Calamity Jack

 

 Bibliography

Hale, Shannon, and Dean Hale. 2010. Ill. by Nathan Hale. Calamity Jack. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781599900766

Plot Summary

Calamity Jack is the exciting and fantastical story of Jack, a criminal mastermind.  When Jack discovers that his mother is being forced to make free bread for the giant, Blunderboar, he decides to teach the giant a lesson by stealing some of his valuables.  Jack uses a magic beanstalk to reach Blunderboar’s floating fortress, but when the beanstalk grows too big, Jack must make a quick getaway. Jack later returns to Shyport and realizes that Blunderboar has taken over the whole town and is holding his mother captive.  Jack, aided by a quirky band of friends, quickly formulates a plan to save his mother and get rid of Blunderboar forever. Calamity Jack is a unique take on the classic Jack and the Beanstalk tale.

Critical analysis

Shannon and Dean Hale have created a unique and exciting story in the graphic novel, Calamity Jack. Readers follow along as Jack, Rapunzel, and a couple of other loyal friends embark on an exciting journey to save Jack’s mother and their town. The story is full of fantasy and action with just a touch of romance.

Readers will root for Jack and Rapunzel as they struggle to defeat the giant, Blunderboar, and his league of minions. Jack admits that he is not perfect, but his desire to change makes him a likeable character. Jack's longing for approval and acceptance from his mother and Rapunzel will resonate with anyone that has ever sought forgiveness for poor choices. Rapunzel is a refreshing depiction of a strong female heroin. The Hales present Rapunzel as Jack’s equal and avoid the stereotypical “damsel in distress” scenario, thus creating an appealing story for both boys and girls alike.

The Hales’ combination of larger-than-life characters with the urban, old west creates a thrilling fantasy world. The authors’ use of onomatopoeia brings the text to life and adds excitement to the story. Calamity Jack contains minimal text, so most teens will have little trouble reading the story. Terms and phrases associated with the time period pepper the dialogue, adding authenticity to the story.

Nathan Hale does a brilliant job bringing the fantasy world of Shyport to life. He combines images associated with the old west, like period clothing, buildings, trains, and dirt roads with fantasy elements, like floating skyscrapers and giant creatures. Hale’s illustrations are vivid and detailed and are critical to the story.

Calamity Jack is based on the classic theme of good triumphing over evil. Although Jack was at once a thief, he attempts to mend his ways and save his mother and city from the giant. Despite Jack’s flaws, he is still the “good guy,” so readers can’t help but cheer for him as he defeats the evil Blunderboar in this exciting twist on Jack and the Beanstalk.

Awards

*YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2011

Reviews

Booklist, 2009: “Shannon and Dean Hale have done an excellent job stretching the bones of the traditional fable into a high-action coming-of-age story that will keep young teen readers excited and engaged.”

Kirkus Reviews, 2009: “Readers will relish this gleeful mix of fairy tale, adventure and romance.’”

VOYA, 2009: “Nathan Hale (no relation) continues to draw in a clear and energetic style equally suited to the steampunk city as to the Wild West. Fans of the previous book will be happy to see this new installment, which should handily garner new fans as well.”

Connections

* Share Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale.

*Ask students to write a short essay about what they think happens to Jack and Rapunzel after they return to Shyport.

*Ask students to share some ideas for other modern or unique versions of classic stories.

When You Reach Me

Bibliography

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 9780385737425

Plot Summary

When Miranda receives a mysterious letter that says “I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own,” she is alarmed and intrigued. At the request of the letter writer, Miranda writes her own letter, detailing the events of the last few months. As events unfold, Miranda pieces together the mystery and discovers that the future offers fantastic possibilities, including time travel.

Critical Analysis

In When Your Reach Me, Rebecca Stead flawlessly combines mystery and fantasy with typical childhood experiences, thus creating a unique and intriguing story of self-sacrifice. When Miranda begins to receive a series of mysterious letters and clues about the future, she starts to examine everything around her in hopes that something will reveal the identity of the letter writer. Although Miranda isn’t sure why, she suspects that the homeless man outside of her apartment building, whom she calls “the laughing man,” is an important clue to the mystery. What's more, she senses that her discussions about time travel with a boy named Marcus are also significant. Miranda finds the idea of time travel hard to believe, but in the end she discovers that anything is possible.

Stead has created a savvy and likeable character in twelve-year-old Miranda. Miranda's loyalty to her mother and friends is endearing. Children will relate to her curiosity and desire to solve the mystery as well as her longing to forge lasting friendships. Miranda’s disbelief in time travel will resonate with children that are skeptical of such fantastical ideas and makes her a more credible character.

When You Reach me is a contemporary story with a fantasy twist. Stead does not create a fantasy world, but rather inserts fantastical elements into a realistic world. Children will easily understand and relate to the characters and their urban setting. The story is told through first-person narrative, as Miranda writes the letter. In her writings, she recounts all of the events that have led up to the present. She details how she eventually unraveled the mystery and learned of Marcus’ ability to travel through time.

Miranda’s neighborhood is integral to the plot because that is where the most critical events in the story take place. Stead does an excellent job of transporting readers to 1970's Manhattan. Her references to décor, fashion, and various locations help readers visualize the setting and lend credibility to the story. Stead also introduces readers to 70’s popular culture as Miranda’s mom practices for the game show The $20,000 Pyramid.

