Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz
Interview with Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, Co-Creators of Spider-Girl
May "Mayday" Parker always thought she was an average basketball-loving teenager. She never suspected her dad Peter Parker used to be the legendary Spider-Man, until an injury made him give up his superhero career. But upon turning fifteen, May discovers something amazing–she's inherited her dad's spider-powers! Now May's ready to swing into action as Spider-Girl, and Peter Parker has a new reason to crawl on walls as he tries to keep his daughter from entering the dangerous world of crime fighting.
Created by Spider-Man writer Tom DeFalco and artist Ron Frenz, Spider-Girl tells stories about a possible future where Peter Parker and his girlfriend Mary Jane married and had a daughter. Since her introduction in 1998, Spider-Girl's adventures have been collected into many library-friendly digests and graphic novels the American Library Association calls "an excellent choice for girls". I spoke with Tom and Ron and learned how Spider-Girl was created, the challenges in crafting her monthly comic book The Amazing Spider-Girl, and the finer points of superhero fashion.
Michael Jung: How would you describe Spider-Girl/May Parker?
Ron Frenz: I see May as 50 percent Peter Parker and 50 percent Mary Jane. She's popular to the point where she's friends with both nerds and jocks. But when she becomes Spider-Girl, she can really be true to herself. Because when she's with her geek friends she has to deny her inner-jock and when she's with her jock friends she has to deny her "geekitude"–but as Spider-Girl she's using her brains and her physicality in a way she doesn't have to apologize for. And it gives her this wonderful freedom–so there's this great joy for her in discovering this aspect of her heritage.
MJ: Was May based on a real person?
Tom DeFalco: She was originally based on my niece. My brother, her father, fought in Vietnam and when my sixteen-year-old niece thought about becoming a cop, it threw him into a tizzy. He'd say, "She's only a kid, how can she think about risking her life?" And I said, "But John, when you were eighteen you were in Vietnam!" And he said, "That's different, I knew what I was doing. She doesn't know what she's doing." And I always liked that conflict between a parent who lived an adventuresome life getting nervous that his kid would follow in his footsteps. So when I thought about Spider-Girl, I thought, Man, I can finally use that great dialogue I heard of the two of them arguing all the time!
A lot of readers thought, "Peter Parker was a superhero! He should be thrilled his daughter is a superhero!" Except–Peter knows the dangers of being a crime fighter. In his eyes his little girl will always be his baby. And you don't want your baby to be at risk. I think those are important and natural feelings.
MJ: One thing that struck me as very original in the early Spider-Girl stories is they're narrated in the second person. Why did you decide to do this?
TD: When I was writing the first Spider-Girl story, I went through a dozen false starts. I'd write in a certain voice and it didn't work. And then I was listening to an athlete who was referring to himself in the second person. And I thought–Hmm! So I went upstairs to my office and started writing, and the second person just flowed naturally. And I realized–that's how the athletes like May are always talking to themselves! I get it!
MJ: What is the collaborative process of creating a comic book story like?
TD: Ron and I have worked together for over twenty years and we got into the habit while we were working on Spider-Man to talk about Peter Parker and figure out what he's feeling–what is his mental state, what is he trying to achieve, what's getting in his way? There are times when we spend hours and hours discussing the characters and then we get off the phone and realize, "Man! We never even talked about what the story is!" But the stories flow out of those talks. And we carried over that process to Spider-Girl.
RF: I would assume we collaborate more than most writer-artist teams. Most of the ideas I pitch to Tom during the course of any given day will be about character interactions.
TD: Ron, our inker Sal Buscema, and I get along and we love the craft of making comics. And when the team was made of our original artist Pat Oliffe, inker Al Williamson, and me, the three of us got along great too. I've always maintained that if the creative team is having a great time it shows on the page and the readers have a great time too.
MJ: A lot of readers admire the fact that Spider-Girl is realistically proportioned and not portrayed as a sex object like other female superheroes. Was this a conscious decision?
RF: Yes. May does look like her mom–she's cute as the day is long. But nobody would find her all that ravishing because she doesn't play that up. She doesn't dress that way. In the first story I draw her in baggy jeans and a halter top and at one point she's wearing overalls. And that stuck in Tom and Pat's consciousness, so if you look at the early part of their run, she became very tomboyish.
