carries an electrical charge in his fingertips. He moves around a lot with his mom and lands in Hopewell, where he meets the mysterious Mellie. She has struggles of her own with severe anxiety. The two find each other and even though they don't exactly get along at first, they learn how they can help each other. They start working together to figure out who is prowling around in their neighborhood...what secrets can they uncover?

For fans of Stranger Things, this middle grade book is a twisty-fun plot told from multiple perspectives (Trex, Mellie, and Brick).

TREX is a rare kidlit sci-fi. It has a contemporary setting and some very advanced (not exactly ethically handled) technology. I love finding sci-fi in MG and YA as I love STEM in books.

This is a book about two kids trying to find a way to fit comfortably with themselves when they're not "normal." It's also a book about evil corporations exploiting the vulnerable to do things they know are unethical so need to step around the law to do.

Trex and Mellie's growing friendship is the heart of the book, two people who have been made outsiders by continual moving and paranoia (Trex) and not being like the others so is bullied (Mellie.) They have ups and downs, both lashing out at the other in order to protect themselves, but also standing up for one another. And, eventually, they come to terms with the things that don't "fit in with the cool kids" (who are pretty mean), and through that find true friendship with each other.

There's also a mystery in this book, investigated by detective Mellie and her sidekick Trex, about a mysterious prowler lurking in their neighbourhood - and you get glimmers from the prowler's perspective for added threat. While you know that eventually The Company are going to catch up with Trex, the question is when and how will Trex and Mellie get out of the situation. And what big secrets are going to come out in the process? (Some are very big!)

The ending was really nice, balancing a hopeful, happy tone with also the realities of what had happened. It wasn't exactly where I thought the children would be, but it felt it gave them both chances to find out more about themselves and grow.

Trex by Christyne Morrell follows 12-year-old Trex after moving to a new town with his mother. Trex just wants to be a "normal" kid, but an accident as a child has left him with an experimental brain that saved his life but came with odd side effects. The book also follows Mellie, a budding detective who is determined to figure out just what's up with her new neighbor Trex.

I loved this book. I found the characters to be fun and endearing and the storyline to be exciting and engaging. I don't feel like the subject matter was "dumbed down" for children, but it also felt age-appropriate. The plot was fun with an interesting twist, and I found myself routing for Trex and Mellie throughout.

I loved the conversation surrounding anxiety as well as the different topics that the two main characters had to deal with, including bullying from other schoolchildren as well as feeling like outsiders in their community.

Highly recommend for adult lovers of middle grade as well as kids who love real-life adventure with a sci-fi twist! Fans of mysteries will also love this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Delacourt Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I super, duper loved this book. In fact, I’m OBSESSED. It’s a fantastic story about self-confidence, disabilities, anxiety, friendship, family, and finding the confidence to love yourself AND your ‘perceived flaws.’ There’s a wonderful dynamic between Mellie and Trex, and I love that their day-to-day is relatable for kids in middle school. I adored the mystery elements to the story, and especially how Mellie sleuths out the truth behind the mysterious The Prowler and The Company. This is the perfect book for fans of shows like ‘Stranger Things’ and for lovers of books like ‘Sherlock Holmes.’ There’s so much fun in these pages I absolutely could not put it down. I’m 36 years old, but this story had me totally enamored and engulfed in the character development and plot. I think it’s brilliant the way the author introduces concepts of anxiety along with coping methods for feeling sad or overwhelmed (including a therapeutic grounding game, therapy, and medication.) And I love that Trex’s journey includes living with a disability, accepting this disability, using a ‘mobility aid’ of sorts (it’s unconventional, and maybe not so literal, but the concept… it’s there!) and ongoing medical care. It’s honestly all so thoughtful and so fun and fast-paced. I finished it in less than a day’s reading, because I didn’t want to do anything else until Iw as done :) I hope there are further adventures in this world, though it is also absolutely perfect as a one-off, standalone. Parents adn caregivers will also love the note from the author at the end, which opens up a little dialogue about how it’s okay not to be okay, and how asking for help can get you what you need. Honestly, I have no complaints about this at all. It was delightful!

This was okay. The multiple perspectives gave the novel some mystery and intrigue, but I still kind of lost interest in some parts. I'm happy to know about this and will recommend, but it's not list worthy.

