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72nd out of 270 books
—
746 voters
The Storm in the Barn
by
Matt Phelan
Tall tale. Thriller. Gripping historical fiction. This artful, sparely told graphic novel — a tale of a boy in Dust Bowl America — will resonate with young readers today.
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 d...more
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 d...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
September 8th 2009
by Candlewick Press
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Growing up in Kansas in the middle of the Dust Bowl, Jack is having a seriously crappy childhood. He’s constantly being beat up by the neighborhood gang, his father is depressed and considering moving the family anywhere other than where they are, his older sister is dying of “dust pneumonia,” his younger sister dances in dust piles, and his neighbors are fleeing the area or falling back on superstition to end the drought or participating in mass rabbit cullings ostensibly as a way to save their...more
A combination of historical fiction and fantasy/folklore make up this strange tale that takes place during the American Dust Bowl of the 1930s. A family has been suffering for four years now without rain. The eldest daughter has dust pneumonia, the youngest has never seen rain, the father cannot work the farm on his own, the mother realizes they must pull up stakes and move and now 11yo Jack, our hero, has been too young to help around the farm as he grew over the years. He thinks he is a klutz...more
If you're looking for a book with many elements, look no further! Matt Phelan's, The Storm in the Barn is a graphic novel encompassing historical-fiction, folklore and horror, along with paying homage to another great piece of literature, The Wizard of Oz! The text is limited, but the story unfolds in the beautifully stunning illustrations. Matt Phelan has captured the grittiness and haziness of the Kansis Dustbowl. I found myself squinting and peering more closely, feeling as if I was being tra...more
So, I wanted to love this with the same kind of passion I have for The Arrival, but I didn't quite. I give it three and a half stars. I like its unusual genre: historical fiction in graphic novel format, with a twist of tall tale and the incorporation of some of the Jack tales and "The Wizard of Oz." Maybe it was Matt Phelan's very soft illustrations (you've seen them in "The Higher Power of Lucky"; little sister Mabel is cute as a button) that belied the dark thriller hiding in this story. Befo...more
Thank goodness for the unreliable F train! It afforded me the luxury of poring over The Storm in the Barn for at least an hour last night! Not sure exactly why, but I had a lump in my throat the entire time I was reading this. I felt like Matt was carefully leading me somewhere and I was content to be drawn in and ushered along. Some of the sweetest panels for me were where Jack was talking with his sister who is sick with dust pneumonia. Their quiet moments as they read the Wizard of Oz togethe...more
fiction, graphic novel
This is a wonderful story about a boy and his family growing up in the time of the dust storms. There hasn't been any rain since the boy was five years old and it has taken a toll on their town. His family is preparing to move away to a better place when he discovers something going on in his neighbors barn. After a few different visits into the barn and finding mysterious puddles, seeing light and hearing loud noises he discovers it is the rain king. He has been hiding in...more
This is a wonderful story about a boy and his family growing up in the time of the dust storms. There hasn't been any rain since the boy was five years old and it has taken a toll on their town. His family is preparing to move away to a better place when he discovers something going on in his neighbors barn. After a few different visits into the barn and finding mysterious puddles, seeing light and hearing loud noises he discovers it is the rain king. He has been hiding in...more
The story is set in 1937 in Kansas. There has been no rain for seven years. Many people are moving away because they can no longer farm or live off the land. A young boy by the name of Jack Clark is desperate to help his family. They may have to move, but are unsure where to go. There is something in the barn of a family that has already left. It is the Storm King and he has held the thunder and lightning hostage so that he can gain power. But where there is thunder and lightning, rain has to fo...more
Genre- graphic novel
This graphic novel tells the story of a young boy, Jack, that faces many challenges to become a hero. Local bullies, his hard father, and searchng for trouble sister give him a run for his money. A case of the new "dust dementia" is taking place in the barn and it is up to Jack to save the day.
A. Area of comment- plot
B. I am not sure if I am very different, but I did not get much of anything out of this book except there was a dust storm in the barn. Graphic novels must not...more
This graphic novel tells the story of a young boy, Jack, that faces many challenges to become a hero. Local bullies, his hard father, and searchng for trouble sister give him a run for his money. A case of the new "dust dementia" is taking place in the barn and it is up to Jack to save the day.