I love that Mary Jane is into fashion and her daughter is a fashion black hole who doesn't care about it at all. It made sense. It was one of those things where if you could only influence your kids more... But as May's gotten older, we've shown her say to her mom, "Let's go shopping!" And Mary Jane's saying, "Really? You never let me shop for you!"
MJ: As an artist, where do you get ideas for how May and her friends dress?
RF: I watch what kids are wearing. I buy some teen fashion magazines once in a while. My studio is just a couple blocks away from a high school and I see what the kids are wearing. The jean skirts are everywhere.
Our former editor Molly Lazer was invaluable to me. She was constantly giving me feedback on what May was wearing–I would get phone calls from her where she'd be saying, "My sister would so wear that outfit! I love that! You have her wearing Ugg boots! That's so cool!"
Now that we have a male editor, I'll probably have to be the estrogen for the team...
MJ: Both of you have stated that at one point, May Parker made the jump from being just a character to being a real person. How did this happen?
TD: I don't know how or when it happened. But I realized at a certain point that the characters were moving in their own directions. I would sit down, discuss a plot with the artist, and come up with a story. But then when I sat down to write the plot, the stories would move in different directions than I intended. And I thought, "Wow! I don't have to think about writing May's dialogue anymore–it just appears on the page magically!"
RF: To a certain degree the characters write themselves. As I get to a point where I can draw May without looking at my reference sheets, I find the character becomes very real.
MJ: What kind of readers does Spider-Girl appeal to?
TD: I think they appeal to people who are interested in reading stories that are chock full of drama, humor, and action. A problem with today's comics is sometimes you're in the third issue before the story starts. But with Spider-Girl, we always have a lot of stuff going on. We don't want to waste people's money!
RF: Spider-Girl is very much designed for a broad market. I love it when we get letters from young kids and second generation comic book readers. I love hearing stories about families that go on long car trips and bring Spider-Girl digests for their kids to read.
MJ: Comics are getting a lot more respect from librarians and teachers. How do you feel comic books are most valuable?
TD: I've always felt that comic books have one of two values–the story touches something inside you and then the comic book is priceless to you forever. Or it has no effect on you and then it's worthless. I know that's hard to define in terms of price guides, but on a personal level that's what it's all about.
As of March 2009, Spider-Girl will be appearing in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man Family, an anthology Spider-Man comic book, as well as several digest-sized graphic novel collections. Those interested in subscribing should visit Marvel Comics' website.
Arizona-based freelance writer Michael Jung is the Children's Books Feature Writer for Suite 101, an online magazine. Read his articles on comic book culture and children's literature by visiting him at http://www.suite101.com/writer_articles.cfm/spidercat
Ask Tom and Ron your questions at the Spider-Girl Message Board:
http://www.comicboards.com/spidergirl/
Contributor: Michael Jung
Further information about Tom DeFalco is available on wikipedia.
Further information about Ron Frenz also is available on wikipedia.
Reviews
Spider-Girl Reviews
Spider-Girl Volume 1: Legacy
Tom DeFalco
Illustrations by Pat Olliffe
What if Spider-Man had a daughter? Long-time Spider-Man writer Tom DeFalco and artist Pat Olliffe answer this question with Spider-Girl, a popular Marvel comic book selected as an "excellent choice for girls" by the American Library Association. Set in an alternate future where Spider-Man has retired, the series follows the adventures of Spider-Man/Peter Parker's teenage daughter May "Mayday" Parker. In Legacy, May discovers she inherited her father's amazing powers and decides to continue the family legacy as the spectacular Spider-Girl! There's just one problem... Peter Parker doesn't want his only daughter risking her life in a dangerous environment he knows all too well. Familiar arguments between overprotective parents and rebellious teens take on a whole new twist as May struggles to convince her parents she can be a costumed adventurer. This library-friendly digest contains Spider-Girl's origin issue and the first five issues of her comic book series, making it an excellent introduction to the character. Reluctant readers, particularly young girls, will enjoy Olliffe's photorealistic artwork, while Tom DeFalco's use of second person narration will make readers feel they are Spider-Girl as she swings through the city. 2004, Marvel Comics, Ages 8 to 17, $7.99. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0785114416
ISBN: 978-0-785114413
Spider-Girl Volume 2: Like Father Like Daughter
Tom DeFalco
Illustrations by Pat Olliffe
