by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and illustrated by Nathan Hale
Bloomsbury, 2010
144 pages
Graphic Novel
Source: ARC provided by the publisher
Summary in a Sentence:
In this graphic novel interpretation of "Jack and the beanstalk," Jack is a born schemer who climbs a magical beanstalk in the hope of exacting justice from a mean giant and gaining a fortune for his widowed mother, aided by some friends.
My Thoughts:
This is my first experience with a graphic novel aimed at the middle grade audience. I would say it's definitely out of my comfort zone, but Shannon Hale, however, is not. I first discovered Hale's work at the Southern Festival of Books a few years back shortly after her release of Austenland.
The book contains just enough elements of the original fairy-tale to be recognizable while creating new characterizations and worlds that lend the story a fresh new spin. And the illustrations! They are absolutely fabulous:
Author Hale's website offers a helpful look into the world of Calamity Jack, especially helpful for people who haven't read Rapunzel's Revenge yet.
I'm so glad that graphic novels are finally getting their due both in the publishing and educational spheres. For those of you who still pshaw at the idea of graphic novels' importance, check out this article from School Library Journal. So there!
*Note* Our ARCS were in black-and-white, so I can't wait to witness the novel in all its full-color glory.
You might also like:
- Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
- Cat Burglar Black by Richard Sala
- The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells (Classics Illustrated Version)
Other reviewers on the blog tour:
Sally Apokedak, Reading is my Superpower, firesidemusings.blogspot.com, Through the Looking Glass Book Review , Booking Mama, Cafe of Dreams, Becky’s Book Reviews, The Hungry Readers, The Friendly Book Book, My Own Little Corner of the World, Book Blather, GreenBeanTeenQueen, Book Crumbs , Abby (the) Librarian, Dolce Bellezza, Homeschoolbuzz.com, The Book Cellar, Carrie’s YA Bookshelf, Bookshelf Monstrosity, Everyday Reading, Frenetic Reader, KidzBookBuzz.com, Maw Books
Visit Shannon's website here.
6 comments:
I'm a little scared to read these GNs because Austenland left such a bad taste in my mouth last year and it was my first experience with Hale.
I SO love the idea of this! I've been meaning to read Shannon Hale for a while, and I totally love graphic novels! SO for me! :-)
I like Shannon Hale's writing too, and didn't know that she had any graphic novels.
I loved Rapunzel's Revenge, I can't wait to read this!
I liked RR too. My daughter loved it. This one looks just as good. Thanks for including pictures!
I liked Rapunzel's Revenge. It was a very nicely done fractured fairytale. Looking forward to reading Calamity Jack.
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