This year's winner of the
Scott O'Dell Award for historical fiction is Matt Phelan's first graphic novel,
The Storm in the Barn. It is a story of the Dust Bowl but much more. It is interesting how a graphic novel can pack in action and emotions. Jack is an 11 year-old boy living in Kansas in 1937. He hasn't seen rain since he was 7 years old. The story is told in dust colors, tans and grays, with other colors only used to emphasis something - blood or memories of green fields. Jack is small for his age, tormented by bullies, and considered useless by his frustrated father. His sister is suffering from dust pneumonia. When he begins to see flashes coming from an empty barn, he worries that he may have dust dementia. Here the realistic story moves into the folktale realm - a "Jack" tale of a brave boy who saves his family by facing a monster with courage and ingenuity.
Hstorical fiction, fantasy, action and aspects of a problem novel work altogether in a book that you can read in an hour. I like it because the emotion in this book is very real. I think middle school and even high school students who read this book will be left with a very distinct idea what it was like to live in this time of history. I would pair it with
Out of the Dust (Hesse), one of my favorite historical fiction titles. That book is also a different sort of historical fiction since it is written in free verse. Both books involve you and make you appreciate the suffering of people at this time.
10 comments:
The librarian from my last field experience showed this book to me. I have not looked at many graphic novels but agree that this story is portrayed very well through the images. I really enjoyed the illustrations over some of the other graphic novels that have illustrations like comic books. I have also read Children of the Dust Bowl: the story of the school at Weedpatch Camp. It is a nonfiction title that is very informative and well-written.
This book got rave reviews at SOYAMRG. I've been tempted to put it in my collection, but it seems so much more appropriate for upper elementary (4-6). I do have Out of the Dust and it is quite popular. Another good book I have is Virginia Hamilton's Drylongso, a beautiful Jerry Pinkney illustrated picture book about the 1975 drought and dust storms. Also, I have Russell Freedman's Children of the Great Depression. Together they make a powerful impression on what life was/is like for anyone facing drought and dust.
This sounds like an excellent way to introduce students to the Dust Bowl and the plight of the "Okies". If they read this as younger students, they will be far more prepared for Steinbeck when they reach high school, as they will already have a picture in their mind.
At the same time, I'd want to take a look at this personally. For some reason, I have an unfounded but deep-seeded dislike of graphic novels. Perhaps it's time to start working through that with this novel.
This title is interesting to me, perhaps because of its appeal to upper elementary. Like Denette, I also have used the Children of the Dust Bowl in conjuction with WingWalker by Rosemary Wells. The photographs from Dust Bowl work so well as a follow up to Wells' book and her illustrations. The idea of a third way to visualize this time period will generate interest from another group of readers.
I like how you mentioned the colors and illustrations of the book. In a different class, we're learning how colors can set the mood. This would be a good way to introduce children to the Dust Bowl and help them have a clear vision of what it all entails.
"Storm in the Barn" sounds like a very interesting and appropriate book for young adult and perhaps younger readers. I liked the format and plot sequence of addressing events in history such as the Dust Bowl in a manner that also incorporates fantasy and imagination. I think incorporating additional reading on historical topics is often necessary to accompany a graphic novel.
I have not heard of either of these books. like Erin, I am not a big fan of graphic novels but this might be a good one to try since it involves my favorite genre of Historical Fiction. It might be a good companion to The Grapes of Wrath.
What is the grade level for Out of the Dust? It's hard to believe Jack did not see rain in 4 years.
I look forward to reading them
Before beginning this program I had little knowledge about graphic novels. I can't wait to read one for this class. I think I would like to find one kind of like this, perhaps with a historical context. I like that you mentioned the way the pictures are done in "dust colors." It really adds to a book when the illustrations convey emotion as much as the text.
I also, have not read many graphic novels. I think this book sounds very appealing to readers and might expecially appeal to reluctant readers since there are illustrations. I need to start reading more graphic novels so I have better knowledge of what type of graphic novels are available for students to read.
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