Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Candlewick (2009), Hardcover, 208 pages
Description
In Kansas in the year 1937, eleven-year-old Jack Clark faces his share of ordinary challenges: local bullies, his father's failed expectations, a little sister with an eye for trouble. But he also has to deal with the effects of the Dust Bowl, including rising tensions in his small town and the spread of a shadowy illness. Certainly a case of "dust dementia" would explain who (or what) Jack has glimpsed in the Talbot's abandoned barn - a sinister figure with a face like rain. In a land where it never rains, it's hard to trust what you see with your own eyes, and harder still to take heart and be a hero when the time comes.
User reviews
LibraryThing member amandabock
I feel so woefully uncool because I don't automatically love graphic novels. I find them lacking in depth, and I can't always tell what's going on. But I'm also willing to admit the problem might be with me and not with them.
Liked the story. Like the artwork. Had heard all the hype. Left me feeling
Liked the story. Like the artwork. Had heard all the hype. Left me feeling
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a bit dissatisfied. Show Less
LibraryThing member elfchild
What growing up during the Dust Bowl years of the 30s looks like from the point of view of a young boy who hasn't seen rain in 4 years. What happened to the rain? There is a fantastical element to the story, but it does not detract from it being excellent historical fiction.
Whelan drew me in to the
ETA: It sounds like I am bothered by the fantastical elements. I'm not. I love them - I just wanted to warn folks that this is not pure historical fiction.
Whelan drew me in to the
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story and had me googling for more information about the Dust Bowl years. I'll be reading more and there is no higher compliment for historical fiction than to interest one in the actual history. We'll be purchasing our own copy.ETA: It sounds like I am bothered by the fantastical elements. I'm not. I love them - I just wanted to warn folks that this is not pure historical fiction.
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LibraryThing member MicahCorporaal
The Storm in the Barn beautifully illustrates the story of a boy named Jack in his family during the Great Dust Bowl in Kansas. Jack's older sister has been ridden with a sickness brought by the dust. His parents are hard working but are discontented due to the failed crops and lack of rain The
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last time rain fell Jack wasn't even 7 years old. He is misunderstood and teased by a local group of boys. He tries to assist his father but is shirked off continuously. Feeling useless he often finds himself in the town store talk with the clerk or investigating eery noises coming from the barn. Little does the town folk know, Jack is the reason the rains come back. Matt Phelan captures the baren dust-ridden lands of the midwest with his brown and black tones. His sketches of the characters, particularly Jack and his father, convey the strong emotions one might imagine people during that historic event truly felt. Show Less
LibraryThing member AliceaP
Then there was The Storm in the Barn which I can only categorize as a Debbie Downer type of book. I'm not sure that this falls under any one genre. It's most certainly historical fiction as it depicts a little boy, his family, and his community as they struggle during the time of the Dust Bowl in
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Kansas circa 1937. However, it also contains fantasy elements of which I can't really go into without spoiling the plot... It's certainly rooted in reality because Phelan does not shy away from the harsh conditions that these characters face (don't even get me started on the rabbits). He covers bullying from both peers and parents. The protagonist is forced to watch a beloved sister struggle with a possibly fatal illness. The entire plot is fraught with tension and a dark cloud seems to hover over every page. What I'm trying to say is that if you're looking for a light read to send your tots to sleep at night then you should probably keep looking. BUT if you wanted to teach your kids about an era of history that's not usually dwelt upon in the classroom then this might indeed be the right selection for you. Show Less
LibraryThing member widdowsd
Emotional story about the dust bowl with very few words. Jack is 11 and is picked on at school, not appreciated by his father, and is worried about his sister who has dust pneumonia. He wants to help but can't figure out how. He keeps seeing strange things, especially related to the Talbot's barn
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and is worried he has "dust dementia," an illness he heard the doctor mention. He is too curious and determined though, and eventually risks everything just in case it might help bring rain. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Phelan has illustrated other books, including a Newbery Medal winner. This is his first attempt at a graphic novel. Inspired by the “stark photography of Dorothea Lange and Arthur Rothstein” he decided to focus on the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
It’s a little bit of historical fiction, mixed with
There are some very spooky goings on in this book, with a fantastical Storm King that the young Jack must defeat in order to get the rains to come again.
