Parents' Guide to

The Storm in the Barn

By Teen Librarian, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Engrossing historical graphic novel with a fantasy twist.

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This winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction is an engrossing graphic novel with a surprising supernatural twist. Some moments are heartrenching and true to history, like the slaughter of rabbits by the townspeople to protect what little food was available. Others are fairy-tale heroic, as the main character Jack develops the courage and inner strength to battle against the cruel Rain King.

The illustrations are beautifully done; their sepia tone provides the perfect companion to the few words spoken by the residents of the town. In the panels where no words are spoken, the emotions and looks on people's faces provide all the dialogue the reader needs. This is a touching account of life that children today have never known and of an unlikely hero and his crusade.

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