(Book Cover compliments of Titlewave.com)
Bibliography
Hale, Shannon and Dean. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. Rapunzel’s Revenge. New York: NY Bloomsbury. ISBN 1-59990-070-X
Plot summary
A graphic novel fairy tale set in the Old West, Rapunzel escapes from her tower, takes on a sidekick named Jack, and fights her way back home to face Mother Goethel and free the oppressed people under Goethel’s rule.
Critical Analysis
While this fresh spin on a traditional tale starts with “Once upon a time,” the story veers promptly off the familiar fairy-tale path and into the old wild West filled with wild creatures, dangerous outlaws, double crossers, and hangin’ trees. Having been raised by powerful Mother Goethel in an impenetrable grand villa, Rapunzel scales the walls on her 12th birthday and discovers the impoverished, barren landscape outside the lush villa where the citizens (including Rapunzel’s real mother) are enslaved in Goethel’s mines. When spunky Rapunzel confronts Goethel, her life of luxury at the villa ends, and she is imprisoned for years far away in a barren tower in a magical forest. The plot thickens as fast as Rapunzel’s braids when she determines to escape and rescue her real mother using her now 20-foot long lasso-like braids as weapons. Her journey back to Goethel’s realm leads her into the companionship of thieving side-kick Jack (beanstalk and magical goose owner) and into the path of increasingly dangerous henchmen hired and controlled by Goethel’s dark magic.
Shannon and Dean Hale’s use of first person narrative bring readers into the heart of “Punzie” where we witness her compassion and insatiable determination that accompany her outwardly sassy wit. Filled with outlandish characters, rollicking western dialogue and euphemisms, and the bright colors and detailed artwork of Nathan Hale, this fairy tale twist gives readers of all ages a rootin’ tootin’ ride and a satisfying ending where justice is served and the gal gets the guy.
Reviews and Honors
"The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after." -School Library Journal, Starred Review
"With its can-do heroine, witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly everybody." -Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review
ALA 2009 Notable Children's Book
YALSA 2009 Great Graphic Novel for Teens
Nominee for the Texas Lone Star reading list
Texas Maverick Graphic Novel
Starred reviews in Horn Book, Library Media Connection, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly
Positive Reviews in Booklist and Wilson’s Children’s and Junior High School
Connections
- Share and compare at least two other versions of Rapunzel including the original tale. Afterward, share a list of other traditional tales and have student groups re-write the tales with new settings, characters, and unexpected twists on the original.
- Zelinsky, Paul O. Rapunzel. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: Duton Children’s Books. ISBN 0525456074
- Storace, Patricia. Sugar Cane : a Caribbean Rapunzel . Illustrated by Raul Colon. ISBN: 0786807911
- Allow students to select and share an additional graphic novel from award winning lists such as the Eisner Award List, Texas Maverick List, and YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens. Include newer titles such as:
Lee, Tony and Sam Hart. Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur. Candlewick. 2011. ISBN 9780763646448.
Yolen, Jane and Rebecca Guay. The Last Dragon. Dark Horse, 2011. ISBN 9781595827982.
George O’ Connor books Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess and Zeus: King of the Gods. First Second. 2010
Telgemeier, Raina with color by Stephanie Yue. Smile. Graphix. 2010. ISBN 0545132053
Be sure to include Hale’s Calamity Jack (ISBN 1599900769), sequel to Rapunzel’s Revenge.
- Have students research biographical background and information on the award-winning writings of Shannon and her husband Dean, and the illustrations of Nathan Hale (no relation). See Shannon Hale’s entertaining site at http://www.squeetus.com/stage/rap_reviews.html and Nathan Hale’s blog at http://spacestationnathan.blogspot.com/. Be sure to have students watch Shannon and Dean Hale on the NBC Today Show http://spacestationnathan.blogspot.com/2008/09/rapunzels-today-show-revenge.html talking to book club kids.
