Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, Shannon and Dean.  Rapunzel’s Revenge. New York: Bloomsbury, 2008.

ISBN 978-1599902883 Paperback, $16.99.  Ages 8-12.

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A graphic novel combining the Rapunzel fairy tale with Wild West outlaw adventures.

#booktalk

Once upon a time just turned feisty!  This graphic novel version of the Rapunzel tale quickly departs from fairy tale formula, as “Punzie” crafts her own escape from the tower and meets up with horse thief Jack (of beanstalk fame).  Together the duo tumbles from one adventure to the next in their quest to take down Mother Gothel and deliver the land from her evil power, and the hero is a princess in pants.  Armed with Rapunzel’s lethal braids, Jack’s magic goose, and a bit of luck, the couple makes their own magic in order to destroy Gothel’s powers and thus rescue the land, its people, and particularly Rapunzel’s birth mother.  The story retains enough of the original to remind readers of the familiar fairytale: a witch has taken a child in exchange for the father’s theft of lettuce for his pregnant wife, raises the girl as her own, names her Rapunzel after said lettuce, imprisons her in a tower, and eventually chops off her hair. Yet added plot elements flesh out the story and morph into its own new version, blending fairy tales and low fantasy with an outlaw adventure: a saloon fight, wild boar ride, hostage rescue, prison break, prairie fire, and escape from a pack of coyotes precede the grand finale at Gothel’s castle ball.  Although Rapunzel herself isn’t seeking a fairy tale ending, a little romance may just lead to happily ever after… or to the book’s sequel, Calamity Jack.

#awards
2009 Leah Adezio Award for Most Kid-Friendly Work
2009 ALA Notable Children's Book award
2009 YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens
Eisner Award nomination

Click here for paper doll pdfs, readers theater script, and more!