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5tami8's review against another edition
5.0
Calamity Jack is a stunningly good sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge. It is another funny, fast-paced adventure with a fairytale twist. In this book we first get Jack's backstory (which is only hinted at in Rapunzel's Revenge). We find out why Jack had to flee the city, which ultimately led to his encountering Rapunzel in the first book.
In this version of Jack and the Beanstalk our Jack buys the magic beans by pawning his most precious possession--his dead father's coat. He uses the beans as part of an elaborate plan to rob the giant Blunderboar. The plan goes horribly wrong; as Jack escapes from Blunderboar's penthouse he is followed by one of the giant's lieutenants. when he follows Jack down the beanstalk he ends up falling to his death.
Jack races back to the tenement where he lives with his mother in their ground floor bakery. He finds disaster due to a bean mistakenly thrown away: another beanstalk has sprouted and is causing the destruction of the entire building. Although Jack ensures everyone gets out of the tenement safely, Blunderboar swears revenge against Jack for giantcide and Jack's mother tells him she is ashamed of him and he should leave.
Jack rides the train out of the city into the Wild West and meets Rapunzel. With Rapunzel Jack discovers a better part of himself and succeeds in gaining a reward which he wants to use to rebuild his mother's home and business.
The story jumps back to the present as Jack returns to the city accompanied by Rapunzel, intending to right his past wrongs. But things in the city are much worse than when Jack left. The people are besieged by the "Ant People," a terrifyingly gigantic race of ants that walk upright like humans. Blunderboar--the same giant who had sworn revenge on Jack--is now running the city, using his giant forces to battle the Ant People for the citizens.
Jack and Rapunzel team up with a young newspaperman--of whom Jack becomes jealous when he sees him with Rapunzel--who is speaking out against Blunderboar. Jack finds out that Blunderboar is holding his mother prisoner in his fortress, using her to bake bread with a gruesome ingredient. Anxious to rescue his mother and terrified Rapunzel will discover the truth about his past illegal activities the trio nonetheless uncover the fact Blunderboar is not the savior he claims to be.
They plan to expose him to the citizens and set things right in the city. Again we have a nail-biting climax to a fast-paced, funny adventure. This conclusion even includes a dual admission of love--again, enough to make young readers role their eyes and yet have every reader anxious for the next installment.
In this version of Jack and the Beanstalk our Jack buys the magic beans by pawning his most precious possession--his dead father's coat. He uses the beans as part of an elaborate plan to rob the giant Blunderboar. The plan goes horribly wrong; as Jack escapes from Blunderboar's penthouse he is followed by one of the giant's lieutenants. when he follows Jack down the beanstalk he ends up falling to his death.
Jack races back to the tenement where he lives with his mother in their ground floor bakery. He finds disaster due to a bean mistakenly thrown away: another beanstalk has sprouted and is causing the destruction of the entire building. Although Jack ensures everyone gets out of the tenement safely, Blunderboar swears revenge against Jack for giantcide and Jack's mother tells him she is ashamed of him and he should leave.
Jack rides the train out of the city into the Wild West and meets Rapunzel. With Rapunzel Jack discovers a better part of himself and succeeds in gaining a reward which he wants to use to rebuild his mother's home and business.
The story jumps back to the present as Jack returns to the city accompanied by Rapunzel, intending to right his past wrongs. But things in the city are much worse than when Jack left. The people are besieged by the "Ant People," a terrifyingly gigantic race of ants that walk upright like humans. Blunderboar--the same giant who had sworn revenge on Jack--is now running the city, using his giant forces to battle the Ant People for the citizens.
Jack and Rapunzel team up with a young newspaperman--of whom Jack becomes jealous when he sees him with Rapunzel--who is speaking out against Blunderboar. Jack finds out that Blunderboar is holding his mother prisoner in his fortress, using her to bake bread with a gruesome ingredient. Anxious to rescue his mother and terrified Rapunzel will discover the truth about his past illegal activities the trio nonetheless uncover the fact Blunderboar is not the savior he claims to be.
They plan to expose him to the citizens and set things right in the city. Again we have a nail-biting climax to a fast-paced, funny adventure. This conclusion even includes a dual admission of love--again, enough to make young readers role their eyes and yet have every reader anxious for the next installment.
rizahw's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent! A great sequel to its predecessor, a light and fun story, and it’s great action, mystery and romance! Loved this one so much for a quick read!
sngick's review against another edition
4.0
I actually liked this one better than Rapunzel's Revenge. Found myself laughing at Jack's thoughts & words quite a bit. Great twist on a classic.
danae_leu's review against another edition
5.0
Everything about this graphic-action-superhero-romance works! I confess I find the graphic novel a challenge for my over forty brain to comprehend. But when a work has a luscious visual landscape, with action sequences that flow smooth film, mixed with witty dialogue and character development that would make Nora Ephron sit up and take notice, my brain is not only engaged but jubilant to meet this story head on.
I'm glad I got first crack at this because once my students get wiff of it, it will only visit the library long enought to change hands.
I'm glad I got first crack at this because once my students get wiff of it, it will only visit the library long enought to change hands.
crayolabird's review against another edition
4.0
When Calamity Jack arrived at my house, I had to break up a fight between my two older children and put a timer on to keep the peace - everyone wanted a turn to look at it/read it. If you haven't already read Rapunzel's Revenge, you should just on principle. It's a fun read and you'll have more appreciation for the characters in this book if you do. That being said, though, it's great as a stand alone.
Jack's a sympathetic character - always the schemer, always messing up in one way or another. I love that he and Rapunzel fit the caricature of the fairy tale story characters enough to be familiar and give them a skeleton, but Hale does a fine job of fleshing them out and helping them fit into the world she created. There are giants, of course, and other hideous and deadly creatures that make graphic novels so exciting to read. The sprinkle of romance was just right and the political intrigue was sophisticated enough to keep older readers thinking. Some new sidekicks kept it lighthearted and, as in the first book, the drawings are fresh and stimulating, those braids are cr-azy!
One of those books that is a pleasure to enjoy in one sitting, great reading for 4rd graders and up, I'd say, although a certain 7 year old I know loved it too.
Jack's a sympathetic character - always the schemer, always messing up in one way or another. I love that he and Rapunzel fit the caricature of the fairy tale story characters enough to be familiar and give them a skeleton, but Hale does a fine job of fleshing them out and helping them fit into the world she created. There are giants, of course, and other hideous and deadly creatures that make graphic novels so exciting to read. The sprinkle of romance was just right and the political intrigue was sophisticated enough to keep older readers thinking. Some new sidekicks kept it lighthearted and, as in the first book, the drawings are fresh and stimulating, those braids are cr-azy!
One of those books that is a pleasure to enjoy in one sitting, great reading for 4rd graders and up, I'd say, although a certain 7 year old I know loved it too.
knightalorie's review
5.0
This is the sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge. Like the first book it brings in a beloved fairy tale with a new twist. This time it's Jack and the Beanstalk. Once again Shannon and Dean Hale write a thrilling adventure. There's something for everyone.
crystalreading's review against another edition
2.0
I liked Rapunzel's Revenge a lot more. I am not sure why, but I have never really been a Jack and the Beanstalk fan. Maybe that is why it wasn't as interesting to me.
daniel1132's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge. I love Nathan Hale's comics!
bookyjes's review against another edition
3.0
Very cute. :) The ending makes it seem like there might be a third book in the future. :)