Mini-Review: Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales

 by Nathan Hale
Series: Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales
Hardcover, 128 pages
Published August 1st 2012 by Harry N. Abrams
Age Recommendation: Late Elementary, Middle Grade

Summary (from Goodreads):
Nathan Hale, the author’s historical namesake, was America’s first spy, a Revolutionary War hero who famously said “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” before being hanged by the British. In the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, author Nathan Hale channels his namesake to present history’s roughest, toughest, and craziest stories in the graphic novel format.

One Dead Spy tackles the story of Hale himself, who was an officer and spy for the American rebels during the Revolutionary War. Author Hale highlights the unusual, gruesome, and just plain unbelievable truth of historical Nathan Hale—from his early unlucky days at Yale to his later unlucky days as an officer—and America during the Revolutionary War.

Since the release of Rapunzel's Revenge back in 2008, I have been a steadfast follower of illustrator Nathan Hale's blog, Space Station Nathan. When I heard he was writing a new historical graphic novel series inspired by his webcomic about Lewis and Clark (and the Bottle of Thunder!), I put it on my auto-buy list. When they came out, my brother and I got both books and spent the evening with them in our hands, swapping books when we had both finished the ones we were reading. Although we were both significantly out of the intended age range, we loved them.

Reading these books are a delightful way to spend an afternoon, whether you are learning about the events for the first time or have already taken more history classes than you care to count.

They present the historical material in a very digestible and entertaining way, and include a surprising amount of detail. There are also fantastic illustrations in the cartoon-y style shown on the two covers. The dialogue is informal with plenty of asides and jokes to break up the history. (Swedish swearing! Anacondas!)

Overall Thoughts: These books will easily keep kids interested, and I will happily pass along copies to my younger friends and cousins, as well as keeping copies for myself (to reread and reread and reread). Overall, a huge success from Nathan Hale. I can't wait for the next installments.

Review: The Pagemaster

by David Kirschner
Age Recommendation: Elementary
Hardcover, 96 pages
Published November 28th 1993 by Turner Pub
Series: none

Summary (from Goodreads):
Books didn't really interest ten-year-old Richard Tyler. As far as he could tell they didn't cause mercury poisoning, earthquakes, or any of the host of other things that Richard was afraid of. This all changes, however, when Richard meets the Pagemaster, keeper of the books and guardian of the written word, and is plunged into a land where the world's greatest stories have become reality. Upon entering the realm of classic literature, Richard watches kindly Dr. Jekyll turn into the maniacal Mr. Hyde; comes face to face with Long John Silver, the meanest, most black-hearted pirate who ever sailed the seven seas; and is swallowed whole by a firebreathing dragon.

Timid and overcautious, all Richard wanted was to get out of a rainstorm and call his parents. Instead, he is given an adventure that will change his life forever. Joined by three unlikely companions-library books who have come to life-Richard is forced to confront his fears and find the courage he didn't know he possessed. What began as a young boy's quest for home and safety turns into a voyage of personal growth, friendship, and an appreciation for the power of books. Heeding the advice of the Pagemaste, When in doubt, look to the books," Richard learns lessons about literature, life, and humanity.

My Review:
Had I begun The Pagemaster with different expectations, I think I would have liked it quite a lot. As it was, however, I was expecting a MG with illustrations, and I got a very text-heavy picture book.

Because there was so much text, I kept wanting the writing to be just a little bit more sophisticated, and getting frustrated when it continued to be "dumbed down." Even if the book was written for kids, it could still have writing enjoyable for people who might, for instance, be reading it to those kids. And if it was for kids, it was very long for a picture book, and I doubt someone learning to read or having a book read to them would be able to sit through the entire book. Maybe it would be a good read-aloud book if split across several days. The chapters even provide convenient stopping places.

The pace was a little strange, slowing down at parts to describe a scene, and speeding through others only to get a point across (usually to introduce a character from another book) and continue with the story. Apparently there’s a movie, which might have influenced the style and odd pace.

I did enjoy the whole premise (I've always been a fan of the main-character-goes-into-a-book storyline) and liked the references to famous literary works, although I'm not sure how many of the references kids would get (Moby Dick? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?).

Overall Thoughts: Despite the unsophisticated writing and the choppy pace, I really liked both the story aqnd the illustrations, and I'd pass the book on to others to experience Richard’s journey with him.