BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hale, Shannon and Dean, Hale, N.
2008. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Bloomsbury
USA Childrens. ISBN-10: 1599902885.
PLOT
SUMMARY
Author’s Shannon and Dean Hale team
up with the help of illustrator Nathan Hale to give readers a creative,
adventurous, and action-packed story that shakes up the traditional Rapunzel
fairytale. The graphic novel takes us on an unpredictable journey from beginning
to end with fun graphics and humorous storytelling. Main character, Rapunzel,
is an inquisitive and witty little girl that lives in a huge “perfect” villa
with servants, guards, and a huge wall that surrounds it. She decides to go beyond
her limits on her twelfth birthday. Soon discovering she had been lied to all
her life and kidnapped by Gothel, her evil fake mom, she rebels and is
imprisoned in a magical tower-like tree for four years. After years of
attempting to escape and failing at the hands of Gothel’s powerful magic, on
her sixteenth birthday, her red hair finally grows long enough to help her
escape and fight off the bad guys throughout her journey back home. Rapunzel
meets a friend, Jack, who helps her through their eventful adventures and
remains a loyal partner until the end. They meet different people along the way
in a setting much like the American wild west mixed with classical fairytale.
Despite misfortunes, evil villains, and setbacks, they finally arrive to their
destination and Gothel is defeated. Rapunzel is finally reunited with her
mother, and everyone lives happily ever after. The story ends with a true
love’s kiss.
AWARDS:
ALA Notable Children’s Books 2009
YALSA Great Graphic Novels for
Teens 2009
Texas Lone Star Reading List
Nominee
Al Roker’s Book Club Pick
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
Graphic novel, Rapunzel’s Revenge,
is an intense, action-packed adventure that is sure to suck young readers in
from beginning to end. The modern and vibrant illustrations serve as
storytelling of their own. Accompanied by the Hale’s humorous dialogue, tone,
and mood, we can sense every part of the whirlwind adventure the main
characters undertake. The authors and illustrator take readers into an
unforgettable journey through the wild west and the typical and unusual
characters presented give the plot several unexpected twists. The illustrations
make the text come to life and helps maintain the story’s upbeat diction.
Illustrator, Hale, does an incredible job at contrasting the colors of the
pictures through the various events. The story’s illustrations start bright and
vibrant, since the dialogue is in a happy tone, as Rapunzel is still naïve and
ever so inquisitive. When Rapunzel sees what is on the other side of the villa,
the illustrations turn dull, and colorless. The illustrations match the events
throughout the story to give readers a more full-filling experience. Although
the story is made for young readers of ages 10-14, teenagers and adults would
surely enjoy this fun graphic novel as well.
REVIEW
EXCERPTS
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Illustrator
Hale's detailed, candy-colored artwork demands close viewing, as it carries the
action—Rapunzel's many scrapes are nearly wordless. With its can-do heroine,
witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly
everybody.”2008
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “The Hales apply a
new twist (or three) to the classic tale, creating a strong, sassy, braid-whipping
character who waits for no prince. Nathan Hale’s art, stylistically reminiscent
of a picture book, provides a snazzy counterpoint to the folksy text. A dash of
typical fairy-tale romance, a strong sense of social justice and a spunky
heroine make this a standout choice for younger teens.”2008
CONNECTIONS
Classroom Activity: Art
Class/Reading/ELA- As a group project, students are able to retell one of their
favorite fairytales and turn it into a graphic novel. Students will make a
shorter version of the story and retell it in the setting of their choice and
the diction of their choice. Students will be able to make the illustrations
and set the tone and mood of the story. Display work!
Library Activity: Students will be
able to present their projects (above) to a group of students and teachers and
enter their names in a raffle to win a graphic novel of their choice.
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