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maryehavens's review against another edition
2.0
Very quick read, even for a graphic novel.
The concept was interesting - the physical manifestation of a weather phenomenon so humans could, essentially, control their destiny/solve a problem.
The blurb for this graphic novel stated that it was “sparse” and that is certainly true. It was a little too sparse for me. I suppose it’s meant to be isolating as I’m sure it was incredibly isolating during the Dust Bowl.
I like Phelan’s concepts and I like his art but this particular story didn’t wow me. I enjoyed his reasoning behind writing this story more than the actual story.
The concept was interesting - the physical manifestation of a weather phenomenon so humans could, essentially, control their destiny/solve a problem.
The blurb for this graphic novel stated that it was “sparse” and that is certainly true. It was a little too sparse for me. I suppose it’s meant to be isolating as I’m sure it was incredibly isolating during the Dust Bowl.
I like Phelan’s concepts and I like his art but this particular story didn’t wow me. I enjoyed his reasoning behind writing this story more than the actual story.
lizaroo71's review
3.0
a graphic novel set in kansas during the 1930's. the young boy at the center of the story has been raised largely during the drought and so can not prove his worth to his father. he is something of a disappointment to the father as he does not seem like a man capable of taking care of his sisters.
the young boy discovers rain in an abadoned barn and is trying to figure out how to coax the rain out onto the plains.
a quick and interesting fable of growing up during this horrific time period.
the young boy discovers rain in an abadoned barn and is trying to figure out how to coax the rain out onto the plains.
a quick and interesting fable of growing up during this horrific time period.
swtmarie's review
3.0
I enjoyed the illustrations in this graphic novel and thought that Phelan did a good job of showing characters' emotions throughout the story. While I like the idea of it being set up during the Dust Bowl years, I was a little confused at the story line and the bad "Rain" monster the protagonist has to overcome. It was a little annoying how the parents, i.e. the dad, was so mean to his son and treating him as a useless human being. They used his age and him growing up at the wrong time as a reason why the dad treated him poorly and unfairly.
While the jackrabbit scene was a little strange, I like how Phelan shows the true emotion of each of the hardened characters and the slight tinge of blood on their bats and the instant red panel to show the carnage they wrought upon the poor defenseless rabbits. That was my favorite part of the story.....that and the creepiness of "Rain" coming after the boy at the top of the windmill. It reminded me of a horror story and in ways it really was.
While the jackrabbit scene was a little strange, I like how Phelan shows the true emotion of each of the hardened characters and the slight tinge of blood on their bats and the instant red panel to show the carnage they wrought upon the poor defenseless rabbits. That was my favorite part of the story.....that and the creepiness of "Rain" coming after the boy at the top of the windmill. It reminded me of a horror story and in ways it really was.
rdyourbookcase's review
5.0
I have seen this book go by so many times at work and it never caught my interest. The only reason I picked it up was because I saw it on the list for best children’s graphic novels. I’m so glad I did! This book needs a better cover.
It was kind of historical fiction fantasy. Or maybe historical fiction magical realism. I don’t know which. Goodreads described it as a tall tale - I like that. I definitely loved the story. The art and use of color was amazing, too. It did a great job of showing time and location.
Even if readers don’t like historical fiction, they should give this book a chance!
elidavis's review
4.0
a graphic novel of a kid's experience during the Dust Bowl told with a magical realistic quality.
librariandest's review against another edition
2.0
There are some haunting images in this tall tale about a boy facing down the terror of the Dust Bowl. But it didn't feel like a satsifying story to me. I liked the connections to the Wizard of Oz, tall tales, and the detail about the jackrabbits--but I never really got into it. Maybe I read it too fast (I tend to do that with graphic novels). Or maybe first-time author Matt Phelan overused familiar tropes: the disappointed father, the sickly but brave sister, the kindly storekeeper who protects our hero from one-dimensional bullies. The art was great, but a story like this could have had a lot more depth. I felt like it ended before it really began.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Nice bit of fantasy merging with historical fiction. It would be a great piece to add to a unit on the
Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.
Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.
lorathelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I love graphic novels that divert from the typical superhero comic book format and that is exactly what this book does. It takes a moment from U.S. history and tells the story beautifully with a bit of a magical element.
Jack is an eleven year old boy living in the midwest during the Dust Bowl. He's picked on, has a sick sister, and watching his entire community shrink in despair from all the dust. He soon discovers something in an abandon barn that just may help, but people start to think he has dust dementia and this discredits and depresses Jack even more.
The illustrations are soft, yet hard and jagged when the mood of the story becomes harsh and desperate. The lack of color really helps to paint the tone of the Dust Bowl as well.
I loved how this book is simple enough for elementary kids to grasp, but has enough details and more complex themes that teens can take something from it as well. A great alternative graphic novel.
Jack is an eleven year old boy living in the midwest during the Dust Bowl. He's picked on, has a sick sister, and watching his entire community shrink in despair from all the dust. He soon discovers something in an abandon barn that just may help, but people start to think he has dust dementia and this discredits and depresses Jack even more.
The illustrations are soft, yet hard and jagged when the mood of the story becomes harsh and desperate. The lack of color really helps to paint the tone of the Dust Bowl as well.
I loved how this book is simple enough for elementary kids to grasp, but has enough details and more complex themes that teens can take something from it as well. A great alternative graphic novel.
ajaggers324's review against another edition
5.0
The pictures are fantastic. There are certain pages where the panels are simply astounding in the depth of information conveyed without words. There is one page with four images of the main character's father's face. That was a powerful page for me. The story is also really interesting. I would highly recommend this story for all ages.