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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.
mallorykjorgensen's review against another edition
5.0
Awards Won: Scott O'Dell
Age Level: 9-12
This book has amazing illustrations! This story is based on the Dust Bowl, so both historical fiction and fantasy elements occur.
Age Level: 9-12
This book has amazing illustrations! This story is based on the Dust Bowl, so both historical fiction and fantasy elements occur.
greenrain's review against another edition
4.0
Very well done story about the Dust Bowl. The personification of rain was a beautiful way to illustrate how the Dust Bowl was perceived by children.
sc104906's review against another edition
5.0
Set during the dust bowl in Kansas. A boy and his family are having hard times, due to the overwhelming dust and the inability to grow crops. Jack's sister is sick with dust pneumonia. Jack is constantly being shoved out of the way and now people believe that he is afflicted with dust dementia. When will the rain return?
The pictures and plot were awesome. I liked the mixture of fantasy and history. GoodReads win!
The pictures and plot were awesome. I liked the mixture of fantasy and history. GoodReads win!
katy_irene's review against another edition
4.0
A powerful story with sparse language. It's a combination of historical fiction, thriller, and American Folklore. The color palette so suits the Dust Bowl temporal setting. I love the harsh lines on the father's face-- something about it reminds me of my own ancestors. Even though it's a story that resonates with me, I'm not sure it will appeal to children. Some readers might want more action, humor, or color. I might not recommend it to graphic novel readers, but I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction. Wonderfully unique.
This story would pair nicely with Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust .
This story would pair nicely with Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust .
plaidpladd's review against another edition
3.0
At first I wasn't sure about this art style, but it really worked for the story.
lisa_mc's review against another edition
4.0
What a neat book! This is a graphic novel set in Dust Bowl-era Kansas, and it tells the tale of Jack. Jack's family is about ready to give up and leave the dusty prairie -- nothing grows, and Jack's sister Dorothy is suffering from dust pneumonia. When Jack stumbles into a barn abandoned by neighbors, he finds something unexpected -- and otherworldly. The art is superb -- ink and watercolor in muted, dusty tones that give it a look unlike comic books (so don't be prejudiced by the term "graphic novel"). The story weaves in elements of American folk tales/tall tales, and bits of the Oz stories as well -- the historical and magical angles combined with the wonderful art make this a book worth looking at.
lady_mair's review against another edition
4.0
New favorite graphic novelist = Matt Phelan. I enjoy the variety of historical elements he brings to his stories (Dust Bowl, Buster Keaton, Snow White but in the Roaring 20's, etc.) I also appreciate his brilliant use of color and his overall art style.