Think you've got a rebellious daughter? Try having a daughter who wants to be a superhero! Tom DeFalco and Pat Olliffe continue telling the ongoing story of May "Mayday" Parker, the daughter of Spider-Man, as she attempts to gain her father's blessing to become Spider-Girl. In Like Father Like Daughter, Spider-Girl battles old and new foes including the crime boss Kingpin and teleporting assassin Mr. Nobody. DeFalco also includes a subplot on teen violence where May's friend accidentally puts a student in the hospital and almost faces criminal charges. Such events convince Peter that New York needs Spider-Girl and he offers to train May. This digest-size graphic novel collects issues 6-11 of the original Spider-Girl comic book and mixes teenage angst with superhero action. A popular choice at school book fairs, Spider-Girl appeals to readers of all ages, particularly young girls looking for a female superhero. Librarians should know there are currently nine Spider-Girl digests as well as many graphic novels collecting Spider-Girl's current comic, The Amazing Spider-Girl. 2004, Marvel Comics, Ages 8 to 17, $7.99. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0785116575
ISBN: 9780785116578
Spider-Girl Volume 3: Avenging Allies
Tom DeFalco
Illustrations by Pat Olliffe
When readers last saw Spider-Girl, she had just secured her father's blessing to become a superhero and had already defeated an impressive number of super villains. Looks like smooth sailing from now on, right? Wrong! Avenging Allies finds May fighting her insecurities as she tries finding a place among more experienced heroes. Comic book fans will enjoy seeing Spider-Girl interact with all-new versions of their favorite heroes including Iron Man, Daredevil, and Captain America. Many of the heroes May meets are also the children of reformed villains, highlighting the book's themes of redemption and second chances. An ongoing subplot shows May struggling to balance her school life with her superhero extracurricular activities. One of those rare comic books about a female hero that manages to entertain without titillating the reader, Spider-Girl has a particular appeal for girls who see her as "their" Spider-Man. Indeed, Spider-Girl comics tend to be filled with several strong-willed female heroes who would make any feminist proud. An excellent choice for the graphic novel section of any library. 2005, Marvel Comics, Ages 8 to 17, $7.99. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7851-1658-3
ISBN: 978-0-7851-1658-5
Spider-Girl Volume 4: Turning Point
Tom DeFalco
Art by Pat Olliffe
Thanks to the current popularity in superhero movies, it's a given that many young readers will be interested in reading comic books and graphic novels about their favorite heroes–a prospect that can both excite and unsettle teachers and librarians. After all, despite the comic book's power to promote literacy, there are also a number of comics out there with mature themes and subject matter intended for older audiences. Even long-time favorites such as The Incredible Hulk and Batman have been known to showcase excessive violence in some of their storylines. Thankfully, however, parents and teachers can relax knowing that Spider-Girl–a popular comic book starring the daughter of Spider-Man–offers clean, fun entertainment told in classic comic book style. In this latest digest, Spider-Girl faces a number of new challenges, from dangerous villains to a new ten o'clock web slinging curfew imposed on her by her overprotective father. Another chapter showcases Peter Parker's near-tragic return to action as Spider-Man, showing readers that even superheroes can grow old. On the flip side, the digest includes a chapter devoted to the hilarious fantasies of Spider-Girl's teenage friends, showcasing the book's ability to shift from serious drama to lighthearted humor. Overall a fun and engaging read that reminds readers how enjoyable comic books can be. 2005, Marvel Comics, Ages 8 to 17, $7.99. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7851-1871-3
ISBN: 978-0-7851-1871-8
Spider-Girl Volume 5: Endgame
Tom DeFalco
Art by Pat Oliffe
The life of a superhero is never easy–even when you're not out fighting super villains. In Endgame, the fifth digest in the popular "Spider-Girl" series that tells the adventures of Spider-Man's daughter, May "Mayday" Parker struggles with the hassle of finding a date for the school dance and holding onto a part-time job. Problems also ensue when May faces the ethical dilemma of using her powers to become her basketball team's star player. But all of these difficulties pale when May inexplicably loses her powers and is kidnapped by one of her deadliest foes. In a surprising and moving twist, May winds up rehabilitating the villain through kind words rather than a fistfight, showing the book's enlightened stance on the use and non-use of violence. Filled with a combination of high school drama and superhero action, "Spider-Girl" offers stories reminiscent of the classic Spider-Man comic books from the 1960s along with a modern-day twist that will excite this new generation of comic book readers. 2006, Marvel Comics, Ages 8 to 17, $7.99. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7851-2034-3
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2034-6
Spider-Girl Volume 6: Too Many Spiders!