Eight years ago, Trex Wilson should have died in the car accident that claimed his father’s life. Instead, he was given a second chance thanks to the heroic efforts of The Company, which replaced some of Trex’s brain with extraordinary new biotechnology. Trex is now entering middle school, and he is trying to be as normal as possible despite the fact that he and his mother have been running from The Company for as long as he can remember. Even as he strives to lead a normal life, though, Trex’s abilities are changing in ways he does not understand, and he will do whatever it takes to find the answers he seeks.

This compelling middle grade novel expertly combines the very real feelings of being ostracized and unfairly judged with some of the potential side effects of biotechnological advancements. Told from three perspectives, the narrative gives readers a wide view of the events taking place within the story, and as each character speaks in the first person, readers can easily settle into all of their feelings and beliefs. Though each segment is given a header reflecting the speaker’s name, their individual voices are unique enough to be easily recognized by the narrative alone. Readers will especially appreciate how the story unfolds because its intentional design guides readers down crooked paths filled with unexpected twists and turns.

While the prospect of having one’s brain enhanced at four years old is far reaching in the present day, the underlying aspects of the human condition that are incorporated within this novel are poignant and thought-provoking. Mellie, Trex’s friend, suffers from crippling stomach aches when she is feeling anxious, and Trex is afraid to get close to others for fear of revealing his own secret. Both of these realities serve to connect Trex and Millie to one another while alienating them from their peers who are unwilling to look beyond initial appearances. Middle school readers will recognize the feeling of not fitting in with others, and they are sure to relate to Trex and Millie even if readers do not find themselves in identical circumstances. Filled with heart, adventure, and a highly intriguing mystery, this book is a captivating and superb addition to the canon of literature for middle grade readers.

↓ Similar Reads ↓

1. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
2. The Clackity by Lora Senf
3. The Art of Magic by Hannah Voskuil

Official publication date: 30 August 2022

Trex is a walking scientific experiment with a unique brain transplant that has an odd side effect: sometimes electricity shoots out of his fingers. Mellie is the school outcast with far too much free time to spy on her neighbors, learn all of their secrets, and hone her Sherkockian deduction skills. The two are forced into a friendship of convenience in order to uncover the mysterious figure prowling around their neighborhood. Could it be a spy sent from The Company, the scientists who saved Trex with their technology but now see him as their rightful property? Or is someone else spying on the children of Hopewell?

In this middle grade read, Christyne Morrell blends fun science fiction elements with an intriguing mystery plot. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns that occur as the characters dig deeper into The Case of the Hopewell Hill Prowler. The rising action in the latter half of the book following a major reveal had me on the edge of my seat. This book was able to surprise me, get me laughing aloud, and it warmed my heart.

The growing friendship between Mellie and Trex was brilliant. Each character was in desperate need of a friend, and I am oddly happy the existence of a neighborhood prowler brought them together. Their dialogue was believable and funny. I loved that the reader is given access into each of their perspectives as well. Multiple POVs 100% suited the narrative structure, and it gave insight into the insecurities that both children were experiencing alone before they met each other.

This is a lovely middle grade full of advanced technology, shady characters, and found friendship.

Thank you so much to Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press and #Netgalley for gifting me an ARC of Trex by Christyne Morrell in exchange for this honest review!

A truly exceptional and catchy book for children and adults alike. Following the story from multiple points of view, it presents the adventures of a young boy with an experimental brain implant. Having special powers and dealing with a not-so-friendly medical company is where similarities with Stranger Things end, but the plot is unique on its own. It will appeal to children who feel like they don't belong and to readers of detective stories, while diving into heavier subjects such as living with a mental illness, death, and adoption. The skilled author managed to create a plot that is not easily predictable, with twists and turns, and at times suspenseful. The relatable characters and their adventure make for a highly recommended middle grade book.

Man, I would’ve loved this in middle school. I still liked it now!! I just would have especially loved it in middle school.

I was in middle school when STRANGER THINGS first came out and I was basically Mellie so, yeah, twelve year old me would’ve eaten this up.

And I still loved all of that now! I loved the rep in Mellie and I loved Trex’s burgeoning powers and their friendship and I am SUCH a sucker for the “there’s-something-strange-going-on-here-but-we-can’t-quite-put-our-finger-on-what-it-is” trope and I loved it here.

Good for fans of Netflix’s STRANGER THINGS, Richard Paul Evans’ MICHAEL VEY series, and Lisa Thompson’s GOLDFISH BOY.