Genre 2--Book Review 3

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yolen, Jane. 2003.MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD: WORLD FOLKTALES FOR STRONG BOYS. Ill. by Raul Colón. New York: Harcourt, Inc.
ISBN: 0-15-216391-3

PLOT SUMMARY

In her book MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD: WORLD FOLKTALES FOR STRONG BOYS, Jane Yolen retells fourteen folk stories featuring male protagonists who overcome adversity by wit, humor, and compassion. The tales come from China, Angola, Afghanistan, and several other countries around the world. Beginning with an “open letter” from the author to her sons and grandson, the author passionately describes the type of hero that she wants them to become--a winner who understands that “brains trump brawn almost every time.” The engaging stories serve as examples of how to be that hero.

Each tale is titled and then subtitled with the story’s lesson. For example the tale from Ireland, “Jack and His Companions,” is subtitled “A good friend is a hero, too.” The story begins with Jack as he takes leaves of his beloved mother to seek his fortune. Along the way he shows kindness to those in trouble who join him on his journey. Together, the devoted companions capture robbers and are handsomely rewarded for their efforts. In this story and all the stories, good triumphs evil.

The book concludes with detailed notes about each story’s origins and a return letter from her grandsons who declare that “…girls need to read these tales, too.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The narrative style in Jane Yolen’s THAN THE SWORD: WORLD FOLKTALES FOR STRONG BOYS is clear and straightforward. Traditional stories told in a traditional manner, the collection of world folktales engage the reader while imparting important lessons about the nature of being a true hero. Sharing the tales with children who are often inundated with violent images is a perfect counterpoint for their lives.

At times, however, the collection seems a bit preachy. The introductory letter and subtitles could be construed as forced. Perhaps it may be better to allow the reader to draw conclusions without the author’s heavy hand.

The cross-hatched pen and ink drawings by illustrator Raul Colón provide the perfect complement to the stories. One full page drawing for each tale, they seem as old as the tales.

Overall, Yolen’s collection is a positive, literary book which should appeal to boys and girls of all ages.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Review from BOOKLIST, April 1, 2003
Free of didacticism, these diverse stories give readers something to think about.

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, May 1, 2003
The prolific and talented Yolen sets her sights on folktales that demonstrate that "brains trump brawn almost every time."

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, April 14, 2003
These heroes win with their wits and hearts, not with weapons.

CONNECTIONS

Read Yolen’s book NOT ONE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS: WORLD FOLKTALES FOR STRONG GIRLS and compare the attributes for strong boys and strong girls. Are there similarities? Are there differences?

Have students create tales where the hero proves himself in some way other than using his muscle or violence.

Create posters with the morals of the stories.