Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Bloomsbury USA Childrens (2010), Edition: Illustrated, 144 pages
Description
In this graphic novel interpretation of "Jack and the beanstalk," Jack is a born schemer who climbs a magical beanstalk in the hope of exacting justice from a mean giant and gaining a fortune for his widowed mother, aided by some friends.
Media reviews
Horn Book Magazine
Easily as strong as the first entry, this steampunk-flavored fairy tale will appeal to boy-, girl-, reluctant- and eager readers alike.
Publishers Weekly
The dynamic artwork fits well with Jack and Rapunzel's quick tongues, as they flirt their way through numerous hair-raising situations.
School Library Journal
It should satisfy readers who enjoy adventure, fairy tales, and anyone who loves a rogue.
Kirkus Reviews
Readers will relish this gleeful mix of fairy tale, adventure and romance.
Booklist
Shannon and Dean Hale have done an excellent job stretching the bones of the traditional fable into a high-action coming-of-age story that will keep young teen readers excited and engaged.
User reviews
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
You know the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, right? Well, in Calamity Jack, the new graphic novel written by husband-and-wife team Shannon and Dean Hale, the beanstalk is just the beginning. Jack made some bad decisions growing up. Decisions that made him a wanted man in his home town. But then he
This is another spunky and fun fairy tale retelling and I hope the Hales keep 'em coming! Eye-catching art combined with smartly humorous text makes a graphic novel that'll please fans of Rapunzel's Revenge and attract new fans. Highly recommended.
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went off and had adventures and met Rapunzel and now he's heading home, eager to make amends. When Jack arrives, though, he finds a city much changed from the home he knew. Hordes of ant people terrorize the city and the only protection is offered by the shady giant Blunderboar. Jack knows something's up and he's got to get to the bottom of it. This is another spunky and fun fairy tale retelling and I hope the Hales keep 'em coming! Eye-catching art combined with smartly humorous text makes a graphic novel that'll please fans of Rapunzel's Revenge and attract new fans. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: We first met Jack as Rapunzel's trusty - if occasionally somewhat bumbling - sidekick in Rapunzel's Revenge. But in this sequel, Jack's story takes center stage. He and Rapunzel are headed back to the city in which he was born, the city which he had to leave in a rush after the beanstalk
Review: While this story was fun, and there was nothing exactly wrong with it, it just didn't grab me the way that I wanted it to. Jack's got the stereotypical bumbling teen boy hero thing going on, but I didn't find that he had the requisite level of charm to entirely pull it off, so he came across instead as mildly obnoxious. The story also didn't really pull me in; while the flashback part of it is a retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk", most of the book is spent on Jack's current troubles, which don't derive from fairy tales. The story's got plenty of action sequences, and at least a few twists and turns, but I didn't find it particularly surprising or thematically complex enough to really hold my interesting. I also found that I missed the Western setting of Rapunzel's Revenge; the steampunky fantasy mish-mash of the city felt kind of jumbled. But, even with all that, the artwork in these books is lovely and fun, there are enough touches of humor to keep things light, and the story ticks along at a good enough pace that it's still an enjoyable way to spend an hour. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: It doesn't recapture all of the spark of the first book, but for a mid-grade appropriate fantasy adventure graphic novel, it's good fun.
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caper went badly wrong. But it turns out that Blunderboar, the giant that was Jack's target all those years ago, and survived, and now he's got the entire city under his thumb, since he's the only one who can protect the populace from the ravening hordes of ant people. Jack senses that there's something fishy, but can he and Rapunzel get to the bottom of it in time to save the city - and Jack's mother?Review: While this story was fun, and there was nothing exactly wrong with it, it just didn't grab me the way that I wanted it to. Jack's got the stereotypical bumbling teen boy hero thing going on, but I didn't find that he had the requisite level of charm to entirely pull it off, so he came across instead as mildly obnoxious. The story also didn't really pull me in; while the flashback part of it is a retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk", most of the book is spent on Jack's current troubles, which don't derive from fairy tales. The story's got plenty of action sequences, and at least a few twists and turns, but I didn't find it particularly surprising or thematically complex enough to really hold my interesting. I also found that I missed the Western setting of Rapunzel's Revenge; the steampunky fantasy mish-mash of the city felt kind of jumbled. But, even with all that, the artwork in these books is lovely and fun, there are enough touches of humor to keep things light, and the story ticks along at a good enough pace that it's still an enjoyable way to spend an hour. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: It doesn't recapture all of the spark of the first book, but for a mid-grade appropriate fantasy adventure graphic novel, it's good fun.