A. Area of comment- plot
B. I am not sure if I am very different, but I did not get much of anything out of this book except there was a dust storm in the barn. Graphic novels must not...more
I picked this up today on a whim at work. After reading it, I was sure I'd come here to Goodreads to find lots of glowing reviews. Hmmm. Most people didn't seem to like it very much. I honestly don't understand the dislike.
Phelan's way of telling the story of a family struggling in Dust Bowl Kansas reminded me a tad of a Neil Gaiman story (and hush, ye who wail and say, "He's no Neil Gaiman!" No, he's not, but it's that same sort of fantasy-within-reality that's reminiscent of Gaiman's work). Th...more
Phelan's way of telling the story of a family struggling in Dust Bowl Kansas reminded me a tad of a Neil Gaiman story (and hush, ye who wail and say, "He's no Neil Gaiman!" No, he's not, but it's that same sort of fantasy-within-reality that's reminiscent of Gaiman's work). Th...more
The Storm in the Barn
By Matt Phelan
Phelan, M. (2011). The storm in the barn . New York, NY: Candlewick.
1.Graphic Novel Junior Book
2.This story is a comic like graphic novel that tells the story about an eleven year old Jack Clark who tells his tales about the Dust Bowl in Kansas during 1937. Throughout the story the author depicts the troubles and tensions that the small town goes through during these dusty times.
3.Illustrations
b. The illustrations in this graphic novel are appropriate and gre...more
By Matt Phelan
Phelan, M. (2011). The storm in the barn . New York, NY: Candlewick.
1.Graphic Novel Junior Book
2.This story is a comic like graphic novel that tells the story about an eleven year old Jack Clark who tells his tales about the Dust Bowl in Kansas during 1937. Throughout the story the author depicts the troubles and tensions that the small town goes through during these dusty times.
3.Illustrations
b. The illustrations in this graphic novel are appropriate and gre...more
1. Genre: Graphic Novel Junior Book
2. Summary: Jack Clark, a young boy, deals with many challenges in his life such as bullies, family issues, drought and Dust Bowl in the area. He runs into an evil creature in an abandoned barn, which Jack fights and causes the rain to come.
3. Critique:
a) The best part of this book is the graphic and text representation.
b) Through the graphic art, the artist is able to show as much informatiion as possible through the artwork and text in a limited amount of...more
2. Summary: Jack Clark, a young boy, deals with many challenges in his life such as bullies, family issues, drought and Dust Bowl in the area. He runs into an evil creature in an abandoned barn, which Jack fights and causes the rain to come.
3. Critique:
a) The best part of this book is the graphic and text representation.
b) Through the graphic art, the artist is able to show as much informatiion as possible through the artwork and text in a limited amount of...more
Told in comic book style form, Jack is a young boy in Kansas during the Dust Bowl. His family is struggling with the effects of the drought --one sister has dust pneumonia, the farm isn't producing, and they are all depressed. On top of all that, Jack is struggling with being bullied and feeling useless. There is something mysterious in the neighbor's abandoned barn and by unraveling that mystery Jack finds some worth and the answer to many of the family's problems.
I normally love fantasy and f...more
I normally love fantasy and f...more
The school librarian where I teach piqued my interest in this graphic novel when she mentioned that some elementary principals have banned this book from their libraries due to the presence of foul language and frightening images. Banning books is a particular pet peeve of mine, so I immediately wanted to read the book for myself.
I found the book captivating and suspenseful. Some of the images are indeed frightening, even for an adult. Yet they are meant to be; the story is set in the Dust Bowl...more
I found the book captivating and suspenseful. Some of the images are indeed frightening, even for an adult. Yet they are meant to be; the story is set in the Dust Bowl...more
Jack is a shy boy growing up in the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. He is beat up by local bullies, his father thinks he's worthless, his sister is possibly dying of pneumonia, and oh yeah- it hasn't rained in 7 years. Imagine Jack's surprise, then, when he finds quite the person in the barn up the street- the King of Storms.
