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1. Bibliographic Information:
Cannon, K. (2009). Far arden. Marietta, Georgia: Top Shelf Productions.
ISBN 1603090363
400 Pages
2. Plot Summary
Army Shanks, a former member of the Royal Canadian Arctic Navy (RCAN) turned pirate, is searching for the mythical, tropical island, Far Arden in Canada’s Arctic. He always promised his mentor and friend Simon Arctavius that they would both find the island. After Army Shanks was marooned, and for three years presumed dead, Simon Arctavius left to find the island. When he returns, Army Shanks feels compelled to finish what he started and decides to find Far Arden and Simon Arctavius. However, Shanks is sidetracked by the RCAN, his long lost nephew, his on-again off-again love Fortuna, circus members, his once peer turned enemy, and a horde of other characters. Filled with mistaken agendas, deception and conspiracies, Shanks must now embark on a zany adventure. Will Shanks be reunited with Arctavius, and find the tropical island of Far Arden or is Far Arden just a figment of the imagination?
3. Critical Evaluation
I was pleasantly surprised about the quality and complexity of this graphic novel. The plot line initially seemed ridiculous, but the author was able to tie multiple plot lines together to weave an interesting and comical look at Shanks’ adventures. The themes can actually be quite serious despite the humor of the story. Looking at the role of the military and government bureaucracy, Cannon makes some pretty scathing assertions about how corrupt and self-serving these political and military organizations can be. Additionally, Cannon looks at the role of the environment, in which he seems to feel somewhat skeptical. There are examples of boring lectures about global warming, a murderous polar bear on the loose, and an island that produces hazardous gases. Through these adventures, the reader gets a feel for Canada’s culture and, surprisingly, even current events: the idea of exploration and undiscovered territories, as well as global warming and its effects on Polar Bears. Ultimately, this graphic novel is an interesting example of political satire and comedy.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Meet Army Shanks, a former member of the Royal Canadian Arctic Navy. He is currently searching for the mysterious island of Far Arden rumored to be a tropical island, but not all is what it seems.
5. Information about the Author:
Kevin Cannon lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Ginnell College in central Iowa. His graphic novel, Far Arden is also available online at
http://www.kevincannon.org/288hour/
Cannon, K. (2009). Far arden. Marietta, Georgia: Top Shelf Productions.
ISBN 1603090363
400 Pages
2. Plot Summary
Army Shanks, a former member of the Royal Canadian Arctic Navy (RCAN) turned pirate, is searching for the mythical, tropical island, Far Arden in Canada’s Arctic. He always promised his mentor and friend Simon Arctavius that they would both find the island. After Army Shanks was marooned, and for three years presumed dead, Simon Arctavius left to find the island. When he returns, Army Shanks feels compelled to finish what he started and decides to find Far Arden and Simon Arctavius. However, Shanks is sidetracked by the RCAN, his long lost nephew, his on-again off-again love Fortuna, circus members, his once peer turned enemy, and a horde of other characters. Filled with mistaken agendas, deception and conspiracies, Shanks must now embark on a zany adventure. Will Shanks be reunited with Arctavius, and find the tropical island of Far Arden or is Far Arden just a figment of the imagination?
3. Critical Evaluation
I was pleasantly surprised about the quality and complexity of this graphic novel. The plot line initially seemed ridiculous, but the author was able to tie multiple plot lines together to weave an interesting and comical look at Shanks’ adventures. The themes can actually be quite serious despite the humor of the story. Looking at the role of the military and government bureaucracy, Cannon makes some pretty scathing assertions about how corrupt and self-serving these political and military organizations can be. Additionally, Cannon looks at the role of the environment, in which he seems to feel somewhat skeptical. There are examples of boring lectures about global warming, a murderous polar bear on the loose, and an island that produces hazardous gases. Through these adventures, the reader gets a feel for Canada’s culture and, surprisingly, even current events: the idea of exploration and undiscovered territories, as well as global warming and its effects on Polar Bears. Ultimately, this graphic novel is an interesting example of political satire and comedy.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Meet Army Shanks, a former member of the Royal Canadian Arctic Navy. He is currently searching for the mysterious island of Far Arden rumored to be a tropical island, but not all is what it seems.
5. Information about the Author:
Kevin Cannon lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Ginnell College in central Iowa. His graphic novel, Far Arden is also available online at
http://www.kevincannon.org/288hour/
6. Genre
Graphic Novel: Comedy
7. Curriculum Ties
Learning about other cultures: Canada
8. Booktalking Ideas:
- How does this graphic novel play off of Canadian stereotypes?
- How does this graphic novel examine global issues?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
There are many plot lines, which would be difficult for a young reader to follow; therefore, I would recommend that this book would be best suited for older teen readers between the ages of 15-18.
10. Challenge Issues
This graphic novel has instances of cursing, violence, nudity and sexual innuendo. Therefore, some adults might not want their children to read this graphic novel. If challenges occurred I would refer angry patrons to the American Library Association’s challenge form found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
This was one of the books I chose for another class on Canadian Literature (LIBR 271A). However, when I found out that the author was not Canadian and I could not use it for that class, I immediately thought of this assignment.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Cannon, K. (2010). Bio. Retrieved from http://kevincannon.org/
Cannon, K. (2006). Far Arden. Retrieved from http://www.kevincannon.org/288hour/
Picture
Amazon.com. (2010). Far Arden. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Far-Arden-Kevin-Cannon/dp/1603090363/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268701190&sr=1-1
13. Awards
2010 Eisner Award Nominee
2010 Izzer Award
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