RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE by Shannon and Dean Hale. Illustrated by Nathan Hale.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hale, Shannon and Dean Hale. 2008. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. Ill. by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781599900704

PLOT SUMMARY

Plagued with a feeling of loneliness and curiosity, Rapunzel scales the villa wall on her twelfth birthday to see what is on the other side.  After an amazing revelation of her birth, Rapunzel is imprisoned in a tree tower for four years before escaping with the help of her long, red hair.  What follows is a series of wild adventures that lead to freeing her birth mother from the slavery of Gothel.  Oh, and there is even a bit of romance.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A fractured fairytale, Rapunzel’s Revenge is set in the Wild West.  Many settings are encountered as the plot winds its way but each location is given detail both in writing and in artwork to give the reader a clear vision of Rapunzel’s quest.  The protagonist, Rapunzel, is sixteen years old when the action-packed part of the story begins. The reader can relate to her as she is about the same age and deals with feelings of her place in the world, family, tragedy, love, and the need for adventure. 

The plot is a bit wild with weaponized hair and outlandish creatures.  It is constantly moving and involves frequent action.  The authors write with a modern style.  The story, previously written in a damsel in distress-prince saving version, is converted to a story of a powerful girl focused on being the hero herself.  She and her outlaw accomplice, Jack, must overcome much to overtake Gothel.  While the story itself is appealing, the artistic comic-like pictures are an amazing addition.  They move the story along and invigorate the eyes with bold colors and dramatic details. Illustrator Nathan Hale (no relation), spent over a year on the artwork and it is easy to see the hard work and dedication he put into the entire piece. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review – “With its can-do heroine, witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly everybody.”

Kirkus Reviews – “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.”

CONNECTIONS

*Read the original version of Rapunzel, this version, and even another twisted version and compare the contrast the two or three versions.  What elements remain in each story?

*Have students choose fairy tales from the library and create a fractured version of the story.  Then, have students illustrate them in a way that is similar to this story.

*Divide the class into groups and assign each group and different section of the story.  Have the group analyze the elements of that part of the story.  Create a different setting for the story and have the group rewrite their part so that it fits the new setting.  For example, instead of Wild West, the new setting might be westward expansion/Oregon trail/pioneer type of era. 

THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt. Drawings by David Small

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Appelt, Kathi. 2008. THE UNDERNEATH.  Ill. by David Small. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 9781415950585

PLOT SUMMARY

Ranger, a hound dog chained and living underneath a porch, befriends a cat and her kittens.  Ranger must keep the cats hidden from his cruel master, Gar Face.  After Gar Face finds the kittens and attempts to drown them, one of the kittens remains.  Puck, now located further down the river, must take on an incredible adventure to return to Ranger.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story is an unwanted adventure by a stray kitten named Puck.  His quest to return and free a dog named Ranger, motivate him to complete the journey with all of the difficulties along the way.  Another storyline, one about an old snake spirit looming beneath the waters of the bayou, takes shape and weaves its own story throughout the book.  Both stories have fictional elements such as magic, spirits with long-life, and talking animals.  For example, the mama cat has a conversation with a hummingbird about the burden she placed on Puck to return and free Ranger.

The reader quickly connects to Puck, the main character as well as Ranger and Sabine.  The heart strings are tugged by their circumstance and the mean Gar Face.  The reader is captivated by the expedition and longs for the reuniting of the unlikely family.  Finally, “All night they had snuggled right next to the old dog’s chest, just under his ears…Ranger hovered.  He could feel the scratchy tongues of his kittens.  Nothing had ever felt finer.”  And it is here that the storyline between the cats and Ranger, Grandmother Moccasin and the Alligator come together to end the story. 

