Into The Volcano: A Graphic Novel

Into the Volcano by Don Wood is a great example of the next generation of graphic novel for young people. Not intended for young children or adults, it's geared toward intermediate and middle school age students who are ready for the depth of a complex plot, but not yet ready for the mature themes of adult graphic novels. I'm not surprised by the wide range of reviews and ratings. Although the graphic novel contains some really strange characters and plot elements, the central story of Sumo's maturation is at the heart of the story. While some of the story's "twists and turns" were far-fetched, Wood's full-color visual elements are outstanding and his approach to storytelling is engaging. I wish he'd spent more time thinking about ways show more to incorporate the interesting scientific elements of the volcano eruption and less time on some of the strange side characters, but I applaud his unique perspective. I hope this book encourages others to push the boundaries of graphic novels for young people. show less

I've been trying to think of unique ways to describe this graphic novel without using "visually stunning" and "breathtakingly beautiful," but I can't do it. Every panel is a work of art. The scenes where the lava meets the ocean are perfect. It's just ink on a page, but Wood captures the light, the hiss, and the heat. The graphic novel not only stands up to artistic scrutiny, but also has a gripping story.

It's a mystery, adventure that appeals to a younger audience, but I found myself engrossed. Brothers, Sumo and Duffy, are pulled out of class unexpectedly by their father to be shipped off to an island with a mysterious cousin they've never met. The whole enterprise is shady, and when the boys meet Auntie, it gets even more suspicious. show more The book twists and turns, so the reader is never quite sure who's good and who's bad. The boys have to do some self-reflection.

Wood's artistic portrayals of the characters captivated me. I was shaken by overweight Auntie with her greenish-pink skin and broken foot. I immediatley knew something wasn't quite right with her. You can almost smell her. The boys have a pugish Hawaiian look, which made me not fall for them right away. That's a good thing. Most books aimed at younger audiences try to win the reader over to the protagonist's side with sentimentality too soon. Wood's style and scope gives the book a cinematic depth that I have rarely seen in graphic novels. One panel you're in the boat with the characters, waves pounding; the next you have a bird's eye view; the next you've been sucked under the wave with the boys. It sets a pace not unlike any good adventure film.

Overall, I'll be shocked if Into The Volcano doesn't win some awards. show less

Very Disappointing after hearing so much praise for this book. Clunky plot, stiff dialogue and unattractive artwork - I ended up skimming the last half of the book because I was so disinterested in what was happening in the story and because the book is just so incredibly text heavy to its detriment. Its a fine book to use in conjunction with any curriculum on volcanoes but as a pleasure read, not sure if this would go over so well.

I thought my family was a little crazy, but this family is REALLY complicated. Why would anyone send two young boys inside of an erupting volcano? This graphic novel combines incredible artwork with a survival story and family mystery full of suspense. It's awesome.

Brothers Duffy and Sumo Pugg are a little confused when they’re sent to stay with Aunt Lulu and their cousin Come-and-Go (that's really his name) for 10 days while their parents are away on business, but that’s nothing compared to how confused they’ll be later on. Amid earthquakes and volcano eruptions, the boys are forced to evacuate with trusted family guides into the maze of tunnels under the volcano itself. It’s soon evident, though, that the guides are looking for something… and the boys are the bait they need to find it. With the volcano about to blow any minute, it’s a terrible time for the boys to get separated from the group—but how else will they find out for themselves what their family is searching for?

The art show more is nice to look at, and the story could be interesting, but it jumps around too much. Parts of the narrative are disjointed, leading this reader to wonder if pages or panels had been edited out and the information not replaced. Chapter transitions are weak—the beginning of a chapter is the same scene and conversation as the end of the previous chapter, or there’s an unexplained shift from one place to another so the reader spends several panels trying to catch up on the action. The brothers are twins, presumably (they’re in the same class at school), but one is written far younger than the other.

Wood has won several illustration awards, but the ability to illustrate a story is not necessarily related to the ability to tell a story in pictures. Wood’s author bio says that he was “fascinated by the possibilities of the graphic novel” and that he worked on this book for five years—but his strength is not in sequential art narrative. Had he collaborated with a writer instead of doing it all himself, it could have been a much stronger book. It’s pretty to look at and the adventure can be compelling, but overall the story doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Recommended for collections where boys are clamoring for more adventure books. show less

Book: Into The Volcano
Author: Don Wood
Characters: Sumo, Duffy, Come-And-Go, Mom and other family members
Setting: Island of Kocalaha
Theme: Adventure
Genre: Graphic Novel
Audience: ages 10 - 15
Curriculum: Language arts, natural science class, English
Summary: Two young bothers are pulled out of school unexpectedly to go with a counsin they have never met to the island of Kocalaha, where their mother is from and has been for the last few months. They are then go to on an excavation with their newly introduce extended family members to find their mother. Little did they realize they would be on an adventure through the quakes, lava flow of an active volcano, boiling water and survival.
Personal Response:
I enjoyed this novel a lot more than show more I thought I would. The relationship between the brothers is a great dynamic to watch unfold and realistic to read. I also enjoyed the colors and imagery that Woods adds to the pictures to help the reader understand the environment the characters are in. This also ends up being a book of family and finding yourself as a member of the family not just the child to be taken care of. show less

Susan says: Sumo and Duffy are sent to a volcanic island very mysteriously, and are just as suddenly thrust into an expedition to the middle of a exploding volcano. While this book would be interesting to boys because of the adventures and suspense, it was a little confusing. Since the boys never hear the whole story (even who the bad guys are), I think it is more a take it on faith kind of book. This is beautifully done - the graphic novel is all in color, and it has a sort of lushness that is not often seen in a graphic novel. The fact that it is hardcover also means it will be more durable. But there are a lot of things in the plot which could have been better explained - until about 3/4 of the way through I had a hard time even show more keeping the boys straight. It will probably still circ like crazy, so even though I have reservations about it, I think kids would enjoy it. show less