Unfortunately, although I really WANTED to like this book, I just couldn't do it. First of all, Jack is not a very compelling character. Yes, he's bullied- but does that automatical...more
Unfortunately, although I really WANTED to like this book, I just couldn't do it. First of all, Jack is not a very compelling character. Yes, he's bullied- but does that automatical...more
In Kansas in 1937 there wasn’t much left of the once-hearty croplands except dry soil. The soil was so dry that it blew around in the wind, giving the area the nickname the “Dust Bowl.” People had to abandon their farmland and homes and travel west in hopes of finding work, food, and a better life. The dust was choking the life out of them and all they knew. Into this setting, author/illustrator Matt Phelan places eleven-year-old Jack Clark in the graphic novel The Storm in the Barn. One of Jack...more
I have read a few graphic novels and I continue to love them more and more with each one I read. The Storm in the Barn is a graphic novel about an eleven year old boy named Jack living in Kansas with his family during the Dust Bowl. Because of the lack of rain, the crops aren't growing and Jack isn't much assistance to his family or his community. All he wants to do is contribute to something and make a difference. One day, he ventures in to a barn and sees a giant figure that resembles rain. Al...more
The Storm in the Barn has an awesome plot and is beautifully drawn. I don't know much about the Dust Bowl years in which the novel is set, but I can say that I am empathetic toward the kids who had to grow up during that time. It must have been difficult to understand why there was a titanous cloud of dust overtaking your city. Even worse, there weren't many crops because there was no rain. This meant that the young men in the towns had to come up with another way to be valuable to their communi...more
Loved it!
This graphic novel was a nice, thoughtful read. The length it takes to finish Phelan's work is brief, however the ideas he presents are thought-provoking. Furthermore, you could classify this as a children's story. However, some of the themes are decidely mature.
I loved the way Phelan illustrated the panels. Like faded memories, the illustrations almost seemed to be disappearing off the page. Also, loved the facial expressions of the characters. Subtle emotions were displayed, especial...more
This graphic novel was a nice, thoughtful read. The length it takes to finish Phelan's work is brief, however the ideas he presents are thought-provoking. Furthermore, you could classify this as a children's story. However, some of the themes are decidely mature.
I loved the way Phelan illustrated the panels. Like faded memories, the illustrations almost seemed to be disappearing off the page. Also, loved the facial expressions of the characters. Subtle emotions were displayed, especial...more
I’m a fan of graphic novels so I’m a little biased when it comes to liking them, and this book isn’t an exception. It’s beautifully drawn, with lots of space empty of text, and Phelan is imaginative with the antagonist (and uses some cool imagery; I really liked the snakes nailed along fences). Story wise, the plot isn’t too complex, it reminded me of a folk tale mixed in with a creative coming of age story. However, it’s a fun read, and while I’m not aware how accurate dust storms are, I think...more
I award this book five stars. The pictures were amazing, the detail was superb, and the story was simple yet effective. The story takes almost no time to read at all. So it can be considered an UBER quick read. The only reason it would take you longer is if you stared at the pictures LOL.
I enjoyed reading the tall-tale, as the author described it, because it was plausible and enjoyable. It told the story of a young boy who saves the day. Classic. I also liked how there were historical references...more
I enjoyed reading the tall-tale, as the author described it, because it was plausible and enjoyable. It told the story of a young boy who saves the day. Classic. I also liked how there were historical references...more
This is a quick read, and my first graphic novel ever. I think the pictures are interesting, but they take away from the imagination and creativity of the reader. Although this book was mostly picture the plot was somewhat familiar and expected. I think this is a wonderful book to have in any middle school classroom maybe even younger defiantly not high school though.
It is about a boy and his family living on a farm, which was covered by the dust because of a drought. Being such a little boy, J...more
It is about a boy and his family living on a farm, which was covered by the dust because of a drought. Being such a little boy, J...more
Phelan, Matt. The Storm in the Barn. Candlewick Press. 2009. 230 pp. ISBN: 0763636185.
Genre: Graphic Novel, Folklore
Rating: 3.75 Stars. Takes place in 1937, in Kansas, during the Dust Bowl.
Summary: Jack is 11 years old, dealing with the hardships of the Dust Bowl, his sister's illness, bullies, & feeling like he is not living up to his father's expectations.
Main Characters: Jack, 11 years old, believed to possibly have 'dust dementia.'
Mabel is Jack's younger sister.
