The Storm in the Barn

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Phelan, Matt. 2009. THE STORM IN THE BARN. Somerville, MA. Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763636180

PLOT SUMMARY
The story takes place in the sprawling plains of Kansas in 1937 during the Dust Bowl era due to the lack of rain the region and the nation's states of Depression. Jack Clark, a young shy boy on a farm and a human punching bag for a local gang of boys only wants to be helpful and please his father. One day, Jack wonders into a barn and meets a sinister figure who calls himself the Rain King. The Rain King is holding back the rain from the area so that the people will worship him. Jack, gathering courage, stands up to the Rain and in a showdown between the two characters the Rain looses to Jack and is sent back to the heavens. The story conclusion coincides with the end of the drought and Jack's father realizes his son's true potential.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Unlike most historical novels, The Storm in the Barn is a graphic novel that draws readers in with it's historical setting, thrilling tale, and very detailed art work. Reluctant readers will be drawn to the story due to the prevalence of more art than words, but even avid readers will be drawn to the fantasy-like story.
Matt Phelan illustrations are immensely telling, at times the depictions seem like a still of movie due to the carefully crafted facial expressions of the characters. Phelan uses muted gray and pastels colors to create the hard times of the 1930s and uses dark more vivid colors in the climax of the novel to heighten the mood. The Rain King's depiction is especially creepy, colored in dark blues and grays he is never seen without a cloak of rain about his figure and obscuring his face. Phelan's illustrations and words come together to create an impressive work of art that readers of any age will desire to read.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY review: “The big novelty here is the Dust Bowl setting, and Phelan's art emphasizes the swirling, billowing clouds of fine grit that obscure even nearby objects. Older readers might have appreciated more text to make up for the lack of visual clarity, but kids will identify with Jack and appreciate his success.”
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURANL: “Children can read this as a work of historical fiction, a piece of folklore, a scary story, a graphic novel, or all four. Written with simple, direct language, it's an almost wordless book: the illustrations' shadowy grays and blurry lines eloquently depict the haze of the dust. A complex but accessible and fascinating book.”

CONNECTIONS
Those that enjoy reading about the Dust Bowl or Depression era will be draw to this novel as well non-readers that will enjoy the graphic novel format.
*Similar titles:Sandler, Martin W. The Dust Bowl Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Helped Remedy a National Disaster. ISBN 9780802795472
Stanley, Jerry. Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp. ISBN 9780517880944