Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, Shannon and Dean. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. Rapunzel's Revenge. Bloomsbury, 2008. ISBN-10:1-59990-288-5


Plot Summary
Rapunzel grows up with Mother Gothel in a walled villa but on her sixteenth birthday she ventures over the wall and finds her real mother, who is a slave in Gothel's mines. For her disobedience, Mother Gothel puts Rapunzel in a tower, which Rapunzel escapes from after four years. Rapunzel meets Jack and the two of them set off to discover the source of Gothel's power and destroy it. Along the way they meet many groups who have been wronged by Gothel and who lend their help to the pair. This version of Rapunzel features a heroine who needs no rescuing set in a wild west frontier land. Jack is also a fairy tale character, but I won't say which one.

Critical evaluation
This graphic novel is well done. The artwork mostly follows the text but often adds and extra dimension, such as a smirk or a sideways glance. I liked that this is not the story of Rapunzel, but rather the story of her revenge. Well written, amusing with a great example of a courageous heroine who doesn't need a prince to save her but rather needs a friend by her side. Heartily recommended.

Readers Annotations
This Rapunzel isn't going to sit around waiting for a prince. Using her long braids as a pair of lassos, she swings down from her tower prison and sets out to get revenge on the evil witch. The rootinest, tootinest Rapunzel yet.

Information About the Author
Shannon Hale has written six books for young adults and two novels for adults. Her novel, Princess Academy was a Newberry Honor Book. For her graphic novels, she teams with her husband Dean Hale. The husband and wife team live in Salt Lake City with their two young children. Nathan Hale, a children's book illustrator, is no relation to the authors.

Genre
Graphic Novel
Fairy tale adaptation

Curriculum Ties


Booktalking Ideas
Rapunzel's horror at finding out the truth about Mother Gothel

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
School Library Journal Starred Review

Why Book Included
I'm always looking for graphic novels appropriate for younger teens.