Scan barcode
book_concierge's review
3.0
Phelan has illustrated other books, including a Newbery Medal winner. This is his first attempt at a graphic novel. Inspired by the “stark photography of Dorothea Lange and Arthur Rothstein” he decided to focus on the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
It’s a little bit of historical fiction, mixed with fantasy. Jack Clark is a young boy on a Kansas farm, bullied at school and not considered bit enough to really help by his father. He feels dejected and useless. In addition, the family is worried about his sister, Dorothy, who has a lingering cough and escapes reading various Oz books by Frank L Baum. When a neighboring farm is abandoned, he begins to notice odd occurrences in the shut-up barn.
There are some very spooky goings on in this book, with a fantastical Storm King that the young Jack must defeat in order to get the rains to come again.
The illustrations are marvelously detailed, and yet stark enough to give a feel for the desolation and destruction of the 1930s dust storms. They also lend to the feeling of uselessness and despair that Jack experiences.
The fight with the Storm King is terrifying enough, but the scene that really disturbed me (more hinted at than graphically depicted) is one where the men get together to kill the jackrabbits that are eating what little the farmers are able to grow. I know this is a realistic scene, as I’ve read other books that depicted this. But those books were for adults, and I find it really disturbing in a children’s book. At least Phelan shows that everyone feels remorse over their actions … even the mean bullies who participate seem to realize that they ‘ve been unnecessarily cruel, and shed a tear or two.
It’s a little bit of historical fiction, mixed with fantasy. Jack Clark is a young boy on a Kansas farm, bullied at school and not considered bit enough to really help by his father. He feels dejected and useless. In addition, the family is worried about his sister, Dorothy, who has a lingering cough and escapes reading various Oz books by Frank L Baum. When a neighboring farm is abandoned, he begins to notice odd occurrences in the shut-up barn.
There are some very spooky goings on in this book, with a fantastical Storm King that the young Jack must defeat in order to get the rains to come again.
The illustrations are marvelously detailed, and yet stark enough to give a feel for the desolation and destruction of the 1930s dust storms. They also lend to the feeling of uselessness and despair that Jack experiences.
The fight with the Storm King is terrifying enough, but the scene that really disturbed me (more hinted at than graphically depicted) is one where the men get together to kill the jackrabbits that are eating what little the farmers are able to grow. I know this is a realistic scene, as I’ve read other books that depicted this. But those books were for adults, and I find it really disturbing in a children’s book. At least Phelan shows that everyone feels remorse over their actions … even the mean bullies who participate seem to realize that they ‘ve been unnecessarily cruel, and shed a tear or two.
johnnymacaroni's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a blend of history and folklore and fantasy. The artwork is amazing. I really like how Phelan used color for emotion and tone. The whole book (text and illustrations) is sparse but packs a big whallop with story, character and emotion
lannthacker's review against another edition
3.0
A nice piece of historical fiction, with some violence. A bit of fantasy keeps it interesting.
kristenremenar's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic novel about the Dust Bowl years through the eyes of Jack, a boy with no use, now that the dust has taken away the farm. Drawn with a sparseness that matches the time period, I felt really pulled in, especially to parts like the awful jackrabbit drive. I found the rain god part at the end a little off-kilter (I so enjoyed the historical accuracy that the fantasy tie-in felt added on) and some times I had to reread the frames to catch what was going on in the barn, but it's beautifully done and fantastically brings the Dust Bowl to life.
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the sequencing in this story--speedy frames for fast-moving action, long slow frames for exploded moments. Elementary/middle school teachers: this would be a great read in tandem with Dust Bowl non-fiction and Dorothea Lange photos.
kelleemoye's review
4.0
I am not a big fan of magical realism. I like my books to either be fantasy or realistic. However, in this book, Matt Phelan mixes the historical story of the Dust Bowl perfectly with a bit of magic that he throws in. He adds it in almost as a legend to fit with his sister's Oz stories and Ernie's Jack stories. And once again, Phelan's watercolor illustrations were beautiful.
pkadams's review
2.0
This graphic novel set in Kansas dust bowl during the depression has at the root of the story an 11 year old boy who desperately wants to feel useful to his family -- who have been brought to their knees by the land, dust, and drought. Phelan does a good job convening the despair and anguish Americans felt during this time. Although it won the Scott O'Dell award for historical fiction, I was expecting more. It was a fine library read, but I wouldn't buy it.
ketchikrista's review
4.0
This is a great new American Tall Tale. It would be a great story to introduce students into writing their own. And the fact that it is a graphic novel really engages you.