The setting of this story is very vivid and intricate.  The reader can visualize the bayou, animals, the bone-covered yard, and the dark safety of the Underneath.  Themes such as friendship, family, persistence, tragedy, sacrifice, and hope are displayed throughout the journey.   David Small’s drawings are playful examples of the themes going on.  The alligator in chapter 115 is creepy but exhilarating.  The family towards the end of the book is precious and full of happiness and hope that they are finally free… and together.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Reviews – “Appelt intricately weaves these animals’ ancient stories into Puck’s survival saga to produce a magical tale of betrayal, revenge, love and the importance of keeping promises.”

Booklist – “But most children will be pulled forward by the vulnerable pets’ survival adventure and by Small’s occasional, down-to-earth drawings, created with fluid lines that are a perfect match for the book’s saturated setting and Appelt’s ebbing, flowing lyricism.”

John Newbery Honor Book

CONNECTIONS

*This would be a great book to do a brown bag activity.  You could include animals, fake of course, like a snake in a jar, a cute kitten and big loveable dog, a hummingbird, and an alligator. A chain and animal bones would be cool too.

*Research bayous.   Most kids will not be familiar with that geographic location. 

*Write a story of your own from one or many animal’s perspective. 

*Use predicting throughout the story.  Have students stop and predict what will happen next.

*Have students get into groups and have each group take a character.  The group must create an exhibit of that character including its habitat, drawing or objects to represent it.

 

SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. SPEAK. New York: Penguin. ISBN 9781428737761

PLOT SUMMARY

Melinda Sordino begins high school as an outcast but she has not always been that way.  Her former friends, people she has grown up with, they all stare at her and talk.  But what did she do?  This story takes you through a misunderstood teenage girl’s difficult journey as a rape victim and how she speaks out and finally comes to terms with what happened.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Melinda Sordino is a modern, young high school student.  She understands being popular and having a social life but quickly whirls into a lonely and depressed outcast.  The reader follows Melinda’s journey as she grows and works through her issues to become an average teenager again.  For much of the story, we wonder what happened to Melinda.  Details are revealed throughout the story, informing us as Melinda deals with them.  We finally learn that she drank alcohol at a party and was raped by a senior guy from school.  Desperate for help she called 911, ending the party and everyone else’s fun.  No one knows the truth.  The plot, completely believable, draws you in and keeps you wondering. 

The story is aimed for young adult readers who are going through the same transitions into adulthood.  The story incorporates feelings, emotions, and issues that this age group will understand.  Parties, alcohol, sex, friendship, depression, and isolation are themes found in the story that all readers can expect to face as they grow older if they have not already. 

Anderson uses symbolism throughout the book to convey the themes to the reader.  Young adult literature is often geared toward higher-thinking students and the symbolism offered is an extra bonus for these readers.  Melinda faints during the frog dissection in class.  The dissection is how she feels about being raped; vulnerable, helpless, and revealed.  Other examples include her art class project and her last name, Sordino, which means “mute” in Italian.  Anderson also writes in short sentences.  This adds to the dramatic tone of the story.  SPEAK is a true to life story with believable characters, plot, and themes. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Reviews - “The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.”

Publishers Weekly Starred review – “…the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.”

Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year Award

CONNECTIONS

*There are many discussion questions and journal prompts that you can find online for Speak.  Questions such as:

How would you describe Mr. Freeman?  What qualities does he possess that make him a good teacher?  Have you ever known any teacher similar to Mr. Freeman?

or

In what ways do you conform to what is expected of you?  In what ways do you rebel against what is expected of you?

 *Problem-solving questions are also online:

Melinda reads the graffiti in a school’s bathroom.  Then she adds her own graffiti to what she sees there.  Your school has a problem with inappropriate graffiti in the bathrooms.  How could you figure out a way to end the problem?  

http://www.viterbo.edu/perspgs/faculty/GSmith/LessonPlanforSpeak.htm

*Students could also choose an inanimate object and draw or create this object out of “stuff” in order to represent themselves.  Example:  Student could choose to make a clay replica of a beautiful nature scene that represents their feelings of being happy, alive, joyful, calm, or whatever emotions the student wants to express.  Also important - presenting it to the class and explaining the connection.