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LibraryThing member mjmbecky
Following up Rapunzel's Revenge, we get the back story on Rapunzel's friend, side-kick, and love interest Jack. Patterned after Jack in the Beanstalk, but only slightly, Jack tried to save his family by playing a type of Robin Hood character in planting a beanstalk to reach the top of the
This was a cute follow up to the first graphic novel, and tied the characters together nicely. As a newcomer to graphic novels, I will admit to not quite following the myriad of creatures and characters that popped up in this second installment. Some of the adventures made my head spin a bit, and I wondered how all of the characters and story lines would pull together. I recognize though, that as an adult reader, I might have missed the playfulness of the graphic novel format by being too caught up on the storyline. It is obvious that young readers and fans of comic adventures would find Calamity Jack great fun to read. In fact, there's no way we could say this novel was boring at all. Although I struggled to always follow all of the action going on, a younger reader or fan would love its storyline and engaging artwork.
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skyscraper owned by the evil rich guy who pretty much owned the city. In the process, Jack causes a lot of trouble and does more damage than good. That's when he supposedly left and had his adventure with Rapunzel, who he brings back with him to his home city to try to repair the wrongs and damages he has caused. In short, Jack must save the day, and win over the girl with his amazing, heroic prowess!This was a cute follow up to the first graphic novel, and tied the characters together nicely. As a newcomer to graphic novels, I will admit to not quite following the myriad of creatures and characters that popped up in this second installment. Some of the adventures made my head spin a bit, and I wondered how all of the characters and story lines would pull together. I recognize though, that as an adult reader, I might have missed the playfulness of the graphic novel format by being too caught up on the storyline. It is obvious that young readers and fans of comic adventures would find Calamity Jack great fun to read. In fact, there's no way we could say this novel was boring at all. Although I struggled to always follow all of the action going on, a younger reader or fan would love its storyline and engaging artwork.
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LibraryThing member kivarson
Picking up where "Rapunzel's Revenge" left off, Jack and Rapunzel travel to the big city of Shyport, where they face down Blunderboard the giant with the help of the inventive Frederick Sparksmith.
LibraryThing member krau0098
I absolutely loved the first book using these characters, Rapunzel's Revenge, so I was really excited when I heard there was going to be a sequel to that graphic novel. This book focuses on Jack, Rapunzel's sidekick. It was a fun read but not as good as the first one.
In this book we get some of
I didn't like Jack as much as a main character as I liked Rapunzel...he is just too much of a goof. That being said the story was still well done and very amusing. I enjoyed the humorous Wildwest retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale. The artwork was wonderful and well done. The story moves quickly and is very engaging. This story had a bit more of a steampunk tinge to it than the first book did.
If you liked Rapunzel's Revenge you would enjoy this book. If you like fairy tale retellings or full-color graphic novels full of humor; then you will like this book. I didn't think the story was quite as engaging as Rapunzel's Revenge; but it was still a lot of fun! I look forward to more graphic novels by the
In this book we get some of
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Jack's history and some background on why he was on the run with a goose in Rapunzel's Revenge. Then Jack and Rapunzel return to Jack's hometown to faceoff with the giants.I didn't like Jack as much as a main character as I liked Rapunzel...he is just too much of a goof. That being said the story was still well done and very amusing. I enjoyed the humorous Wildwest retelling of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale. The artwork was wonderful and well done. The story moves quickly and is very engaging. This story had a bit more of a steampunk tinge to it than the first book did.
If you liked Rapunzel's Revenge you would enjoy this book. If you like fairy tale retellings or full-color graphic novels full of humor; then you will like this book. I didn't think the story was quite as engaging as Rapunzel's Revenge; but it was still a lot of fun! I look forward to more graphic novels by the
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LibraryThing member cmbohn
This all about Jack, as he talks about what lead him to leave his home town (hint: giants) and go on the run. Now he's determined to go back home and make good on the mess he left behind. When he and his friend Rapunzel get there, they find the town overrun with giants and with giant ants. The
Not quite as good as the first one, but boys might like this one better.
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whole town is a war zone, and Jack's mother is forced to work for the giants. Time for a rescue!Not quite as good as the first one, but boys might like this one better.
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LibraryThing member vigashavy27
Calamity Jack. This book is a work of comedy. Jack ( Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk) lives in a magical town with his baker mother. Curious and Michevious Jack wants to know more about an unusual giant that his mother wants money from. Using the epic beanstalk and his wit. jack demolishes have
The author portrays a very diffrent point and extension of the all time classic fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk.
