Bad Island
Doug
TenNapel
ISBN:
978-0545314800
Graphix,
2011
Plot
Summary: Reese
isn’t too happy at the idea of a boating trip with his mom, dad, a little
sister taking up his entire summer vacation. Try as he might, he can’t convince
them that he’s mature and responsible enough to stay at home by himself. But
none of them could have expected that their peaceful trip would wind up with
them stranded on a deserted island after a bad storm destroys their boat. As
they try to make a shelter, they discover that this island might not be 100
percent deserted—it appears to be the home to some very odd plants and animals
that want to either maim them or eat them! When they stumble upon a mysterious
artifact and a journal of a long dead explorer, they discover information about
the island and become prey to the evil inhabitants that want the artifact.
Turns out the artifact can awaken a peaceful alien who is the mortal enemy of
the evil inhabitants. Will Reese’s family make it to safety or will they become
Bad Island’s next victims?
Critical
Evaluation: Bad
Island unfortunately isn’t as great as TenNapel’s other graphic novels,
especially his first, Ghostopolis,
but it is still fun. However, it is an action-packed, fast-paced graphic novel that
guy readers will especially latch on to. Reese is a sympathetic boy who wants
to just prove he’s responsible but is constantly treated like a child
(something a lot of teens can relate too). He finally gets a chance to show
what he’s made of on the island when he takes charge. There is lot of humor in
the story from the character of his younger sister, such as when she sneaks her
pet snake aboard the ship and he doesn’t survive but she refuses to leave his
body behind until she can properly bury him. Where the novel fails a bit is the
alien island concept. We are lead to believe one thing for most of the story
and then find out the history of the island and aren’t given enough of a
background to truly appreciate it.
Reader's
Annotation:
Robot mecha warriors? A dead pet snake? Rock creatures? Trees that try to eat
you? Bad Island isn’t your average vacation
destination and Reese’s family is about to find out why!
Author
Information: Doug TenNapel was born in Norwalk
and raised in the town of Denair, California. TenNapel
studied art at Point
Loma Nazarene
University. TenNapel
began his career as an animator on Attack
of the Killer Tomatoes: The Animated Series. He soon began working in the
video game industry. In 1994, he created Earthworm Jim, the character that
would star in Shiny Entertainment's video game, toy line, and cartoon series.
He is best known in the YA world for his graphic novels Ghostpolis, Bad
Island, Creature Tech, and
Cardboard (Doug, 2012).
Genre:
Mystery, Adventure
Curriculum
Ties: N/A
Booktalking
Ideas: “Read”
the scene where Reese’s younger sister makes their father kiss her
(unfortunately) dead pet snake and be friends with it. (It sounds morbid but is
hilarious!)
Reading
Level/Interest Age:
14+
Challenge
Issues: N/A
Challenge
Defense:
N/A
Reason
for Inclusion:
A short, humorous action graphic novel that is stand alone.
References:
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