Tom DeFalco
Art by Pat Olliffe
Can a superhero still be a superhero without powers? That's the question May "Mayday" Parker keeps asking herself in this sixth volume of the popular Spider-Girl digests, which follow the adventures of the daughter of Spider-Man. After an accident robs her of her superhuman abilities, May strikes up a friendship with a reformed villain who lends her his old equipment to help continue her superhero career. But this decision doesn't sit well with May's father Peter Parker, who worries that May will be seriously hurt if she fights crime without the benefit of superpowers. Despite this, May's commitment to helping people never wavers as she continues rehabilitating villains and even restoring the faith of a few disillusioned heroes. Writer Tom DeFalco also introduces an all-new, inexperienced Spider-Man imposter in later chapters, who winds up serving as a foil to the more confident hero Spider-Girl has become. A fun, dramatic entry in the Spider-Girl digest series, fans should know that Spider-Girl's adventures continue in Spider-Girl Volume 7: Betrayed, Spider-Girl Volume 8: Duty Calls, and Spider-Girl Volume 9: Secret Lives. 2006, Marvel Comics, Ages 8 to 17, $7.99. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7851-2156-0
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2156-5
Tom DeFalco Reviews
Avenging Allies
Tom DeFalco
Illustrations by Pat Olliffe
When readers last saw Spider-Girl, she had just secured her father's blessing to become a superhero and had already defeated an impressive number of super villains. Should be smooth sailing from now on, right? Wrong! This third addition to the series finds May fighting her insecurities as she tries to find her place among the more experienced heroes. Comic book fans will enjoy seeing Spider-Girl interact with all-new versions of their favorite heroes, including Iron Man, Daredevil and Captain America. Many of the heroes May meets are also the children of reformed villains, which highlights the book's themes of redemption and second chances. An ongoing subplot shows May struggling to balance her school life with her superhero extracurricular activities. This is one of those rare comic books about a female hero that manages to entertain without titillating the reader, and Spider-Girl is sure to have a particular appeal for girls who see her as "their" Spider-Man. Indeed, Spider-Girl comics tend to be filled with several strong-willed female heroes who would make any feminist proud. An excellent choice for the graphic novel section of any library. 2005, Marvel Comics, $7.99. Ages 8 to 17. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7851-1658-5
ISBN: 0-7851-1658-3
Endgame
Tom DeFalco
Art by Pat Oliffe
The life of a superhero is never easy--even when you're not out fighting super villains. In this fifth digest in the popular "Spider-Girl" series, the heroine struggles with some pretty routine teen dilemmas. Spider-Man's daughter, May "Mayday" Parker, struggles with the hassle of finding a date for the school dance and holding onto a part-time job. Problems ensue when May faces an ethical dilemma about using her powers to become her basketball team's star player. But all of these difficulties pale when May inexplicably loses her powers and is kidnapped by one of her deadliest foes. In a surprising and moving twist, May winds up rehabilitating the villain through kind words rather than a fistfight, showing the book's enlightened stance on the use and non-use of violence. Filled with a combination of high school drama and superhero action, "Spider-Girl" offers stories reminiscent of the classic 1960s Spider-Man comic books, with a modern-day twist that is sure to excite the new generation of comic book readers. 2006, Marvel Comics, $7.99. Ages 8 to 17. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2034-6
ISBN: 0-7851-2034-3
Hulk: the Incredible Guide
Tom DeFalco
Stan Lee of Marvel Comics added The Incredible Hulk to his stable of superheroes in 1962. The scenario is a familiar one: mild-mannered Dr. Bruce Banner is accidentally bombarded with gamma rays from one of his Cold War projects, turning him at inconvenient moments into the 900-pound Hulk. As Lee himself admits, his inspiration was a combination of Boris Karloff in Hollywood's Frankenstein and Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The difference in this superhero is attitude: the Hulk has a very nasty temper. Fortunately he generally uses it in defense of the American Way against the evil empire of Russia. So what we've got is a curious piece of social history that could probably stand up to study alongside Mickey Spillane's pulp novels of the same period. DeFalco vaguely suggests this in his study, but overall his mission has been to give a chronological account of the comic book's plot and character progression. This has been achieved in the handsome oversize book brimming with slick, full-color illustrations on every glossy page. The end result is an edition for collectors' shelves. A pity. It also could have been a stunning foray into Cold War history and psychology. 2003, DK Publishing, $24.99. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7894-9260-1
ISBN: 978-0-7894-9260-9
Too Many Spiders!
