Hale, Shannon and Dean. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. New York, NY: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-59990-288-3
Authors Websites: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html (Shannon Hale) http://www.dreadcrumbs.com/ (Dean Hale)
Illustrator Website: http://spacestationnathan.blogspot.com/
Media: Pen and ink, both color and sepia washes
Use of Simile: (p. 123) “my stomach jumping like a jackalope.”
Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 105) “Splish!”
Use of Alliteration: (p. 135) “Bellow banish bigger burn.”
Special Notation: Graphic Novel, 2009 Students' List
Annotation: Rapunzel has relocated to the Wild West and she has her own graphic novel in this inventive retelling of the classic fairytale.
Personal Reaction: An evil witch posing as Rapunzel’s mother locks Rapunzel in a castle (with a tower), and even though Rapunzel has beautiful clothes, her own servants and her run of the castle, something doesn’t quite seem right. On her birthday, Rapunzel discovers why she has never quite felt at home in the castle. She manages a glimpse over the tower wall and discovers a world filled with oppressed people, one of whom is her real mother, a peasant named Kate. Rapunzel is imprisoned in the tower, but eventually escapes and races off, determined to help the poor, hard-working, hungry people in this land, which happens to resemble the Wild West, by the way. Rapunzel meets up with Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk and together, these two famous fairytale characters use fast retorts, quick reflexes and sometimes, Rapunzel’s whip-like hair, to fight the bad guys and help the good guys. Shannon and Dean Hale have reinvented Rapunzel and this Rapunzel is bold, funny and brave. Readers ages 10-13 will appreciate Nathan Hale’s vivid and action-filled drawings whether they are graphic novel fans or not. I completely fell for this Wild West twist on Rapunzel. Everything from Nathan Hale’s (no relation to Shannon and Dean) vibrant drawings to Rapunzel’s bravery and humorous relationship with Jack worked beautifully.
