Calamity Jack

Hale, Shannon & Nathan Hale. Calamity Jack
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2010 144p 14.99
978-1-59990-373-6 ms Graphic novel E-BN
In this exuberant sequel to Rapunzel’s Revenge, the Hales follow up with a fast-moving tale of how Jack became a “schemer,plotter, planner, and trickster.” The action is quick moving, the plot intricately paced, the characters engaging, and the witty repartee is sure to keep the readers involved. It combines the traditional fairy tales with the best of the Saturday morning cartoons into a truly enjoyable book.
In this exuberant sequel to Rapunzel’s Revenge, the Hales follow up with a fast-moving tale of how Jack became a “schemer,plotter, planner, and trickster.” In order to save his mother from the arduous tasks of baking bread, out of bones of course, for the local giant Blunderboar, Jack takes on a little more than he can handle. Those little beans he discovered looked so innocent when he planted one but, as in the original fairy tale, it grew to be an outsized plant. Nothing would do but for Jack to climb it and make off with Blunderboar’s golden goose. Caught in the act when the beanstalk comes crashing down, he must run for his life with the goose under his arm. While out West, he meets Rapunzel and after solving her problems, they return to Shyport to rescue Jack’s mother and set everything right again. Once more, nothing goes quite as planned. Blunderboar is running the city and it will be up to Jack, Rapunzel, a young newspaper man, and the pixie Pru to save the day.
This graphic novel will appeal to all middle school readers. The action is quick moving, the plot intricately paced, the characters engaging, and the witty repartee is sure to keep the readers involved. It combines the traditional fairy tales with the best of the Saturday morning cartoons into a truly enjoyable book.
Highly recommended for all middle school libraries. Ogintz, Susan Graphic novels

Hale, Bruce. From Russia with Lunch.

Hale, Bruce. From Russia with Lunch.
Harcourt Brace 2009 112p 15.00 978-0-15-20548-8 elem
Chet Gecko Mystery
“When Chet's favorite teacher is fired and replaced by Russian scientist Tanya Lightov's mechanical invention, the school is suddenly possessed by unnatural forces and events, and Natalie Attired abandons Chet in his hour of need.” Fans of Chet Gecko will not be disappointed in this installment of the latest mystery to be solved. In this title, Chet Gecko, a lizard detective, and his mockingbird partner Natalie Attired, are presented with a mystery involving members of their elementary school, Emerson Hicky. Staff members are being replaced by devices such as the Bibliomalgamator, the Munchmeister 2000, and Yard Czar to help automate and streamline the library, cafeteria, and to simplify yard work. The devices were created by a mysterious Russian scientist and inventor, Dr. Tanya Lightov, but when tested, they did not function as they were intended. Everyday life at Emerson Hicky seems out of the ordinary as strange things and events happen. Kindergartners overrule the playground and beat up sixth graders, good students who normally are teachers pets are talking back and getting suspended from school, and his partner in crime and best friend, Natalie has abandoned Chet when he most needed her. Chet realizes that something is seriously wrong and he is determined to find out what is happening at his school.
Written in first-person narration, students will enjoy the puns, wisecracks, metaphors, and overall funny descriptions, while enjoying the scattered black-and-white pencil drawings. Students who enjoy mystery stories will appreciate this title. The author includes a quick summary of the first thirteen mysteries of Chet Gecko. Charlene Forba-Mayer

Rapunzel’s Revenge.

Hale, Shannon and Dean. Rapunzel’s Revenge.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins, 2008 144p 14.99 978-1-59990-288-3 ms/hs

Rapunzel lived in a grand villa with her mother (or at least she thought she was her mother). One day she finally escaped over the walls. She was horrified at what she saw. It is here the story takes a hilarious twist from the classic story as Rapunzel and a mysterious outlaw named Jack rampage throughout the Western countryside chasing villains and righting wrongs. This is a beautifully written and illustrated book that will appeal to many different types of readers. The graphic genre will be enthralled and delighted. The fantasy genre will appreciate a fresh adaptation of a traditional fairytale. However, all readers will not want to put it down until they have devoured both the story and the beautiful graphics.
The authors have created a unique sequence of events where the readers will be able to identify with Rapunzel’s confinement within the castle. They will also empathize for her encasement in a treehouse. Humor will commence when Rapunzel uses her braids as weapons. And lastly, who won’t rejoice with the arrival of a mysterious outlaw named, Jack. Together they provide the readers with a wild rollicking ride of adventures to right wrongs and change the world.
The illustrations are beautifully in tune with the tone and actions of the story. They are colorful and visually lay out on a page so the readers will get the most from the events in the story. L McNeil