Author: Shannon & Dean Hale
Illustrator: Nathan Hale
Publisher: Bloomsbury, New York, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59990-070-4
Interest Level: 5-8
Genre: Graphic Novel, Dewey 741.5
Plot Summary: Rapunzel, having grown up in a lovely castle with the woman she thought was her mother, is placed in a very tall hollow tree as punishment after her curiosity prompts her to climb the castle wall and look at the ruin of the world beyond her home; but she is able to escape and with the help of Jack, embarks on a plan to free the land from the grip of the witch.
Awards and Reviews: Wilson's Children 07/01/09, School Library Journal starred 09/01/08, Library Media Connection starred 11/01/08,
Horn Book starred 11/01/08, Publishers Weekly starred 08/04/08, Booklist 09/01/08, Horn Book 04/01/09, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 09/01/08, ALA Notable 2009, YALSA 2009 Great Graphic Novel, Eisner Award Nomination
Extensions: Based on the reading of Rapunzel's revenge, prompt students to pick a fairy tale of their own, and "fracture" it in their own style. Papers should be at least 4 double spaced pages. When story is complete, students will draw/illustrate four related "graphics", one relating to each page, as well as an illustrated cover page and bibliographic information. The media specialist will have laminating & binding materials available for students to construct mini-booklets, which will be on display in the media center for the remainder of the year. This project will take place over 3 media center visits within the month, with student's encouraged to work on the project outside of school to create a more interesting end product.
GPS ELA6W2 The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres. The student produces a narrative (fictional, personal) that: a. Engages readers by establishing and developing a plot, setting, and point of view that are appropriate to the story (e.g., varied beginnings, standard plot line, cohesive devices). b. Creates an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context. c. Includes sensory details and concrete language to develop plot, setting, and character (e.g., vivid verbs, descriptive adjectives, and varied sentence structures). d. Uses a range of strategies (e.g., suspense, figurative language, dialogue, expanded vocabulary, movement, gestures, expressions). e. Excludes extraneous details and inconsistencies. f. Provides a sense of closure appropriate to the writing.
Terri's Review: ►►►►► 5 Bean and Cheese Nachos (out of 5) Acclaimed young adult author Shannon Hale joins her husband Dean and (unrelated) illustrator Nathan Hale in creating this fantastic spin on the Rapunzel fairy tale. Rapunzel lives with her stern Mother Gothel in an extravagant, lush villa which is surrounded by guards and a tall wall. One day, bored and curious, she climbs the wall and peeks over, only to be astonished at the barren, dark and desolate land beyond. Poverty-stricken village workers are hard at work in the mines. Rapunzel makes it out of the villa to research further and makes a life-changing discovery. Caught in the act, Mother Gothel imprisons Rapunzel in a tree, providing food and water, but little else. Rapunzel's hair grows and soon she entertains herself by learning to use the braids as a lasso. She finally escapes, with a plan in mind to save the people oppressed by Mother Gothel. Along the way, she befriends another fellow on the run, Jack (of beanstalk fame, of course). Their adventures continue across the Old West-type landscape, where they meet odd characters, fight bad guys and save people from harm. This engaging book will entertain readers well above the intended age range. It's a bona fide, saddle burning adventure tale, with refreshing and quite witty dialogue - not stilted as many graphic novels can be - and with very likable protagonists. The illustrations are perfectly matched. Hopefully this gifted team is already working on another!