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the town, kills a giant, steals a golden goose and gets run out of town by his mother. He meets rapunzel( see Repunzel's Revenge for more detail) and sets of back home. Where he comes to find the world being run by Giants. Jack makes it a priority to find out why the towns people have let the Giants take over, what happened to the town and how he can save the town all at once.The author portrays a very diffrent point and extension of the all time classic fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk.
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LibraryThing member rabid-reader
This sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge focuses on Jack's story, from Jack and the Beanstalk. The authors have set it in an Old West / steampunk milieu with pixies and giants and people with animal's heads being taken for granted and a normal part of life. Extremely creative, and works amazingly well.
The
The
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story is fairly straightforward, clean, young-adult level. Jack and Rapunzel are normal, balanced, heroic characters, with both abilities and frailties. Nathan Hale's art is magnificent in its detail and expression. A worthy followup to their first graphic novel, and I hope to see more in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member darlingdumpling
Q4P5
Starts with strong narrative but gets a little jumbled. Great illustrations, high energy page turner.
Starts with strong narrative but gets a little jumbled. Great illustrations, high energy page turner.
LibraryThing member Ctorm
5Q 5P
A thrilling and fantastical story of classic fairy tale characters with clever twists. Jack (from Jack and the Beanstalk) teams up with his friends including his paramour, Rapunzel, to stop the evil giant Blunderboar. Full of adventure, mystery and fun interpretations of fairy tale characters,
A thrilling and fantastical story of classic fairy tale characters with clever twists. Jack (from Jack and the Beanstalk) teams up with his friends including his paramour, Rapunzel, to stop the evil giant Blunderboar. Full of adventure, mystery and fun interpretations of fairy tale characters,
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this graphic novel is sure to appeal to all readers. Show Less
LibraryThing member claudiathelibrarian
5Q- Takes a few elements from the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk and creates a well-illustrated and exciting story. The flow is nice and the characters are strong and developed.
5P- 9 and up will enjoy this book because of its graphic novel style, the intricate artwork and the adventurous story.
5P- 9 and up will enjoy this book because of its graphic novel style, the intricate artwork and the adventurous story.
LibraryThing member keristars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rapunzel's Revenge, so I was looking forward to the sequel from the Hale trio. According to the final pages of the preceding book, Calamity Jack would focus on Rapunzel's partner and love interest Jack's story.
But the first few pages gave me such an intense feeling of
But in Calamity Jack, starting on the very second page of story, it's inescapable that he's meant to be American Indian. And the way he and his family are represented just did not work for me. He's a trickster, petty thief character, and his family live in a tenement. The first person he injures because of his tricks? is a white boy with blonde hair. Jack's dearest belongings in the story are a fringed, bear-hide jacket that belonged to his father and a close-fitting choker-style necklace apparently made of bone strips that belonged to his grandfather. Even considering the Fantasy/Steampunk Wild West setting, it feels so stereotypical and unimaginative — I suppose that maybe that's why I was so disappointed in it, and dislike the backstory so much.
Moving past the bits that made me feel uncomfortable and upset with one of my favourite authors, the rest of the story was quite good, though the art sometimes had what is referred to on the Internet as a "QUALITY" look, especially in the occasional strangely malformed faces.
I guess the story is a pretty typical "little guy saves the town from fat and overbearing autocrat" sort of thing. Blunderboar is the richest dude in town, who happens to be a giant, and he always makes Jack's mom (the town baker) make special bread for him, but never pays. And then one day as he's leaving the bakery, he doesn't duck and knocks out a chunk of wall over the door, then refuses to do anything about it. Jack, petty thief and trickster extraordinaire, swears he'll find a way to take care of things and with his pixie compatriot Prudence works out a plan to get to Blunderboar's floating penthouse to steal some money for repairs.
Things go wrong with a magical beanstalk and golden goose, and Jack runs out of town to avoid certain death, only to met up with Rapunzel. When they return to Shyport together, Blunderboar has become the only guy in town, and it's partly thanks to his taking care of giant Ant-People who keep invading and destroying things. Also: Jack is #1 most wanted and should be fearing for his life (again). You can probably figure out what happens from here, though the details are fun to see. For example, there is a newspaper man named Freddie Sparksmith who is trying to convince everyone that Blunderboar is up to no good. Freddie is one of those goofy hero characters, the kind who mean well and want to save the world, but aren't exactly the brightest lightbulb. I love Freddie - he's easily my favorite character in either of the books.