Tom DeFalco
Art by Pat Olliffe
Can a superhero still be a superhero without her powers? That's the question May "Mayday" Parker keeps asking herself in this sixth volume of the popular "Spider-Girl" series, which follow the adventures of the daughter of Spider-Man. After an accident robs her of her superhuman abilities, May strikes up a friendship with a reformed villain who lends her his old equipment so that she can continue her superhero career. However, this decision doesn't sit well with May's famous father, Peter Parker, who worries that May will be seriously hurt if she fights crime without the benefit of superpowers. Despite this, May's commitment to helping people never wavers as she continues rehabilitating villains and even restoring the faith of a few disillusioned heroes. Writer Tom DeFalco introduces an all-new, inexperienced Spider-Man imposter in later chapters, and he winds up serving as a foil to the more confident hero Spider-Girl has become. A fun, dramatic entry in the Spider-Girl digest series, fans should know that Spider-Girl's adventures continue in Betrayed (Volume 7), Duty Calls (Volume 8), and Secret Lives (Volume 9). 2006, Marvel Comics, $7.99. Ages 8 to 17. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2156-5
ISBN: 0-7851-2156-0
Turning Point
Tom DeFalco
Art by Pat Olliffe
Thanks to the current popularity of superhero movies, it is a given that many young readers will be interested in reading comic books and graphic novels about their favorite heroes. This prospect can both excite and unsettle teachers and librarians. After all, despite the power of the comic book format to promote literacy, there are also a number of comics out there with mature themes and subject matter intended for older audiences alone. Even long-time favorites such as The Incredible Hulk and Batman have been known to showcase excessive violence in some of their storylines. Thankfully, parents and teachers can relax knowing that the "Spider-Girl" series--a popular comic book series starring the daughter of Spider-Man--offers clean, fun entertainment told in classic comic book style. In this latest digest, Spider-Girl faces a number of new challenges, from dangerous villains to a new ten o'clock web slinging curfew set by her overprotective father. A chapter that showcases Peter Parker's near-tragic return to action as Spider-Man shows readers that even superheroes can grow old. On the flip side, this digest includes a chapter devoted to the hilarious fantasies of Spider-Girl's teenage friends, which highlights the book's ability to shift from serious drama to lighthearted humor. Overall, this is a fun and engaging read that reminds readers how enjoyable comic books can be. 2005, Marvel Comics, $7.99. Ages 8 to 17. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7851-1871-8
ISBN: 0-7851-1871-3
Ron Frenz Reviews
The Donner Party
Scott Welvaert
Illustrated by Ron Frenz and Charles Barnett III
Books written in graphic format are favorites of mine. They are the types of books for students who are reluctant readers and never seem to finish a book on their own. They are also a superb way to introduce nonfiction books to young people. Young adults who want to read anything they can get their hands on will enjoy the graphics, exhilarating stories, and fast paced text. The full-color graphics make an enormous influence on the story. The author includes a box on most pages that includes narration that gives extra information to the reader to help with comprehension. This book is part of a new series about disasters in history, and this particular book deals with eighty-seven people journeying to California in 1846. During this journey, forth-one of the original eighty-seven people died. This nonfiction discusses hardships, disappointment, and how individuals had to make a decision about surviving starvation by practicing cannibalism. This is definitely a controversial topic. There are four chapters in just twenty-seven pages and all major facts are well covered. Vocabulary has been well selected, and this book is an excellent resource that could be used for writing a summary, a book report, or a source for research. At the end of the book the author includes two pages of additional information. In addition, there is a "Glossary," "Read More" section, "Internet Sites," "Bibliography," and an "Index." I highly recommend this book for children who want to start their own personal libraries, for classroom and school libraries, and for enticing the reluctant reader. 2006, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 6 to 12. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7368-5479-5
ISBN: 0-7368-5479-7
Jake Burton Carpenter and the Snowboard
Michael O'Hearn
Illustrated by Ron Frenz and Charles Barnett III
