Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale

Hale, Shannon and Dean Hale. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2008. 144 pages. pap. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-59990-288-3.

Annotation: A classic twist on the fairy-tale Rapunzel, Shannon and Dean Hale set long-haired Rapunzel in a wild western landscape. She along with her friend Jack (of bean-stalk fame) battle monsters, coyotes, and henchmen in an effort to free her mother and cripple her step-mother’s cruel reign over the local inhabitants.

Summary: A high-action retelling of the fairy-tale classic, Rapunzel is set in the Wild West. Little Rapunzel has been raised by a wicked stepmother, Mother Gothel, inside a walled castle. One day Rapunzel views the wasteland surrounding the castle and ends up meeting her real mother, a peasant forced to work the mines. Mother Gothel then imprisons Rapunzel inside a magical tree for five years. Rapunzel’s beautiful and strong red hair grows over twenty feet long and she is able to escape. Spunky and smart Rapunzel learns that she does not need a prince to save her, she can do it herself. She befriends a young man named Jack (of bean-stalk fame) and together they free Rapunzel’s mother and bring down the reign of terror caused by Mother Gothel. At the very end, Rapunzel and Jack realize that they have fallen in love over the courses of their adventures.

Evaluation: This high energy fairy-tale is well suited to the colorful graphic novel format. The expressive art with many panels of action scenes matches the witty dialogue and exciting plot twists of the story. The cast of villains along with the deepening friendship and blooming romance between Rapunzel and Jack add extra interest to the full color story. Recommended for ages 9 to 14.

Genre / Subject: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Adventure, Hair, Revenge, Identity, Friendship, Family, Persistence

Awards: 2009 ALA Notable Books for Children, 2009 ALA Graphic Novels for Teens, 2009 ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Running Out of Time. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 1997. 192 pages. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-689-81236-1.

Annotation: Teenager Jessie Keyser lives in a restored historic village during the 1990’s but she and the other children in the village believe they are actually living in the 1840’s. This “scientific experiment” agreed upon by the children’s parents goes horribly wrong when diphtheria is released on the helpless villagers and it is up to Jessie to save them.

Summary: Jessie Keyser, a 13 year old girl, lives with her family in a restored historic village set in Indiana in the 1840’s. The children of the village actually believe that it is the year 1840; their parents have agreed to participate in an elaborate scientific experiment. The ruse is successful because the tourists from the present day (the 1990’s) are hidden from view. But things go horribly wrong when diphtheria is unleashed on the village because the corrupt researchers connected with the village want to see what would happen to patients without modern medical care. Brave, backward, and bewildered Jessie is sent by her mother into the modern world to find help for the “imprisoned” villagers.

Evaluation: Written in captivating manner, this book is an interesting take on “historical” events for those who love time-travel. A strong teen heroine uses her intelligence and courage to overcome her culture fears and physical threats in order to save the village children from dying. Each chapter is so gripping that it is difficult to put down. Recommended for ages 8-14.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Fiction, Suspense, Family, Diseases, Historic Villages, Adventure,Survival

Awards: 1997 ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 1996 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1995 American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo

DiCamillo, Kate. Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. 56 pages. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-075554-6.

DiCamillo, Kate. Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken. Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Live Oak Media, 2009. CD with Hardback book, 19 minutes. $ 28.95. ISBN 978-1-430-10688-3.

Annotation: A daring hen tires of her henhouse and goes in search of adventure. She is captured by pirates, nearly eaten by a lion, and is kidnapped at a bazaar but successfully escapes each time. Although she loves adventure, she always returns to the comforts and friendship awaiting her at home.

Summary: Louise, the brave French chicken, longs for adventure. She sets off to discover the world and is not disappointed. She is captured by hungry pirates, joins a circus and is nearly eaten by a lion, and is kidnapped at a foreign bazaar but escapes. After each short bout of adventure, she always returns to her henhouse to enjoy the company and comforts of home. After her last adventure, she finally shares the tales of her adventures with her sister chickens who are mesmerized. Louise realizes her adventures can continue with the transporting power of storytelling.

Evaluation: In this picture book divided into four short chapters, the line and watercolor illustrations detail the action scenes as Louise goes in search of and finds real adventure. The slightly repetitive narrative and the excellent pacing deepen the interest in the story. The main message is not about seeking your own adventure, but instead about the fulfillment found in sharing stories with friends and family. Recommended for ages 4 to 10.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Fiction, Adventure, Animals, Chickens, Storytellling

Awards: 2010 Odyssey Award Winner for Excellence in Audiobook Production