Raid of No Return

Goodreads Synopsis:    A top secret mission needs volunteers.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States joined World War II. And soon after that, young pilots were recruited fro a very secret - and very dangerous - raid on Japan. No one in the armed forced had done anything like this raid before, and none of the volunteers expected to escape with their lives. But this was a war unlike any other before, which called for creative thinking as well as bravery. 

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales are graphic novels that tell the thrilling, shocking, gruesome, and TRUE stories of American history. Read them all - if you dare!

My Thoughts:

-    I'm a Hazardous Tales fan, and this is now one of my favorites in the series. 

-    The story and characters were a little more serious, and I really appreciated that. I enjoy the silliness, but it can get too silly sometimes. 

-    I didn't know about this mission to Japan. I really enjoy learning new things about history, and I like that Nathan Hale tells history in fun ways. 

Alamo All Stars

Goodreads Says:    From Nathan Hale, #1 New York Times bestselling author and Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List maker, comes the definitive graphic novel about the Alamo.
 
Hale relays the facts, politics, military actions, and prominent personalities that defined the Texas Revolution in factual yet humorous scenes that will capture the attention of reluctant readers and fans of history alike.
 
In the early 1800s, Texas was a wild and dangerous land fought over by the Mexican government, Native Americans, and settlers from the United States. Beginning with the expeditions of the so-called “Land Pirates,” through the doomed stand at the Alamo, and ending with the victory over Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, the entire Texas saga is on display. Leading the charge to settle this new frontier is Stephen F. Austin, with a cast of dangerous and colorful characters, including Jim Bowie, William Travis, David Crockett, and others.
 
Through his vivid depiction and additional maps, and biographies located in the back of the book, Nathan Hale brings new insight for students, teachers, and historians into one of the most iconic structures in the United States.

My Thoughts:

-    This isn't my favorite of the series, but I still enjoyed it.

-    Nathan changed the formula a little bit. Other characters helped Nathan Hale tell the story, and the hangman wasn't the only one interrupting with comments and questions. I didn't really care for the new narrators. They weren't needed.

-    I don't know a lot of back story for the Alamo, so it was good to learn about that and guys I'd never heard of, but on the other hand, I was a little confused in the beginning. The intro threw the reader in the middle of something and it took me a while to catch up.

-    The cholera monster was awesome! It was very creative and scary looking.

-    The page where you have to turn the book sideways and follow paths to find out what happens to several guys is confusing. I didn't like it. 

-    I enjoy the humor of these books. It helps these historical stories to be light and fun for kids.

-    Overall, this was fun, and I'll continue to read these Hazardous Tales.

The Underground Abductor

From Goodreads:    Araminta Ross was born a slave in Delaware in the early 19th century. Slavery meant that her family could be ripped apart at any time, and that she could be put to work in dangerous places and for abusive people. But north of the Mason-Dixon line, slavery was illegal. If she could run away and make it north without being caught or killed, she’d be free. Facing enormous danger, Araminta made it, and once free, she changed her name to Harriet Tubman. Tubman spent the rest of her life helping slaves run away like she did, every time taking her life in her hands. Nathan Hale tells her incredible true-life story with the humor and sensitivity he’s shown in every one of the Hazardous Tales—perfect for reluctant readers and classroom discussions.



My Thoughts:

-    I had a major stupid moment with this book. I picked it up because I love Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, and I didn't even read the synopsis or anything. It took me about halfway through the book before I realized this was Harriet Tubman's story. DUH!

-    I love that it is Nathan Hale telling historical future stories to the hangman and soldier. It is so clever!

-    I love the hangman's interjections. He often says what I am thinking. He speaks for the audience, and it is awesome!

-    I loved the quick summary of Frederick Douglas, but he really should have his own book.

-    Illustrations and panel are so much fun!

-    Even though these books cover serious topics, they are very tastefully hilarious! I love it.

-    I can't for more Hazardous Tales!

Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood

Goodreads Says:    World War I set the tone for the 20th century and introduced a new type of warfare: global, mechanical, and brutal. Nathan Hale has gathered some of the most fascinating true-life tales from the war and given them his inimitable Hazardous Tales twist. Easy to understand, funny, informative, and lively, this series is the best way to be introduced to some of the most well-known battles (and little-known secrets) of the infamous war.








My Thoughts:

-    The hangman is still my favorite. He is so funny! He reminds me of my friend Tyson.

-    Portraying the countries as different animals is hilarious yet helpful. It was easier to tell who was who. 

-    There was a lot going on, and some of it was hard to follow. 

-    I agree with the research babies, no more whole wars. I would have rather read about a piece of World War I than trying to cram the whole thing in a short graphic novel. 

-    I didn't realize how many men died and how much the war changed the world. Crazy!

-    I wish history was this fun to read all the time. 

-    Not my favorite hazardous tale, but this was a good one! 

Big Bad Ironclad!

Goodreads Description:    Each of the books in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales has elements of the strange but true and is presented in an engaging, funny format, highlighting the larger-than-life characters that pop up in real history.Big Bad Ironclad! covers the history of the amazing ironclad steam warships used in the Civil War.
From the ship’s inventor, who had a history of blowing things up and only 100 days to complete his project, to the mischievous William Cushing, who pranked his way through the whole war, this book is filled with surprisingly true facts and funny, brave characters that modern readers will easily relate to.

My Thoughts:

-    This was another hilarious and educational tale! I loved it!

-    I really like that Nathan Hale (the spy) is still telling stories to the hangman and the redcoat. It's like Scheherezade telling stories to the king to stay alive.

-    I didn't know there were naval battles in the Civil War! That is really cool.

-    William Cushing was the best part of this book. He was hilarious and awesome! I love that he was a forerunner for the Navy Seals. I want to go research this guy some more.

-    The Lego instructions are at the end are gut busting funny.

-    I like the color and lack of color. The last book used red, and this one uses blue.

-    The author took some liberties with the characters, but I thought he did a good job keeping the history straight. My favorite "liberty" was the fox. 

-    Hale's illustrations are simple, but he does a good job of getting a lot out of each frame.

Previous Hazardous Tales

(covers are linked)

One Dead Spy

From Goodreads:    Nathan Hale, the author’s historical namesake, was America’s first spy, a Revolutionary War hero who famously said “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” before being hanged by the British. In the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series, author Nathan Hale channels his namesake to present history’s roughest, toughest, and craziest stories in the graphic novel format.

One Dead Spy tackles the story of Hale himself, who was an officer and spy for the American rebels during the Revolutionary War. Author Hale highlights the unusual, gruesome, and just plain unbelievable truth of historical Nathan Hale—from his early unlucky days at Yale to his later unlucky days as an officer—and America during the Revolutionary War.

My Thoughts:

-    Wonderfully humorous and educational! Great for all ages! I would love to see history teachers use these Hazardous Tales in some of their lessons.

-    The hangman is my favorite. I love how he is always thinking of a sandwich. 

-    I thought the whole story was very clever. Nathan Hale telling his story to the hangman and a redcoat is really fun, and it keeps things lighthearted.

-    I loved how accurate the book was. It covered a lot of the Revolutionary War in very easy to understand segments. Of course the author took some liberties with things, but the overall story is correct.

-    I love that the author is Nathan Hale, and the story is about Nathan Hale!

-    The illustrations were wonderful. I loved the use of red highlights and black and white. I loved the facial expressions of the characters. 

-    Each frame was really fun, and I really liked the layouts for some pages. 

-    The little bits at the end were funny and fun. 

-    Great book!! I highly recommend it!