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.

Book Matt Phelan Historical Fiction 2009
The Storm in the Barn Poster Image

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What's the Story?

Jack is a young boy living in Kansas with his family during the 1937 Dust Bowl. He has his good days and bad. On the bad days he gets teased by the town bullies and sees the town's superstitions played out firsthand. On the good days, he helps his ailing sister who is feeling the effects of the Dust and he chases after another sister who likes to go exploring, even though it's dangerous. On these adventures Jack finds the Rain King in the abandoned barn. It's up to Jack to outsmart the Rain King and bring the rain back to his town.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what the Dust Bowl was and how it impacted American families during that time. What caused the Dust Bowl to happen in the first place?

  • Why was Jack's father so angry? How do you treat others when you are angry or frustrated?

  • A lot of the town relied on superstitions to get them out of the Dust Bowl. Do we still use superstitions today to explain occurences or as ways to solve problems?

Book Details

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