Graphic Classics Moby Dick

Title:  Graphic Classics Moby Dick

Author/Illustrator:  Herman Melville, retold by Sophie Furse/Penko Gelev 

APA Citation:  Furse, S., & Melville, H. (2007). Moby Dick. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's. 

Lexile Score:  N/A (ages 8-12) 

Target Audience: I felt as though this book would be a good choice for 6th graders and up.  It is a wonderful way to introduce classic texts without daunting task of reading it in its original form. 

Summary:  This story basically highlights the story of Ishmael and the whale from the classic version of Moby Dick.  Although there are some graphic images and "loaded words" scattered throughout the text, there is a biography of Herman Melville and research providing insight into the time period the book depicts. 

Evaluation: 

	4	3	2	1
Theme/Moral	The theme/moral of the story was worthwhile and provided a non-biased message for the reader.	Theme of the story was worthwhile but portrayed a somewhat biased message for the reader.	Theme of the story was somewhat worthwhile, but portrayed a biased message for the reader.	Theme/moral of the story was not worthwhile and portrayed a biased message for the reader.
Characterization	Characters in the story were relatable and did not portray typical stereotypes.	Characters in the story were relatable but some characteristics portrayed typical stereotypes.	Characters in the story were somewhat relatable, however portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.	Characters in the story were relatable and portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.
Illustrations	Illustrations in the story were relatable and did not portray typical stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were relatable but some characteristics portrayed typical stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were somewhat relatable, however portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were not relatable and portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.
Multicultural Aspects	Story provided accurate representations of  several cultures.	Story provided accurate representations of more than one culture.	Story provided accurate representation of only one culture.	Story did not provide accurate representations of  the culture discussed.
Historical Value	The story's historical references were accurate and did not convey a biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were accurate, did convey some biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were somewhat accurate, and did convey a biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were not accurate, and conveyed a biased opinion of the event depicted.
Self and Social Identities	This book positively counteracts stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book attempts to counteracts stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book does not reinforce stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book reinforces stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.
Language	This book did not contain any "loaded" words, and used alternatives to generic terms.	This book did not contain any "loaded" words, but did use some generic terms.	This book did not contain "loaded" words, however, consistently used generic terms.	This book did contain "loaded words, and consistently used generic terms.
Overall Rating	I would use this book in my future classroom and recommend it to other teachers.	I would try to use this book in my future classroom and might recommend it to other teachers.	If the occasion arose, I might read this book, but probably would not recommend it.	I would not use or recommend this book.

Overall Score: 15/32 

Literary Elements: Story structure, voice and though bubbles, variety of sentence beginnings, similes

Social Justice Elements:  Overcoming obstacles, Perseverance, Determination

Sample Lesson:  If I were to do a lesson with this book, I would have the students make note of the "loaded words" and do research into the time period in which the book was written.  I think it is important to explore the language that was used and how it has changed since that time.