Rapunzel's Revenge

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hale, Shannon and Hale, Dean (authors) and Hale, Nathan (illustrator). RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. 2008. New York: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books. ISBN: 9781599900704.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE, authors Shannon and Dean Hale retell the story of long-haired Rapunzel, but with a more modern and humorous twist. At the beginning, Rapunzel leads a secluded life in a grand villa surrounded by a towering wall. Her only companions are loyal servants and Gothel, whom she believes is her mother and possesses the power of “growth magic.” On Rapunzel’s twelfth birthday, she finally scales the mysterious wall and is stunned to discover the truth about the family she’s lost, Gothel’s identity, and the desolation of the land that spreads beyond her home. Soon after, Rapunzel is banished by Gothel to “a creepy tree,” but is eventually able to escape by using her long, red hair as a lasso. She then meets Jack, a funny and mysterious outlaw who helps Rapunzel find her way back to Gothel. With the use of their wits and Rapunzel’s skillful handling of her braided hair, Rapunzel and Jack seek justice for Gothel’s wicked deeds, save Rapunzel’s true mother, and discover their love for one another.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the graphic novel RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE, authors Shannon and Dean Hale create a thrilling and unconventional retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale. At the beginning of the story, Rapunzel reveals how she discovered the wickedness and deceit of villainous Gothel, whom she had been tricked to believe was her mother. When Gothel banishes Rapunzel to live within the hollow of a giant tree, Rapunzel manages to escape the prison by using her long locks. In her quest for vengeance, Rapunzel meets Jack, an outlaw with a sketchy past. Together they forge a friendship that eventually leads to trust and love. Unlike traditional Rapunzel fairy tails, this story is set in the Wild West, incorporating outlaws, gunfights, and rugged terrain.

Throughout the novel, Shannon and Dean Hale use amusing prose and dialogue, mixed with both sarcasm and wit. When one of Gothel’s henchman leaves Rapunzel in the towering tree, she explains that “I hoped he might come right back, that it was just a joke. But for all I knew, he’d been eaten by a wild boar in the forest. A girl can dream…” Chapter titles further add to the humorous story, including “Rustling Up Some Grub” and “The Shindig.”

Illustrator Nathan Hale masterfully shows the emotions of Rapunzel, such as her astonishment when she discovers the barren land that lies beyond the confines of her villa, her sadness when she meets her true mother for the first time, and her fierceness when she battles wild coyotes with the whip of her braids. Nathan Hale also cleverly uses sepia-toned pictures to cue readers to events that happened in the past, such as Rapunzel’s flashback of being torn from mother’s arms by Gothel, and the back-story of how Gothel gained her “growth magic.” Throughout the graphic novel, Hale’s dramatic and vivid drawings will captivate readers as they are whisked through Rapunzel’s journey, including her early years in the lavish grand villa, Gothel’s horrid mine camps, Jack and Rapunzel’s stay at Pig Tree Gulch, and Rapunzel’s battle with a vicious serpent.

Readers will thoroughly enjoy Rapunzel’s evolution to a strong, self-sufficient heroine who is determined to bring justice to the witch who separated Rapunzel from her birth mother. The classic fairy tale theme of good versus evil and a happy ending will feel familiar to readers, but the action-packed scenes, clever writing, and a southwestern flare will be an exciting surprise. Both boys and girls are sure to be entertained by RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE and eager to revisit the pages again and again.


4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Booklist: “Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.”
  
  
• 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.”
  
  
• School Library Journal (starred review): “This is the tale as you've never seen it before…The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after.”
  
  
• VOYA: “The Hale team creates an engaging heroine…This novel presents entertaining girl power at its quirkiest.
  
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 10 and up.
  
  
• Children may be interested in exploring other tales of Rapunzel, such as:
  -A traditional tale: Zelinsky, Paul O. (adapter, illustrator) and Brothers Grimm (author). RAPUNZEL. 1997. New York: Dutton Juvenile. ISBN: 9780525456070. (Caldecott Medal Book)
  -A humorous tale: Wilcox, Leah (author) and Monks, Lydia (illustrator) FALLING FOR RAPUNZEL. 2003. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780399237942.
  -A Caribbean retelling: Storace, Patricia (author) and Colon, Raul (illustrator). SUGAR CANE: A CARIBBEAN RAPUNZEL. 2007. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN: 9780786807918.
  
  
• Children may be interested to read other books by Newbery Honor winning author Shannon Hale, including:
  -Hale, Shannon. PRINCESS ACADEMY. 2005. New York: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781582349930. (Newbery Honor book)
  -The Books of Bayern Series:
  -Hale, Shannon. THE GOOSE GIRL. 2003. New York: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781582348438
  -Hale, Shannon. ENNA BURNING. 2004. New York: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781582348896.
  -Hale, Shannon. RIVER SECRETS. 2006. New York: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781582349015.
  
  
• To learn more about Shannon Hale, visit her Web site: www.shannonhale.com
  
  
• Children may be interested in other books authored and illustrated by Nathan Hale, including:
  -Hale, Nathan (author and illustrator). THE DEVIL YOU KNOW. 2010. New York: Walker & Company. ISBN: 9781616805388.
  -Hale, Nathan (author and illustrator). YELLOWBELLY AND PLUM GO TO SCHOOL. 2007. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780399246241.
  
  
• To learn more about Nathan Hale, visit his Web site at: www.spacestationnathan.com