Calamity Jack
by Shannon & Dean Hale

    CALAMITY JACK by Shannon & Dean Hale
    Illustrated by:  Nathan Hale
    Category:  Manga/Comics/Pop Fiction
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  1/5/10
    Publisher:  Bloomsbury
    Reviewed by:  Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Jack has long been a trickster - he's just not had the best of luck. When a heist involving magic beans, a
    beanstalk, and giants goes wrong, Jack leaves town. After his adventures with Rapunzel (in RAPUNZEL’S
    REVENGE), Jack returns home to Shyport only to discover that the giant, Blunderboar, is in charge, the city is in
    ruins thanks to an infestation of ant people, and his mother is being held captive and is in charge of baking bones
    into bread. It's up to Jack and Rapunzel to save the day!

    I'm often asked to give booktalks on great books for tweens and I always inlcude the Hale's first graphic novel
    outing, RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE (and now CALAMITY JACK!).  These two books are a librarian's dream
    come true! The Hales combine witty dialogue, action and adventure, beautifully detailed artwork, and lots of
    humor to create the perfect graphic novel. I would give this one to anyone who is not convinced in the value of
    graphic novels or anyone who's a newbie to the style. (And of course old fans, too!)

    The fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk is given the steampunk treatment in CALAMITY JACK, and those
    looking for a great adventure read will devour this one. There's even a cute bit of romance thrown in, so I think
    this book will have wide appeal. It is a sequel to RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE, but readers don't necessarily have
    to read the first one to pick this one up. The book starts with Jack's past and gives us a little information on how
    Jack and Rapunzel met, so I doubt readers will feel lost.

    As I mentioned, the dialogue is very witty - there were a few lines I just had to read aloud to my husband
    because they were too great to keep to myself. The artwork is very detailed - young Jack is pictured with his
    tongue out while thinking and we get a glimpse that he hasn't lost this habit as an adult. It's this attention to detail
    that make the art stand out. The text and illustrations pair perfectly and work together, which makes this an
    excellent example of a graphic novel. (And be sure to check out the inside cover page for a peek at our authors
    and illustrator snuck into the artwork.)

    This is a book to share, to pass around to friends, and re-read, because each time you'll see something new. I'm
    hoping we can look forward to more graphic novels from this creative team - I'd love to see their take on other
    fairy tales.