When You Reach Me is an intriguing story that begs to be read over and over. Although younger readers may be confused by some of the dialogue pertaining to time travel, Stead ties up any loose ends in the final chapters of the book. Stead does not go into great detail about how time travel is possible, she merely acknowledges that it is possible. Although the science behind time travel leaves some questions, Stead still manages to provide a thoroughly satisfying ending.

Awards

*Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature: Winner, 2010

*John Newbery Medal: Winner, 2010

*Parent’s Choice Award, 2009

Reviews

Booklist Starred Review, 2009: “The ’70s New York setting is an honest reverberation of the era; the mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children and adults, are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest. Just as Miranda rereads L’Engle, children will return to this.”

Kirkus Reviews, 2009: “Some might guess at the baffling, heart-pounding conclusion, but when all the sidewalk characters from Miranda's Manhattan world converge amid mind-blowing revelations and cunning details, teen readers will circle back to the beginning and say, ‘Wow...cool.’”

Library Media Connection, 2009: “The author’s style is appealing because of her character development and clever plot vehicles. The topics are interesting and the short chapters keep the pace flowing quickly. Recommended.”

Connections

¬  Read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine l’ Engle, then discuss the similarities and differences between the two stories.

¬  Ask student to write an essay about a moment in time they would revisit and what, if anything, they would change or do differently.

¬  If possible, share some clips of The $20,000 Pyramid and then divide children up into pairs to play the game.

¬  Share other books by Rebecca Stead, including: First Light and Liar & Spy

Speak

Bibliography

Anderson, Laurie Halse, and Mandy Siegfried. 2004. Speak. New York: Random House/Listening Library.ISBN 9781400089987

Plot Summary

A traumatic event at a summer party changes Melinda Sordino’s life forever.  She begins high school without any friends or sense of purpose, so she isolates herself and rarely speaks to anyone. As Melinda struggles to complete a semester-long art project, she comes to terms with what happened to her and eventually finds her voice. In this dark, yet inspiring story, Laurie Halse Anderson weaves a mysterious and inspiring tale about finding inner strength among the pressures of high school.

Critical Analysis

In Anderson’s debut novel, she brilliantly captures the struggles of dealing with trauma and the insecurities of adolescence.  As Melinda begins her freshman year of high school, she desperately tries to forget about being raped at a summer party. Feeling alone, Melinda closes herself off from the people around her, she worries that no one will understand or believe her. The more Melinda isolates herself, the less she is able to "speak."

Speak is written in first-person narrative, so readers are able to connect with Melinda and see the world through her eyes. At the beginning of the story, Melinda describes how all of her friends have stopped talking to her after she called the cops to the party. Over the course of the school year, Melinda recalls the events of that night and ultimately comes to terms with what happened. Anderson creates mystery and excitement in the story by slowly releasing the details about Melinda’s traumatic event.

 Although the subject matter is dark, Anderson flawlessly integrates humor into the story with Melinda’s sarcastic view of teenage life. Readers will relate to Melinda’s struggle with friends, parents, teachers, and school. Her references to the coach/teacher dubbed “Mr. Neck” will resonate with readers that have had comparable teachers. Melinda’s observations of her parents, and their seemingly unhappy marriage, will also feel familiar to some readers. Although the character Andy Evans is rather unsavory, Anderson does not bog down the story with moral judgments or stereotypes. Melinda is comforted by her unconventional art teacher, Mr. Freeman, and fellow student, David Petrakis. As Melinda struggles to find her voice, she transitions from a desperate and broken character into one that is more empowered and confident .

Anderson does a fine job of describing Syracuse, New York and Melinda’s surroundings, yet she does not get caught up in the details. Readers from various parts of the world are able to visualize and relate to the story because it has an “any town” feel. Anderson’s use of dialogue is relevant and universal. Readers now and in the future will relate to the characters because the story is not associated with any specific time period. 

About the Audiobook

Speak is an engrossing story and the audiobook version will keep listeners interested until the very end. Mandy Siegfried does an exceptional job narrating the fairly short (5 hour) story. The sincerity and emotion in Siegfried’s voice provides a credible portrayal of Melinda. Listeners are able to visualize Melinda’s fear, sadness, and insecurities in Siegfried’s performance.

Awards

¬  Michael L. Printz Award:  Honor Book, 2000

¬  Golden Kite Award, 2000

¬  Los Angeles Time Book Prize: Finalist, 1999

Reviews

Booklist, 1999: “In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers.”

Kirkus Reviews, 1999: “The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.”

The ALAN Review, Winter 2000: “The wonderfully descriptive language, along with the suspense, capture and propel the reader through this tale.”

Connections

*Discuss post-traumatic stress disorder. Pass out a list of non-fiction books about rape and post-traumatic stress disorder. Include information for rape hotlines. Some book titles include:

·        Frequently Asked Questions About Date Rape by Tamra Orr

·        Recovering From Rape by Linda E. Ledray

·        Real Girl/Real World: Tools for Finding Your True Self by Heather M. Gray

·        Post-Traumatic Stress by Carrie Fredericks

*Ask students to draw a tree that is representative of their life and/or the way they feel.

*Ask students to write a brief summary of the book and what advice they would give to Melinda.