by Ben Hatke
First Second Books
September 2016
For some readers, graphic novels are not accessible. Visual books require a different type of literacy, and for those not compelled to read them, graphic novels hold little appeal. Mighty Jack may turn that story around.
What's different about this book
The illustrations and the layout in this book make it an easy-to-follow story. The plot line makes this a read-in-one-sitting book. I've always supported my readers that wanted graphic novels, but I didn't always understand the draw.
In Mighty Jack, the illustrations are so clear, the dialog and contextual clues so sparse but effective, that I really enjoyed the reading! The first thing I did when finishing was to search for the second in the series.
Yes; an accessible graphic novel, amazing illustrations, and a series read! A large number of my patrons aren't going to believe the treasure in Mighty Jack!
A comment on the illustrations: the size of the various blocks vary. Rather than a carefully and rigidly set size of frames, author Hatke and publisher First Second allowed the layout to vary from page to page:
And occasionally, the reader turns to a full-spread illustration, each of which appear as visual gasps dramatically moving the story forward:
First, I'll find the next book in the series. But after that, I'll be adding copies to each of my libraries and booktalking this graphic novel to every student and group that I can reach. Sharing not with just my graphic novel readers, but to all my readers - including those who haven't felt the attraction to graphic novels. I think they just may not have found an accessible one before, one with such a compelling storyline and illustrations. This was a great read. In any format.
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