Review - The Storm in the Barn

The Storm in the Barn

by Matt Phelan
Candlewick Press
 

The Storm in the Barn is a graphic novel set in the Dust Bowl and is about a 11 year old boy named Jack. Picked on by other boys and ignored by his father, Jack is beginning to question his place in the world. If times were normal and farming was going on, Jack would be out in the fields. If he were older, he could help out working with his Dad more. Instead, he spends time with his sisters Dorothy and Mabel. Dorothy is sick with "dust pneumonia" and likes to read the new Wizard of Oz books. Jack also finds companionship from the local drug store owner who takes pity on him and tells stories of Jack the King of the West Wind and Jack and the King of Blizzards.

But Jack is drawn to strange things in the Talbots' abandoned barn. Flashes of light seem to come from there and when he investigates, the doors are locked. Jack must go through a great trial that tests his spirit and resolve. And if he can persevere, he will grow and his family will appreciate him much more.

Matt Phelan has illustrated many children's books. I'm kind of reminded Robert McCloskey and his Homer Price books. With sparse text, this story relies on its great illustrations to move. Done mostly in what looks like colored pencil, Phelan is able dramatically show the barrenness of the Dust Bowl. One of my colleagues commented on how well the billowing dust clouds looked. And as we learn about Jack and his world, the expressions Phelan is able to draw on each persons face make the story very emotional. We see the sympathy in the drug store, the innocence in his sisters faces, the weariness in Jacks moms eyes, and the anger within Jacks dad.

This book was brought to my attention by Nancy, one of our children's librarians. She always points out the youth graphic novels that come in that I'm not aware of. She was worried about putting in our children's graphic novel collection because it would get lost. Kids go to that area area looking for Spider-Man and Batman. With not too much argument on my part, she decided that it should go into the fiction area with a "historical fiction" genre label. She did mention that a child could get in trouble by using it for a school book report. I responded by saying if anyone complained, I would talk to them.

Suitable for every library, this book is a great way to introduce children to the Dust Bowl. Sometime scary, sometimes violent, I wouldn't let a real young child read it. But anyone who's over 10 should be able to understand and appreciate this wonderful story.