Jackie and the Shadow Snatcher

by
Larry Di Fiori

Knopf, June 2006, 28 pp.
ISBN: 0-375-87515-8

Genre: Early Chapter
Subgenres: Mystery / Adventure
Reviewed: 11/4/2006

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Graphic Novel Page

Synopsis

Jackie is walking home from school with his math book in his hand when his dog, Baxter, greats him outside of his house. Baxter notices something is wrong with Jackie right away. When Jackie realizes that his shadow is gone, he and Baxter backtrack toward the school looking for his lost shadow. Not finding his shadow anywhere, they visit a friend of theirs, Mr. Socrates, the smartest man alive.

After much research, Mr. Socrates deduces that an old foe of his, The Shadow Snatcher, must have escaped from jail and is probably behind this sinister deed. Informing Jackie that he is the only one who can retrieve his own shadow, Mr. Socrates lets Jackie and Baxter borrow a boat so they can go across the river to the old hideout of The Shadow Snatcher. Will Jackie be able to muster up enough moxie to get his shadow back?

Jackie and the Shadow Snatcher is an book in graphic novel format and is written and illustrated by Larry Di Fiori. This book is intended for young readers aged 5 to 8.

Review

I grew up reading comic books. This format has evolved into graphic novels. Jackie and the Shadow Snatcher is a beautifully drawn and well-written graphic novel.

I love the 1940's look of the characters and setting when times were simpler. I also liked the pencil look of the drawings, like it hasn't been inked over.

The story itself if fun and fresh. Jackie is a character all kids will love, along with his bulldog Baxter. As for The Shadow Snatcher, he is quite a sinister looking fellow. My only wish is that the book would have been longer.

I sure hope that Larry Di Fiori creates more graphic novels starring Jackie, as I would like to see him and his dog in more adventures. I found myself admiring some of the intricate details in the drawings.

Overall, Jackie and the Shadow Snatcher is an excellent book that kids will read over and over again.

I rated this book a 9 out of 10.