Despite being able to predict how the story would go, the exact details surprised me, and like I said, it was fun to read. There were a few twists I really didn't expect at all, which was great, because twists in fairy tale plots are usually pretty predictable.
As with Rapunzel's Revenge, the setting is outstanding, and there are references to Jabberwocks and Bandersnatches, which I loved.
So, altogether, it's not really a bad book. It's quite good. But I just can't get over the disappointment and dislike I have for Jack's background story. It just feels wrong and uncomfortable, and the fact that he's trying to be on the straight-and-narrow for redhead Rapunzel (whom he loves and adores) just... it doesn't quite work for me. At least this treatment of an American Indian character isn't as bad as Stephenie Meyer's.
But the first few pages gave me such an intense feeling of
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dislike and trepidation for the rest of the book that I couldn't really enjoy it. See, the main character Jack is apparently supposed to be American Indian. From the setting, I figure his hometown of Shyport is meant to be somewhere around Kansas City, just a little bit West, but not so far as to be the Wild West, where Rapunzel's Revenge occurred. Of course, these settings are filtered through a fantasy/steampunk lens, where magic and pixies and giants are all normal creatures. Anyway, what I'm getting at is that technically, Jack and his family aren't American Indian, because Americans and Indians and whatnot just don't exist in this universe. In the first book, there wasn't really a strong indication of what his heritage is supposed to be - at least, it wasn't terribly obvious to me. He has darker skin than Punzie, but everyone in the stories has varying skintones, and he could have been any kind of Wild West figure with darker skin and black hair.But in Calamity Jack, starting on the very second page of story, it's inescapable that he's meant to be American Indian. And the way he and his family are represented just did not work for me. He's a trickster, petty thief character, and his family live in a tenement. The first person he injures because of his tricks? is a white boy with blonde hair. Jack's dearest belongings in the story are a fringed, bear-hide jacket that belonged to his father and a close-fitting choker-style necklace apparently made of bone strips that belonged to his grandfather. Even considering the Fantasy/Steampunk Wild West setting, it feels so stereotypical and unimaginative — I suppose that maybe that's why I was so disappointed in it, and dislike the backstory so much.
Moving past the bits that made me feel uncomfortable and upset with one of my favourite authors, the rest of the story was quite good, though the art sometimes had what is referred to on the Internet as a "QUALITY" look, especially in the occasional strangely malformed faces.
I guess the story is a pretty typical "little guy saves the town from fat and overbearing autocrat" sort of thing. Blunderboar is the richest dude in town, who happens to be a giant, and he always makes Jack's mom (the town baker) make special bread for him, but never pays. And then one day as he's leaving the bakery, he doesn't duck and knocks out a chunk of wall over the door, then refuses to do anything about it. Jack, petty thief and trickster extraordinaire, swears he'll find a way to take care of things and with his pixie compatriot Prudence works out a plan to get to Blunderboar's floating penthouse to steal some money for repairs.
Things go wrong with a magical beanstalk and golden goose, and Jack runs out of town to avoid certain death, only to met up with Rapunzel. When they return to Shyport together, Blunderboar has become the only guy in town, and it's partly thanks to his taking care of giant Ant-People who keep invading and destroying things. Also: Jack is #1 most wanted and should be fearing for his life (again). You can probably figure out what happens from here, though the details are fun to see. For example, there is a newspaper man named Freddie Sparksmith who is trying to convince everyone that Blunderboar is up to no good. Freddie is one of those goofy hero characters, the kind who mean well and want to save the world, but aren't exactly the brightest lightbulb. I love Freddie - he's easily my favorite character in either of the books.
Despite being able to predict how the story would go, the exact details surprised me, and like I said, it was fun to read. There were a few twists I really didn't expect at all, which was great, because twists in fairy tale plots are usually pretty predictable.
As with Rapunzel's Revenge, the setting is outstanding, and there are references to Jabberwocks and Bandersnatches, which I loved.
So, altogether, it's not really a bad book. It's quite good. But I just can't get over the disappointment and dislike I have for Jack's background story. It just feels wrong and uncomfortable, and the fact that he's trying to be on the straight-and-narrow for redhead Rapunzel (whom he loves and adores) just... it doesn't quite work for me. At least this treatment of an American Indian character isn't as bad as Stephenie Meyer's.
