TWU LS 5603 - Fiction, Fantasy & YA - CALAMAITY JACK

Hale, Shannon, Dean Hale, and Nathan Hale. 2010. CALAMAITY JACK. New York: Bloomsbury.  ISBN 9781599900766

PLOT SUMMARY

In this graphic novel, Jack of the Beanstalk story and Rapunzel are united in fighting a crime wave in Jack’s hometown. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The main character, Jack, experiences a transformation from a life of scheming and trickery to becoming a good person, who wants what is best for his mother and his hometown.  Rapunzel is Jack’s love and she is the force that changes Jack after his mother is taken by the giant.

The story is organized in four parts in chronological order beginning with a look at Jack as a small child.  The journey starts with a variation on the beanstalk story with a giant being killed by Jack, Jack’s mother being taken by the main giant character, Blunderboar,  and Jack requiring action to rescue his mom. Jack fled the scene out to the West and found his friend, Rapunzel.  She returned with Jack to the town, Shyport,  to find it overrun with giant ants.  The illustrations are incredibly important in establishing the setting with its vibrant colors, close-up pictures that include the facial expressions of the characters, and action scenes that show the characters in mid air, traveling on a train or swinging from Rapunzel’s hair.

The theme is the personal journey and struggle of Jack’s character from doing what is self-serving to doing self-less acts to help his mother and town. This action packed story draws the reader in with the quick wit language in the dialogue bubbles and the character’s thoughts in the rectangles. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist 10/01/09

Publishers Weekly 01/04/10

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 02/01/10

School Library Journal 01/01/10

Horn Book 10/01/10

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) 12/01/09

Kirkus Review 12/01/09

Wilson’s Junior High School 10/01/10

Booklist (October 1, 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 Review (December 1, 2009) - Readers will relish this gleeful mix of fairy tale, adventure and romance.

CONNECTIONS

Hale, Shannon, Dean Hale, and Nathan Hale. 2008. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781599900704

·         Partner this book as the prequel to this book.

Kneece, Mark, Rod Serling, and Rich Ellis. 2009. THE TWILIGHT ZONE: WILL THE REAL MARTIAN PLEASE STAND UP? New York: Walker & Co. ISBN 9780802797261

·         Partner this book as another action graphic novel.

Hinds, Gareth. 2007. BEOWULF. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763630233

·         Partner this book as another graphic novel with a traditional literary character