Treasure Island (Barron's Graphic Classics) [Hardcover]

Fiona MacDonald (Adapter), Robert Louis Stevenson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006 | Series: Barron's Graphic Classics

Young Jim Hawkins is the son of an innkeeper. When his father dies, Jim joins the crew of a sailing ship bound from the English port of Bristol to a distant island where a fabulous pirate's treasure is buried. In each of Barron's Graphic Classics, an English literary classic is transformed into a dramatic graphic novel with superb, atmospheric color illustrations and a finely-paced narrative. The tale--chosen from among important novels in the literary canon-- ill keep young readers fascinated from first page to last. Graphic Classics make fine introductions for young readers to the riches of English literature. Books are available in both paperback and hardcover editions. In addition to the stories, each title features a brief biography and time line of its author, a list of his important works, a glossary, and an index. As such, these books are suitable for classroom use on junior and senior high school levels.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–6—In this retelling of Stevenson's classic story, each spread is structured as a chapter and provides a short story arc within the larger tale. The elements of suspense or triumph that close each chapter compel readers to turn the page for the next piece of the story. However, the graphic storytelling leaves much to be desired, especially in the essential layout and presentation. The pages are comprised of a series of mostly wordless panels, depicting tight close-ups of the characters as their situations are described in captions paraphrasing Stevenson's prose with none of its luster. When dialogue does appear, it is placed artificially at the top of each panel despite the fact that it is almost universally meant to follow the caption it precedes, creating a dissonant reading experience. Vocabulary is defined in footnotes, and a handful of concluding pages provide some context for Stevenson's life and background on the novel. The volume may well provide young readers with a desired dose of pirates, but this attempt has not bent the format to fit the vintage tale. Try the version adapted and illustrated by Tim Hamilton, instead (Puffin, 2005).—Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH
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From Booklist

One forgets how much modern tales of swashbuckling owe to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic. MacDonald's retelling, an entry in Barron's Graphic Classics series, has all the important elements: the daring young apprentice, the tricky old seadog, the ruthless band of pirates, and, of course, buried treasure. Unfortunately, the pages are a bit too tightly packed, and each panel is overcaptioned with dry prose, which dilutes the tale's excitement and spectacle. The full-color art is highly detailed and realistically gritty, and the power of the narrative is impossible to suppress. A way into a classic for reluctant readers, this book, suggested for larger collections, is also a good reminder of what a rousing pirate yarn is all about. Footnotes on seagoing terms, background on the story and on Stevenson himself, and notes on pirates in the movies round out the book. Other adaptations in the series include Oliver Twist and Moby Dick. Jesse Karp
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764159763
• ISBN-13: 978-0764159763
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,880,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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