This series has created a lot of controversy in the past, but I took a chance and read this first book in the new graphic novel series, and it was so good! I read the original books several years ago, and couldn’t really see what all of the fuss was about, but with this new release, and a simpler story involved, I am happy to report that I think the only problem a parent could have with this book is that it is a graphic novel version of a book they may have an issue with.
All of the same characters are there. The excitement and adventure is there, and now there are really fun pictures to accompany it all. Oh, and another plus? You get the gist of the story, but you don’t have to feel like you are signing your life away. This book clocks in at just 80 pages. I think it would be a fun read aloud. It could also be a way to get teens who liked the original book excited. (Think a book party where teens bring their favorite book along, and draw up a panel of comics from their favorite scene. I am all for getting kids and teens excited to read, how about you?)
So, don’t brush this book off as just another one of those banned books. It is always good to keep up to date on what is being published, so you can form an opinion about it and so you know what you do or don’t like–with reasons to stand behind your explanation.
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 1 religious exclamation; 1 anatomical term.
Violence/Gore: A man is stabbed in one non-descriptive scene; two minors are mentioned to be cut apart; a woman lies and says a baby died; a child goes missing; skeletons in a crypt are depicted in a creepy scene; verbal threats are made; a scalped head is depicted; a nightmare is had, ghosts are shown; an arrow pierces a man but does not kill him; blood is briefly depicted.
Sex/Nudity: An extramarital affair is alluded to.
Mature Subject Matter:
Death, violence, ghosts, thievery, kidnapping, evil spells.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Minors drink brandy; cigars are smoked by adults; wine is drunk by adults; a minor smokes a pipe.
