Rapunzel's Revenge

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.