O. Henry

May 1, 2005
Gr 7 Up -O. Henry's stories are neat, contained units that translate effectively to the graphic format. All of the artists take a different approach to telling them. "The Caballero's Way" uses realistic drawings to complement the romantic and ornate dialogue. "The Ransom of Red Chief" deliberately evokes Denis the Menace-style art to tell a story full of slapstick action and humor. "The Gift of the Magi" uses dreamy illustrations to add life to the tale. One story "inspired" by O. Henry, "The Eye of the Beholder," completes his "A Madison Square Arabian Night" tale. "The Marionettes" is a great, suspenseful read with an ending that seems sudden and forced rather than a natural twist; the moody art matches the story perfectly. The differing styles are well chosen and complement the individual stories, though they can make the reading experience feel a little uneven. These are stories that can add to a classroom reading experience, and they could inspire graphic-loving teens to read some classic literature.-Sarah Couri, New York Public Library

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.