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LibraryThing member LoftyIslanders
This is the sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge, and I highly recommend reading that first. Set around the 1800's, it featuring fairy tale characters with a western twist. It's funny, the illustrations and the dialogue are terrific, and all ages would enjoy this. Jack is the Jack of beanstalk fame, who
I can't recommend Calamity Jack and Rapunzel's Revenge highly enough.
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was forced to leave town after the beanstalk mishap. But now he's back in town, accompanied by Rapunzel and her braid lassos, to set things right. Other characters are his former partner in crime, who is a fashion conscious lady pixie, the villainous giants who've conned and taken over the town, a bumbling newspaper editor and genius inventor, and giant ants. Can't forget the giant ants! Jack tries to hide his criminal past from Rapunzel and be what he thinks she thinks he should be, with disastrous results. I can't recommend Calamity Jack and Rapunzel's Revenge highly enough.
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LibraryThing member akmargie
Even more clever and funnier than the first. Good action too.
LibraryThing member jwied2
Summary: A graphic novel based on the old story of Jack and the Bean Stalk with a few extra twists in it.
Review: A great read for older students! My first graphic novel and although I had a harder time keeping up with the organization, I am sure kids' minds these days can and do.
Review: A great read for older students! My first graphic novel and although I had a harder time keeping up with the organization, I am sure kids' minds these days can and do.
LibraryThing member LibrarianMaven
Another rollicking adventure from the creators of Rapunzel's Revenge, this time set in a city where Jack and Rapunzel must save the city and its inhabitants from a war between the giants and giant ants.
LibraryThing member LibraryCin
3.5 stars
This is a graphic novel that focuses on Jack (from Jack and the Beanstalk) and Rapunzel. Jack was a boy who always got himself into trouble. When he got older, Jack got into trouble and had to leave town, so he went West for Rapuzel and brought her back. When they returned, his city was
I enjoyed this. It was cute! I quite like the illustrations in this one, as well.
This is a graphic novel that focuses on Jack (from Jack and the Beanstalk) and Rapunzel. Jack was a boy who always got himself into trouble. When he got older, Jack got into trouble and had to leave town, so he went West for Rapuzel and brought her back. When they returned, his city was
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run by a giant; a giant who had been his neighbour and had always been a bully. I enjoyed this. It was cute! I quite like the illustrations in this one, as well.
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LibraryThing member ana.j.diaz.1
It is a graphic novel full of fiction combined with realism. It's illustrations are fabulous. It is a recommended book for students of 4-5 grade
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
The story of Rapunzel and Jack the Giant Killer continues. As usual the illustrations are bright, expressive and entertaining. It's fun to watch Jack try and impress Rapunzel, not even realizing he is already in love with her. I like the changes made to the story and hope that their adventures
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continue. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
The story of Rapunzel and Jack the Giant Killer continues. As usual the illustrations are bright, expressive and entertaining. It's fun to watch Jack try and impress Rapunzel, not even realizing he is already in love with her. I like the changes made to the story and hope that their adventures
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continue. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
The story of Rapunzel and Jack the Giant Killer continues. As usual the illustrations are bright, expressive and entertaining. It's fun to watch Jack try and impress Rapunzel, not even realizing he is already in love with her. I like the changes made to the story and hope that their adventures
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continue. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
The story of Rapunzel and Jack the Giant Killer continues. As usual the illustrations are bright, expressive and entertaining. It's fun to watch Jack try and impress Rapunzel, not even realizing he is already in love with her. I like the changes made to the story and hope that their adventures
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continue. Show Less
LibraryThing member SESchend
The second book by the Hales starring Rapunzel and titular Calamity Jack.
Intriguing steampunk mashup of Jack the Giant Killer and various and sundry other faerie tale figures. Loads of fun for anyone eight or older.
Intriguing steampunk mashup of Jack the Giant Killer and various and sundry other faerie tale figures. Loads of fun for anyone eight or older.
LibraryThing member SESchend
The second book by the Hales starring Rapunzel and titular Calamity Jack.
Intriguing steampunk mashup of Jack the Giant Killer and various and sundry other faerie tale figures. Loads of fun for anyone eight or older.
Intriguing steampunk mashup of Jack the Giant Killer and various and sundry other faerie tale figures. Loads of fun for anyone eight or older.
Awards
Utah Book Award (Children's — 2010)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2011)
Children's Favorites Awards (Selection — 2011)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010-01
Physical description
9.04 inches
ISBN
1599903733 / 9781599903736