It was the originality of today's read which caught my attention, and as a historically set tale, it got extra bonus points. I am very curious why a bunch of turkeys are accompanying this boy across the desert, especially since it probably is not a normal reason... or one which immediately comes to mind. I'm hoping it has some humor, adventure, and simply qualifies as a all—around enjoyable read.
So, let's get going and find out!
THE GREAT TURKEY WALK
A Graphic Novel Adaptation
by Kathleen Karr
Helvetiq
Middle Grade Historical / Graphic Novel
144 pages
ages 8 to 12
Winner of the grand prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival!
Kathleen Karr's classic American story of grit, friendship, and turkeys—finally reimagined as a sensational graphic novel.
Missouri 1860: Simon Green is a bad student. His mother is dead and his father has disappeared. But he’s daring, and so when he hears that turkeys fetch a higher price in Denver, he borrows his teacher's life savings and buys a herd of a thousand birds. Then he sets off on the thousand-mile trek with his dog and a pair of mules. To survive the odyssey that follows, Simon will need grit, luck and smarts—and a colorful cast of friends.
Kathleen Karr’s beloved middle-grade novel of a resourceful boy and his herd of a thousand turkeys has enchanted readers everywhere since it was first published in 1998. Now it will reach a whole new audience in Léonie Bischoff's enchanting graphic novel, finally available in English. The adaptation has already garnered two of the world's most prestigious graphic novel awards: the grand prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival as well as the ACBD (French Comic Book Critics Association’s Award).
Kathleen Karr's classic American story of grit, friendship, and turkeys—finally reimagined as a sensational graphic novel.
Missouri 1860: Simon Green is a bad student. His mother is dead and his father has disappeared. But he’s daring, and so when he hears that turkeys fetch a higher price in Denver, he borrows his teacher's life savings and buys a herd of a thousand birds. Then he sets off on the thousand-mile trek with his dog and a pair of mules. To survive the odyssey that follows, Simon will need grit, luck and smarts—and a colorful cast of friends.
Kathleen Karr’s beloved middle-grade novel of a resourceful boy and his herd of a thousand turkeys has enchanted readers everywhere since it was first published in 1998. Now it will reach a whole new audience in Léonie Bischoff's enchanting graphic novel, finally available in English. The adaptation has already garnered two of the world's most prestigious graphic novel awards: the grand prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival as well as the ACBD (French Comic Book Critics Association’s Award).
MY TIDBITS
Determination to achieve a goal others find ridiculous weaves around turkeys and tension to create a grabbing read.
Simon isn't known as being the brightest kid in the area. So, when the teacher suddenly announces he's done with school, he's sure she's kicking him out even though she claims he's graduating. She wants him to find his notch in life and claims everyone has one. He's not so sure she's right, but soon realizes he might have the opportunity to prove himself, after all. With a pair of mules and a broken wagon begrudgingly given to him from the couple who raised him (they're happy he's going to be gone), he convinces the local turkey farmer to sell a huge flock to him at a great price. With the town drunkard as his helping hand, Simon heads out across the desert to make a fortune nobody else believes is possible.
This is a graphic novel version of an 25-year, enjoyed tale about a boy and his determination to prove that he's not the idiot everyone claims he is. I haven't read the original, and enjoyed this format quite a bit. The historic aspects come across with Western style and let not only the life during the time period come across clearly but also the surrounding landscape. The visual aspect also makes it obvious how amazingly impossible the task of moving 1000 turkeys across the desert is...if not impossible.
The text stays concise to create an easy and grabbing read. Each scene holds purpose and builds the needed emotion and danger. Simon is very sympathetic and treats others with kindness, while holding enough backbone to accomplish his task. The other characters he meets add interesting twists to raise the tension or make it clear how special Simon really is, while building heart. It's the type of story, which leaves a smile on the face, reveals some life wisdom, and lets the inspiration linger long after the last page has been read.
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