Mighty Jack
by Ben Hatke
First Second Books (September 2016)
Graphic Novel/Fantasy
What It's All About:
Jack might be the only kid in the world who's dreading summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his autistic kid sister, Maddy. It's a lot of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever. But then, one day at the flea market, Maddy does talk—to tell Jack to trade their mom's car for a box of mysterious seeds. It's the best mistake Jack has ever made.
Why You'll Love It:
Great for 5th-8th graders.
What Else You Should Read:
by Ben Hatke
First Second Books (September 2016)
Graphic Novel/Fantasy
What It's All About:
Jack might be the only kid in the world who's dreading summer. But he's got a good reason: summer is when his single mom takes a second job and leaves him at home to watch his autistic kid sister, Maddy. It's a lot of responsibility, and it's boring, too, because Maddy doesn't talk. Ever. But then, one day at the flea market, Maddy does talk—to tell Jack to trade their mom's car for a box of mysterious seeds. It's the best mistake Jack has ever made.
Why You'll Love It:
- This book, like many Graphic novels, will have wide appeal -- to already avid graphic novel readers, but also to those who love Fairy Tale retellings.
- Hatke's interpretation of the familiar fairy tale is richly imagined, giving girls—including one on the spectrum—equal weight in the adventure rather than staying true to the male-dominated original.
- The full color panels and crisp depictions of all the vegetation which comes alive is so well done. Kids can let their imaginations run wild in this story.
Great for 5th-8th graders.
What Else You Should Read:
- Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi
- Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
- Fairy Tale Comics edited by Chris Duffy
