Aotearoa Reads Details

27 November 2018

The Adventures of Jack Scratch: The Quest for the Hiss-Paniola

Author: Craig Phillips

Illustrator: Craig Phillips

Publisher: Me Publishing

ISBN: 978-0-473-47966-0

RRP: $29.99

Format: Hardcover

Date of Publication: 2018

Ages: 9- 11

Reviewer’s name: Trish Nash

Reviewer’s Job title: Deputy Principal and Teacher in charge of the Library

Reviewer’s School name: Corinna School

How highly are you recommending this book? Recommended

Many children I teach enjoy reading graphic novels, the way the illustrations tell the story and the general format and style of this genre. I am not a graphic novel fan, but I gave this one a go. I enjoyed the detailed and skilled illustrations with cats as the main characters and the way the illustrations tell the story so well. I appreciated the use of “pirate” language and references to the seafaring life.

However, I think to get the most from reading this particular graphic novel you may need a lot of prior knowledge about pirates, the pirate life and quests. This book, in my opinion would be best read at first with support and is a wonderful opportunity to read and talk with a child or a group of children. The child may then reread this book over and over again as there is lots of detail in both the illustrations and text.

Not every child will get this book, but for those who give it a go, they will find it enjoyable. I gave it a go and I did.