The illustrations are marvelously detailed, and yet stark enough to give a feel for the desolation and destruction of the 1930s dust storms. They also lend to the feeling of uselessness and despair that Jack experiences.
The fight with the Storm King is terrifying enough, but the scene that really disturbed me (more hinted at than graphically depicted) is one where the men get together to kill the jackrabbits that are eating what little the farmers are able to grow. I know this is a realistic scene, as I’ve read other books that depicted this. But those books were for adults, and I find it really disturbing in a children’s book. At least Phelan shows that everyone feels remorse over their actions … even the mean bullies who participate seem to realize that they ‘ve been unnecessarily cruel, and shed a tear or two.
It’s a little bit of historical fiction, mixed with
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fantasy. Jack Clark is a young boy on a Kansas farm, bullied at school and not considered bit enough to really help by his father. He feels dejected and useless. In addition, the family is worried about his sister, Dorothy, who has a lingering cough and escapes reading various Oz books by Frank L Baum. When a neighboring farm is abandoned, he begins to notice odd occurrences in the shut-up barn.There are some very spooky goings on in this book, with a fantastical Storm King that the young Jack must defeat in order to get the rains to come again.
The illustrations are marvelously detailed, and yet stark enough to give a feel for the desolation and destruction of the 1930s dust storms. They also lend to the feeling of uselessness and despair that Jack experiences.
The fight with the Storm King is terrifying enough, but the scene that really disturbed me (more hinted at than graphically depicted) is one where the men get together to kill the jackrabbits that are eating what little the farmers are able to grow. I know this is a realistic scene, as I’ve read other books that depicted this. But those books were for adults, and I find it really disturbing in a children’s book. At least Phelan shows that everyone feels remorse over their actions … even the mean bullies who participate seem to realize that they ‘ve been unnecessarily cruel, and shed a tear or two.
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LibraryThing member delatte
An interesting piece of historical fiction in comic form. The author's notes may inspire future graphic novelists.
LibraryThing member kivarson
Bullied by classmates and deemed useless by his father, can Clark bring rain to the dustbowl by facing down a demon?
LibraryThing member ShellyCBuchanan
This is the story of a young boy growing up on a farm in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl years. It has literally been years since it rained, his sister spend most of her time under a net due to disease from the dry weather and dust, his father will not allow him to help in any material way on the
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farm and the town boys constantly threaten him and knock him around. A little bit folklore, historical fictional and coming of age, this is the story of a young boy who comes into his own during very hard times through the power of his imagination and sheer force of will. The powerful drawings evoke the desperation of the era and and inward pain of a young boy coming into manhood. The limited text starkly highlight the difficult relationships at one turn and tender moments at others. Show Less
LibraryThing member jdieder104
The setting is Kansas during the Dust Bowl. Jack is the main character and has two sister, Mom and Dad. The dust bowl has been going on for 4 long years without rain. Jack's sister has dust peunomonia and coughts all the time. Jack is teased and bullie by some boys in town. Jack's life is gloomy
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until.....Jack fights King of rain. He fights the king of rain to open his bag where thunder is let out. Thunder begins to roar and rain finally comes down. Jack overcomes many obstacles in this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member ragingaddgirl
Every once in a while I find myself trying to explain something and find that I am completely at a loss. The Storm in the Barn is a book that leaves me in much the same condition; speechless.
