The Unsinkable Walker Bean

Looking for great graphic novel? Look no further than Aaron Renier's new series, The Unsinkable Walker Bean!

The destruction of the city of Atlantis has been a tale that has been told from generation to generation. The story goes that the entire city of Atlantis was destroyed in one night! It were destroyed by two of the ferocious sea monsters. These two evil merwitch sisters have now been sentenced to spend the rest of there lives living deep, down in a trench for the crime they have committed. In order to survive in the darkness below, they turn their victim's bones in to magical pearls that light their domain and provide knowledge of the past, present, and future. It is the desire of many to one day come across one of these bones, and answer the mysteries of the past and future, but it would be at a great cost.

Walker Bean has heard this tale and other sea going fares countless times from his grandfather. He is always in awe of his tales and holds his sea faring grandfather in the highest regard. When his grandfather comes back from his latest voyage at sea, he is deathly ill. Walker rushes to his grandfather's side and is told some interesting news. His grandfather has found one of the magical pearl skulls that has been guarded by the merwitch sisters. His illness was caused by simply looking at the skull! He asks Walker to make a promise. He must find a way to return the skull to its owners.Walker is fearful, but faithful and promises to do as he asks.

And so, Young Walker Bean sets out on a journey to return a item that many men desire to own themselves, men including Walker's father. Walker encounters all kinds of odds and ends along the way as he sneaks aboard a ship of pirates, experiences recurring encounters with man who's not what he seems, and runs from the fabled (and most terrifying) merwitches. If you want adventure your got it in the Unsinkable Walker Bean!

Good news to Walker Bean fans! Aaron plans making this a series and the new book should be out soon! Keep your eyes peeled.

Check out this awesome display Qimby's made for the Unsinkable Walker Bean's release!
 
















If you liked Walker Bean, you might like: 
Game of Sunken Places by M.T. Anderson
The Underland Chronicles by Susan Collins
The Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi
Spiral Bound by Aaron Reiner
Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan 
Meanwhile by Jason Shiga 
The Bone Series by Jeff Smith
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Adventures in Cartooning by Jason Sturm
Treasure Island: the Graphic Novel by Hamilton Tim

The Underneath

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
Illustrated by David Small
Publication Date: 2008
Awards: 2009 Newbery Honor Book, 2008 National Book Award Finalist
Interest Level: 5th-7th grade, Reading Level: 5.4

If your in the mood for an adventurous animal fantasy, The Underneath would be a great novel to check out! An calico cat traverses through the forest alone. She has been abandoned by those she loved dearly and is desperate to find a place to care for her kittens. In the distance she he a song, a song of sorrow and gloom. She follows the sound of the song and finds refuge with the hound dog, Ranger. It is here she discovers a loyal companion who cares her kittens as if they were his own. Together they make a home in the Underneath, a safe haven, below the porch of Ranger's villainous owner, Gar Face. Under the porch, the kittens and their mother will stay safe from the wrath of Gar Face, who kills for pure enjoyment. Under the porch, they will stay safe from the wild birds and snakes, that would make them their meal. It is under the porch where the two little kittens, Puck and Sabine, grow more curious about the world around them.

Curiosity gets the best of little kitten Puck, as he decides to test the fates, and ventures to the outside while his small family sleeps. He feels the warm sun rays under his skin and questions why ever this would be a terrible place to be. His question is soon answer when he is capture by the man Gar Face. His mother quickly comes to his rescue, but she is soon captures too! Ranger will not stand to lose his family and tries to go after the Gar Face, but his chain holds him back. There is nothing he can do! The old hound dog barks and strains at the rusty, old chain, until his voice is raw, and his neck is sore and bleeding. He can only take comfort in the one kitten he has left.

There is more than one tale woven into the story, and each one has an impact on the future of Ranger and his kittens. You will travel back in time and unearth Grandmother Moccasin's sorrowful story. You will meet the stoic Alligator King, who spends his time in the Bayou Tartine, awaiting his next meal. You will learn what events made Gar Face the evil man he is today. And you will read a story about four very strong willed animals, who will do anything for each other. This overpowering devotion for each other gives them the strength resist the urge to give up, and to hold on to the hope that they may find a place they can call home.

Reader beware, this is not a story for the faint of heart. When I first glanced at the cover I was deceived. The bright yellows on the cover and the adorable animals on the front lead me to believe this would be a bright and happy story full of wagging tales and kitten meows. This is a story is not your typical happily ever after. It has that has some very dark elements woven into each story. There is death and suffering, violence and malice that will leave you with tears and broken hearts, but the message you get at the end will send your heart fluttering and cheering for the heroes of the story. The Underneath is a very empowering story that I highly recommend to readers who love of animals, and have a taste for a great fantasy novel.

Underneath Readalikes:
Keeper by Kathi Appelt
Whittington by Alan Armstrong
Poppy by Avi
Wabi: A Hero's Tale by Joseph Bruchac
The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival by Kirby Larson
Shiloh by Phillip Reynold Naylor
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Nurk: The Strange, Surprising Adventures of a (Somewhats) Brave Shrew by Ursula Veron