Calamity Jack

Full Bibliographic Data: Calamity Jack

Authors: Dean Hale & Shannon Hale

Illustrator: Nathan Hale

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Place of Publication: New York

Date of Publication: 2010

ISBN: 978-1599900766

Summary: Meet Jack. “Born to scheme”, Jack lives a colorful life speckled with plots, partners and “unexpected consequences”. After losing his father to “the fever” Jack is determined to make his “Momma” proud but his idea of valiant efforts tends to differ from that of his mother’s. After a failed attempt at what would have been one of Jack’s grandest heists, Jack leaves his mother, and his hometown, in shambles with the hopes that when he returns he will be able to rectify all his wrongs. When he does return he has a girl on his arm and a plan in mind; though things rarely go according to plans as seen in Jack’s case. However, when it is all said and done, Jack manages to right his wrongs, and step into a new role as “one of the good guys” as his girl, Rapunzel, calls him.

Review: Review: This cleverly spun story delivers it all – from giants who masquerade as ant people in an effort to monopolize a city, to a western gal who knows how to use a lasso. There are even pixies and a golden egg laying goose! The setting is versatile – whether in the city where Jack is from or out west where he flees to temporarily readers will be able to recognize similarities to somewhere they have been or read about before.

What really shines about this graphic novel, however, is the way that the Hale’s are able to produce such contrasting dialects with wit and charm. Jack and his girl “Punzie” may be colorful characters with some stereotypical traits but their personalities are universal to anyone who has struggled to gain approval, stand up for what’s right, or explored new levels of possibility within a friendship. There is something in this read for everyone. Children will adore the action and vivid illustrations while older teens and adults will appreciate the witty humor that keeps this graphic novel rolling from page to page. In the end, a message of positive morale is solicited and everything turns out “just daisy”! A fine end to a fine read.

Review Excerpts:

“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” (Booklist, 2009).

“Readers will relish this gleeful mix of fairy tale, adventure and romance” (Kirkus, 2009).

Awards:

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2011 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2011 ; American Library Association; United States

Related Materials:

Official Site of Shannon Hale: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books.html

How the book began: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/jack_begin.html

ALA’s YALSA 2011 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens list: http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklists/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/ggnt11_topten