While not entirely wordless, the images in this graphic novel tell the story. The words are secondary. Jack
While not entirely wordless, the images in this graphic novel tell the story. The words are secondary. Jack
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could be any boy during that time. With sketches and watercolors, Matt Phelan recreates the desolate landscape of Kansas during the 1930′s. In the story, Jack’s sister is reading books from the Oz series, and similar to the movie, the reality of Kansas is illustrated in muted colors while the memories and fantasy have far more vibrant colors. It is very easy to flip through this story as there aren’t many words. I had to slow myself down. While I was always trying to get to the next page, to see what happens next, I kept having to stop myself from turning the page too soon as I didn’t want to miss anything either. A beautiful story and it would make a great companion to Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. Show Less
LibraryThing member Poemyhero
A really interesting way of depicting what it was like during the Dust Bowl, and the impact that it had on the people. I liked it...didn't love it but I liked it. The art certainly played a role in my liking it, and really gave the story life.
LibraryThing member colorred
I enjoyed the story since I have an interest with the dust bowl, but I’m not sure if I really liked the graphic novel styling. It’s something new for me.
LibraryThing member vanessa6
This book has fantastic details within the illustrations. I loved the watercolor and the pencil work. My favorite part was reading how the author came about to write this book. It did a fantastic job including history within the story, even though it is fiction. I think this book could be great to
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use with students that are visual learners but are not strong readers. It could help draw the students into reading more by all the pictures and the discriptions within the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member anacryan
Great graphic novel about a young boy and his family during the dust bowl in Kansas. I found it engaging and compelling; more of a personal narrative of the time. The illustrations were simple but conveyed a lot of emotion and feeling. For older elementary through middle school.
LibraryThing member ilbooklvr
hard to follow; the basic plot made sense but I was left not understanding what the thing in the barn was or why there was thunder in that bag. Doubt this will appeal to kids.
LibraryThing member aakauff
As the Dust Bowl is sweeping across Kansas, Jack Clark, only 12-years old, is seeing visions of a strange figure throughout the barren landscape. Intrigued by the apparition and desperate to please his indifferent father, Jack sets out to confront the figure and solve the mystery of the drought.
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The muted illustrations range from drab gray-brownish to deep hues of red, offering just the right balance to this forlorn story of strained family relations and hard times. The subject of this fantastical graphic novel is certainly not joyful, but young Jack’s attempt to bring rain to his despairing community makes for an absorbing storyline. Moreover, the sparse text and quick-moving action of the panels will keep the reader’s interest. Although appropriate for a middle school audience, high school students may be better suited to the harsh subject matter. For ages 13-18. Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member claudiathelibrarian
5Q- excellent graphic novel that includes detailed images, economical use of text (dialogue) to support the images. Great use of fantasy to explore a historic event.
5P- graphic novels are very popular and the simple but weighty images will draw in readers. The main character, 11 year old Jack, and
5P- graphic novels are very popular and the simple but weighty images will draw in readers. The main character, 11 year old Jack, and
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the fantasy element will make this a popular read. Show Less
LibraryThing member sassafras
A tale of the Dust Bowl, told from the point of view of an eleven-year old boy. It has been four years since rain last fell on this small Kansas town and the toll it has taken on the town and its people is clear. Jack's sister is ill and there have been no crops to tend since the rain stopped
This is a wonderful folk tale told in graphic novel form. The stark pictures and bleak text match the historical period and work well to tell the story. This story is recommended to anyone who likes to read about the Dust Bowl era and also excellent for young gentleman readers.
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falling. Jack's parents have lost hope, so if Jack's dad can fix the car, his family will leave town. However, on an abandoned, neighboring property is an old barn, to which Jack is drawn. The barn is dark and spooky inside, but Jack senses something. What could it be and could it be the answer to the town's prayers?This is a wonderful folk tale told in graphic novel form. The stark pictures and bleak text match the historical period and work well to tell the story. This story is recommended to anyone who likes to read about the Dust Bowl era and also excellent for young gentleman readers.
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LibraryThing member JodiEasley
This graphic novel shows the dreary tone of those who survived the Dust Bowl. Although the vocabulary is simple, the graphics and contexts would be more suitable for an intermediate to junior high level. Due to the “dark” tone of the book, I would not use this novel in primary grades.
