Castaways [Hardcover]

Rob Vollmar (Author), Pablo G. Callejo (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2007

The first graphic novel by the best-selling team of Bluesman. An emotionally powerful tale, drawn from the fabric of America itself, that follows the adventures of young Tucker Freeman as he is compelled to hop a train to escape from the crippling poverty of his rural existence.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An attractive expanded and color-enhanced version of the Depression era story that was nominated for an Eisner award as Best Single Issue/One Shot in 2002. Afraid that he's just a burden on his family, 13-year-old Tucker Freeman lets himself be driven away from home and jumps on a freight train heading west. His inexperience makes him vulnerable to all the angry, desperate people looking for any way they can survive during America's economic collapse, but fortunately he's taken under the wing of Elijah Hopkins, an elderly colored man who introduces him to the cooperative hobo subculture. In the company of other social castoffs, Tucker discovers that he does have choices of how to live and where to go. Vollmer's script, based on family reminiscences, rings true; his dialogue has the vocabulary and the rhythms of real people talking, and the characters behave in the sometimes mean but sometimes generous way that real people do. Without glamorizing the characters or their surroundings, Callejo's art creates a solid setting in which Tucker's experience can reveal squalor or grace. Like Huckleberry Finn, this story doesn't pretend to solve the whole society's problems, but it does show a small, convincing human victory. (Mar.)
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From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up–Originally published in 2002, The Castaways makes its debut in a beautiful hardcover edition with a new epilogue. Set during the Great Depression, it tells the story of Tucker Freeman, 13, who is forced to follow in his father's footsteps and brave the life of a hobo. His first attempt at jumping a train is successful but terrifying, and when he arrives at the train yard, he puts his faith in Elijah Hopkins, an African-American professional 'bo who serves as Tucker's mentor. Through him, Tucker finds the strength to carve his own path in life. Vollmar and Callejo vividly create a world of travelers searching for work, parents who can't afford to feed their children, and prejudice that is only overlooked by kindred spirits of the road. The struggles of so many families become relevant when seen through Tucker's eyes, and the story of his own growth is poignant. The art, done in black, white, and blue, places the story solidly in its period and setting while truthfully portraying a wide range of human emotions. Fans of historical fiction, or classic novels by writers like Mark Twain and John Steinbeck, will find much to love in The Castaways, and graphic-novel buffs who like a little more depth in their comics will be extremely pleased.–Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: NBM Publishing (March 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561634921
• ISBN-13: 978-1561634927
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,233,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' classic acquisition., April 18, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Castaways (Hardcover)

This first graphic novel by the team of 'Bluesman' provides a tale following the exploits of one Tucker Freeman as he hops a train to escape his heritage of poverty. His search for his place in an America broken by the Depression makes for a moving set of adventures presented here in a new edition with a new conclusion not featured in the original release, along with a new two-color edition. Any library strong in graphic novel representations will find this a 'must' classic acquisition.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful images and story make for a great tale of the Depression, July 5, 2007

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Castaways (Hardcover)

Castaways by Rob Vollmar is a graphic novel portraying the story of young Tucker Freeman who runs away from home in the midst of the Depression to stop being a burden to his mother. Pablo Callejo does a masterful job with the artwork in depicting the era and its people. The scenes are all tinged with blue, as if even the air hung heavy with the sorrow of the times. The people are drawn cleanly and emotions are laid bare. A black hobo Elijah Hopkins takes Tucker under his wing and introduces him to the world of riding the rails. Tucker faces racism and violence in his time away before returning home a changed boy. The story and dialogue are well-done, and the action moves quickly. It would be perfect reading for schools for education about the Great Depression and racism. My one and only complaint is that is was too short. I wanted to read more of the adventures of Tucker and Elijah and their life on the road.