Module 13: Cardboard

Image retrieved from Amazon.com

Book Summary: The book begins by showing us Cam's dad, Mike, being denied yet another job opportunity, letting us know that he has been out of work for awhile, and things are tough. We also learn that Cam's birthday is tomorrow, and his dad has nothing but a pocket full of change to buy him a present. As he is leaving the job interview, he sees a man selling toys, but all he can afford is a cardboard box. The man selling it tells him he must follow two rules: bring back any scraps and do not ask for more cardboard. Cam is happy to receive the box, because he and his dad can build things from the cardboard. They build a life size cardboard boxer and name him Bill. Overnight, Bill comes to life and becomes a close friend. The next day, Bill is mowing the lawn when Marcus, an evil neighborhood kid, comes over and throws water on Bill, causing him to start disintegrating. Mike quickly makes a cardboard maker out of the leftover cardboard (that he didn't take back to the toy seller, violating rule number one), generates new cardboard, and builds Bill new legs. Later, Marcus comes back over and pretends to apologize and become friends with Cam, but really steals the cardboard maker when Cam isn't looking. Marcus creates a whole cardboard kingdom, with the idea that he will be the king, but the kingdom gets out of control, and his cardboard monsters create a cardboard Marcus to serve instead of serving the real Marcus. The monsters destroy Marcus's house, and soon Cam, Marcus, Bill, and Mike are fighting to stop the cardboard from spreading and to save themselves from the evil kingdom. Eventually, Cam helps Marcus see that he was really being a bully out of his own insecurities, and Bill sacrifices himself by wetting all the cardboard, including himself. Also, Marcus's rich parents hire Mike to rebuild their house, Mike learns to move on from his wife's death and go out with a nice neighbor, and Cam and Marcus become real friends. A real man named Bill also comes along and begins working with Mike.

APA Reference:
TenNapel, D. (2012). Cardboard. New York: Graphix.

Impressions: I am new to the world of graphic novels, and this is the third I'd ever read. I really enjoyed the creativity of it (as I am learning graphic novels can be way outside the box, with their abilities to show the reader exactly what the author wants them to see) and the way TenNapel used something so simple, making crafts out of cardboard, to comment on a much deeper issue that a lot of kids can probably relate to: the death of a parent (Cam's mom), a parent being out of work (Mike), or, in Marcus's case, dealing with personal insecurities. The book has plenty of action, and I think it would be a great choice to appeal to boys who like action and/or comics, but with this book they still get a real, substantial plot. I, as a reader who doesn't need a lot of action, sort of got lost in all of the cardboard fighting, but there was enough story there that I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I also appreciated the optimistic ending and the idea that people can change.

Professional Review (from School Library Journal):
"Gr 4-6 Cam's unemployed father can only afford a cardboard box for his son's birthday present. However, this cardboard is special; it animates itself. A cardboard boxer becomes a man called Bill, a magic cardboard machine actually spits out new pieces of magic cardboard, and a figure of Cam's dead mother chastises his father for not moving on. This cardboard powerfully projects the thoughts and desires of its users and becomes dangerous when Cam's wealthy, spoiled neighbor, Marcus, uses it to create an army of monsters. Rich colors printed on glossy pages, along with dramatic cuts between panels, give the comic a cinematic feel, and the illustrations' sharp angles and sinewy lines are striking. This action-filled adventure is not only highly entertaining, but also contains provocative points about the power of imagination. The ending, in which a reformed Marcus has shed his goth stylings and Cam's father has found a job and a girlfriend, is a little too tidy, but this is a thoughtful and gripping read. - Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY."

Goldstein, L. (2012). Cardboard (Book : TenNapel) [Review of the book, Cardboard by D. TenNapel]. School Library Journal, 58(9), 172.

Library Uses: This book would be great inspiration for a library activity in which students have the freedom to make whatever they want out of cardboard scraps, as long as it can be used for good. Some parameters would have to be defined, such as giving the students a few example ideas (a cardboard recycler, for example). Students would have to design and create their invention, as well as explain how it is used for a good purpose (as opposed to an evil purpose, like Marcus did in the story), how it is helpful, and how to use it/how it works.