Jake Burton Carpenter did not invent the snowboard. No one knows who did, but in 1968, Carpenter tried out the latest winter craze--a Snurfer he had bought at a toy store. The Snurfer, originally two skis bound together, had been around for years, but there were drawbacks and Carpenter thought with a couple of tweaks, the board could be even better. Over the years, Carpenter worked to modify and improve the board and to create a market for his product. Ultimately Carpenter's years of hard work and determination paid off. Today snowboarding is a popular winter sport and one that is allowed at almost all ski resorts. In 1998, snowboarding became an official Olympic sport at the winter games in Japan. From the "Inventions and Discovery" series, the graphic novel format makes for a fast and entertaining read and is likely to attract reluctant readers. Two pages of additional facts, a glossary, and a list of websites and books to learn more are included 2007, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-6481-4
ISBN: 978-0-7368-6481-7
ISBN: 0-7368-7516-6
ISBN: 978-0-7368-7516-5
John Sutter and the California Gold Rush
Matt Doeden
Illustrated by Ron Frenz and Charles Barnett III
What ever happened to Mr. Sutter after gold was discovered on his land? By reading this book you will discover how the gold rush personally affected him, as well as the rest of the state of California. You will also discover what it was like for the gold miners who came to California in 1849. This cartoon-like book teaches children about the history of the Gold Rush in California. The facts are accurate and fun to read because of the format. The pictures and text look like they jumped out of the pages of a comic strip. The information is well researched and accurate, but the format is lively and easy for children to read and understand. The end of the book contains a section with a short glossary, Internet sites, and additional books to use for researching the gold rush. This book could be used in a history class as a fun way for youth to learn about the past. 2006, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Nicole Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-4370-1
ISBN: 978-0-7368-4370-6
Lords of the Sea: The Vikings Explore the North Atlantic
Allison Lassieur
Illustrated by Ron Frenz and Charles Barnett III
Who would ever need to read a comic book again when this fabulous graphic novel series exists? Follow the Scandinavian Vikings as they explore the north Atlantic from AD 700 to 1023. The illustrations practically jump off the pages, and the text is divided between factual ground-laying and conversational discourse. A couple of pages at the back of the book provide more facts: Vikings are frequently pictured with horned helmets but their helmets were, in all actuality, hornless. Another fact is that when they traveled on land, they sometimes ice-skated, wearing skates they fashioned out of animal bones. A glossary, suggested reading and internet list and bibliography are also included at the back of the book. This title would be a welcome addition to a library or a classroom with book phobics as one cannot help but absorb a great deal of history through even a casual perusal. Thi is part of the "Graphic History" series that includes numerous titles, including Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, The Buffalo Soldiers and the American West and John Sutter and the California Gold Rush. Highly recommended. 2006, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-4974-2
ISBN: 978-0-7368-4974-6
Winter at Valley Forge
Matt Doeden
Illustrated by Ron Frenz and Charles Barnett III
This is the story of George Washington and the winter spent in Valley Forge, told primarily through pictures. This title is part of the "Graphic Library" series, and readers learn about this period of the Revolutionary War through short text blocks and character dialog. A few speech bubbles incorporate direct quotes from primary sources, and students can be directed to look for the yellow background indicating these quotes. The color illustrations--featuring such details as the soldiers' bare feet leaving bloody footprints in the snow--may help readers to remember the obstacles that the colonists overcame before defeating the British. This book complements a textbook or chapter book on the Revolutionary War, but would not make a good source on its own. A good way to engage readers and introduce the topic, the length of this book and the format might over-simplify the topic for some readers. The book concludes with two pages of Valley Forge facts, a glossary, a bibliography, an index, and related books and websites. 2006, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Mary Loftus (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-4975-0
ISBN: 978-0-7368-4975-3
Updated 02/26/09
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