RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE by Shannon Hale

Bibliography

Hale, Dean and Shannon Hale. 2008. Rapunzel's Revenge. Ill by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1599900704

Summary

Rapunzel takes matters into her own hands, freeing herself from the tower and teaming up with Jack to save her family and the kingdom from the evil witch that had imprisoned her. Rapuzel uses her whip-like braids to help others as she and Jack find adventure and friendship.

Critical Analysis

Rapunzel is a strong character who doesn’t rely on others to save her from her problems. She is the heroine who is set to rescue the kingdom from Gothel’s oppression. She does befriend Jack, the outlaw whose past adds its own set of problems to face and they work together to right the wrongs that they encounter.

True to graphic novel form, this story is full of action and fast paced, but still rich with the fairy tale themes of friendship and fighting evil. The illustrations create a wonderful world and the facial expressions of the characters add to the depth of the story.

Review Excerpts

2009 ALA Notable Books for Children award winner

2011 Young Reader’s Choice Award winner

Booklist – “Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.” – Tina Coleman

Publisher’s Weekly – “With its can-do heroine, witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly everybody.”

Connections

This is a great novel to get kids interested in reading!

I think it would be great to compare this Rapunzel to the traditional fairy tale version.

It could also be compared to Jack’s traditional tale and discuss how these stories are woven together, yet maintain a portion of their original form.

THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt

Bibliography

Appelt, Kathi. 2008. The Underneath. Ill by David Small. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0606145046

Summary

Ranger, a bloodhound, befriends and offers a refuge for a pregnant calico cat. He encourages her to raise her kittens underneath the porch, away from the danger Gar Face, the unfriendly man that owns that porch. They are safe, until one kitten’s curiosity begins a chain of events that test family and friendship.

Critical Analysis

Ranger only knows the cruelty of Gar Face who keeps him chained to the house until a calico cat wanders into his life. She gives birth to two curious kittens and they become friends, a family bound together by survival. While the story jumps back and forth between Ranger and the cats’ tale and the story of a Grandmother Moccasin, a water snake buried in a jar beneath a pine tree, the stories are eventually brought together. The mix of prose and poetic refrains cause the reader to adjust not only to shifting story lines, but a shift in the feel of the story that can be confusing to younger readers. However, the adventure and survival of the kittens will keep the reader hooked until the end.

Review Excerpts

2010 West Virginia Children’s Choice Book Award nominee

Horn Book Guide – “This fine book is distinguished by the originality of the story and the fresh beauty of its author's voice.”

Connections

For anyone who loves books like Shiloh, this book is a must read.

This a great book to study for the unlikely friendship and family that is formed between two creatures who are supposed to be enemies.

THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

Bibliography

Zusak, Markus. 2006. The Book Thief. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 0375931007

Summary

Death narrates this haunting tale about a young girl, Liesl, whom he follows on his journeys to collect the many souls in Nazi occupied Germany. He follows as she loses her brother, is taken to live with a foster family, makes a new friend or two, learns to read and begins stealing books as her only way to fight back.     

Critical Analysis

Death shows us just how special some people are as he describes the experiences that change a frightened, helpless Liesl into a strong, convicted young lady who handles incredible hardship with power and poise. Set in Nazi Germany, Liesl decides that while she doesn’t have much control over her circumstances, she can fight back in her own way – stealing books. Reading, and eventually writing, her own book gives Liesl peace and the strength to help others. She can fight the injustice by taking care of a Jew in hiding and telling stories to calm others as air raids threaten their safety. By the end, you understand why Death couldn’t help but follow Liesl’s story, a story of the living.

Review Excerpts

2006 Kathleen Mitchell Award winner

2006 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year award winner

Horn Book Guide – “Zusak's poignant tribute to words, survival, and their inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just read but inhabited.”

Booklist – “. . . the astonishing characters, drawn without sentimentality, will grab readers.“

Connections

This would be a great piece to read in connection with studying World War II.

I would read this book and compare it with the story of Anne Frank and have the students compare the strong female leads..