LibraryThing member PatsyAdams
Grade Level: 3+
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Themes: Growing up, sickness, Bullying, Dust Bowl
In this graphic novel, Jack Clark is eleven years old and hasn't seen the rain in 4 years. His little sister can't remember rain. His older sister is has dust pneumonia. Jack is at an
This was a great book. Very few words for the size of the book. Lets the reader use their imagination. There were a few pretty graphic inferences in the novel. The townspeople penned up a few hundred jackrabbits and clubbed them to death because the were eating the little food that was left on the land. It showed the impact that this left on the adults who participated which I would talk to the students about. Great book to use to have the kids tell the story as they looked at the pictures.
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Themes: Growing up, sickness, Bullying, Dust Bowl
In this graphic novel, Jack Clark is eleven years old and hasn't seen the rain in 4 years. His little sister can't remember rain. His older sister is has dust pneumonia. Jack is at an
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age where he wants to help but his father won't let him. Jack has encounters with the town bullies and also a few with the storm king who resides in an empty barn. Finally Jack steals the thunder and brings it outside because where there is thunder, there is rain. His father finally really sees him and wants Jack to help as the rain pours down on them both.This was a great book. Very few words for the size of the book. Lets the reader use their imagination. There were a few pretty graphic inferences in the novel. The townspeople penned up a few hundred jackrabbits and clubbed them to death because the were eating the little food that was left on the land. It showed the impact that this left on the adults who participated which I would talk to the students about. Great book to use to have the kids tell the story as they looked at the pictures.
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LibraryThing member DrApple
I have not yet "gotten" graphic novels. This one tells the story of a young boy and his family being plaqued by the Dust Bowl. It has a mythic quality.
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
This gem of a historical graphic novel just won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction and I am not surprised one bit. Jack is a scrawny 11-year-old in 1937 Kansas. Since the dust took over, he's had no way to prove himself useful to his family (he should be a strapping farm boy, but... no
From the color palette to the facial expressions, this is a beautiful piece of work with a great author's note. Although the muted color palette (throughout most of the book) and the subject matter may not have kids clamoring for it on their own, this will make a valuable addition to classrooms studying the Depression and the Dust Bowl. Highly deserving of its recognition.
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farm...). The town boys pick on him, his older sister has taken ill, and all looks hopeless. But when Jack sees a strange light coming from the neighbor's abandoned barn, he starts to investigate. Though everyone thinks he's crazy, Jack knows that something is hiding in there. What he doesn't know is that what's hiding there will save everyone if Jack is brave enough to face it. From the color palette to the facial expressions, this is a beautiful piece of work with a great author's note. Although the muted color palette (throughout most of the book) and the subject matter may not have kids clamoring for it on their own, this will make a valuable addition to classrooms studying the Depression and the Dust Bowl. Highly deserving of its recognition.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
I loved the muted tones of the artwork and how they fit the story. Sometimes the story felt a little bit slow though. I like the fairy tale feel.
LibraryThing member sbloom42
The art in this book is amazing. Grainy, blurry, brown tones brilliantly convey the dry choking dustiness of the Dust Bowl. The colorful, crisp drawings of memories and stories, which provide a visual link to Frank Baum's Oz series and to its presence in the text, are a sharp and welcome contrast.
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The multiple series of wordless panels serve as an almost stop-motion glimpse into the characters' worlds and through that, help to convey the suddenness of dust storms. Where this book falls down for me, though, is the plot about the boy's relationship with his father. The resolution of that plot felt much too hurried and forced. I felt that the main character's achievements should be celebrated for their own merit, and not used as a ploy to resolve a conflict which hadn't been the main focus of the story. But then again, I'm much older than the intended audience, and the quick-resolving endings are the stuff of fantasies. Show Less
Awards
Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee — 2012)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2011)
Oregon Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2012)
West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award (Winner — 2011-2012)
Kansas Notable Book (2010)
Scott O'Dell Award (2010)
Carolyn W. Field Award (Nominee — Children's — 2010)
Notable Children's Book (2010)
Original publication date
2009
Physical description
208 p.; 7.97 inches
ISBN
0763636185 / 9780763636180