Dorothy is Jack's olde...more
Genre: Graphic Novel, Folklore
Rating: 3.75 Stars. Takes place in 1937, in Kansas, during the Dust Bowl.
Summary: Jack is 11 years old, dealing with the hardships of the Dust Bowl, his sister's illness, bullies, & feeling like he is not living up to his father's expectations.
Main Characters: Jack, 11 years old, believed to possibly have 'dust dementia.'
Mabel is Jack's younger sister.
Dorothy is Jack's olde...more
I just finished reading the Storm in the Barn. I am not usually a fan of graphic novels, but I this wordless picuture book captured and stirred some pretty complicated feelings as I turned each page. There are deep thematic messages that would stretch a kids thinking; although, I'm not sure that 9 & 10 year olds could understand it. I'm not even sure if I understood it!
The book has a sinister feel to it, and I was intrigued. The father's curse words will definitely be an issue; however, I th...more
The book has a sinister feel to it, and I was intrigued. The father's curse words will definitely be an issue; however, I th...more
From the jacket flap:
In 1937 Kansas, 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. A case of the new "dust dementia" would certainly explain who (or what) Jack has glimpsed in the abandoned Talbot barn-- a sinister figure with a face like rain. In a...more
In 1937 Kansas, 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. A case of the new "dust dementia" would certainly explain who (or what) Jack has glimpsed in the abandoned Talbot barn-- a sinister figure with a face like rain. In a...more
The Storm in the Barn is a compelling and imaginative mix of American history, folklore and graphic illustration, telling the story of an 11-year-old boy in 1937 Kansas, and his encounter with a mysterious, threatening man who is hiding out in an abandoned barn. A man with bag that rumbles and flashes. A man with a face like rain.
The boy, Jack, is living at the end of what we know as the Dust Bowl era. His family and his entire community is suffering physically, mentally and emotionally from th...more
The boy, Jack, is living at the end of what we know as the Dust Bowl era. His family and his entire community is suffering physically, mentally and emotionally from th...more
I had mixed reactions to this graphic novel about a timid boy living with his agriculturally-dependent family during the Dust Bowl Era. It hasn't rained since he was seven; he's now eleven and a sadder face on a child you never did see. His older sister has some kind of breathing disorder caused by all the dust and our hero has been accused of suffering from dust dementia. His father writes him off as useless and he is often the victim of bullying by the town thugs. So when he sees the spirit of...more
Phelan Matt. The Storm in the Barn (2009)
The Storm in the Barn is a graphic novel about an 11 year old boy, Jack, living on a farm in Kansas during the 1930s. It is the time of the Dust Bowl and Jack and his family are suffering from the effects of the dust storms and lack of rain. His father is sullen and angry, his mother is sad, his older sister, Dorothy, is ailing from dust pneumonia and his younger sister, Mabel, has never seen rain. When he sees mysterious lights and then an eerie face in...more
The Storm in the Barn is a graphic novel about an 11 year old boy, Jack, living on a farm in Kansas during the 1930s. It is the time of the Dust Bowl and Jack and his family are suffering from the effects of the dust storms and lack of rain. His father is sullen and angry, his mother is sad, his older sister, Dorothy, is ailing from dust pneumonia and his younger sister, Mabel, has never seen rain. When he sees mysterious lights and then an eerie face in...more
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I had heard fantastic things about this graphic novel, but thought it was just so-so. The illustrations are beautiful -- soft watercolor imbuing everything with washes of ochre, greys and blues-- but the story didn't work.
Set in the Dustbowl of 1937, Jack, a young boy raised on a farm, is the victim of bullies, the weather, and a family struggling to survive (in the case of his sister, literally). He escapes into town to hear stories from a local merchant, or reads with his sister from the Oz bo...more
Set in the Dustbowl of 1937, Jack, a young boy raised on a farm, is the victim of bullies, the weather, and a family struggling to survive (in the case of his sister, literally). He escapes into town to hear stories from a local merchant, or reads with his sister from the Oz bo...more
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Matt Phelan made his illustrating debut with Betty G. Birney’s The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster). Since then he has illustrated many picture books and novels for young readers, including Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli (Dial), Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle (Harcourt), and The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (Simon & Schuster) winner of the 2007 Ne...more
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