The Castaways

by Rob Vollmar, Pablo G. Callejo (Illustrations)

The first graphic novel by the best-selling team of “Bluesman.” An emotionally powerful tale, drawn from the fabric of America itself, that follows the adventures of young Tucker Freeman as he is compelled to hop a train to escape from the crippling poverty of his rural existence. Armed with only fifteen cents and the memory of his occasional hobo father’s counsel, Tucker must find his place in this broken America of the Great Depression before the realities of being young, poor, and homeless consume him.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Comics, Historical, Young Adult, Coming Of Age, Fiction

74 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 2007

Reviews

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could see where this was going the whole time, and it was kind of cheesy, but the black/grey/blue/heavily lined illustration style is exciting as always.

As my roommate said "this book is basically all cliches."
Sort of true. Still pretty.

[Ozro Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book ends up being a poignant story about family, but the message doesn't really come through until the final chapter and epilogue. Unfortunately, the subject matter is far more interesting than the story being told. Callejo's art manages to carry the story through 100 pages of mostly two people talking, sucking the reader into the world of migrant workers.

When it all comes together at the end, it works well; I just wish those themes had run through the first three quarters of the book a little more.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I was expecting more. It's a nice story, but a little heavy on the Magical Negro trope (although the Black man in this story doesn't have magic powers, he does go out of his way to protect the young white protagonist and ends up saving his life and setting him on the right path). I was really interested in the mom and her whole story, but the book just...ended. It was fine, the art was well done, but I was looking for a little more.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & simple, but an enjoyable tale.

[Teodora Lipciuc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such powerful illustrations 😍

[Jessie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, interesting art

[Romano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy cursi y muy bello. El capítulo final desmerece un poco, el resto de la historia es conmovedora y lacrimosa.

[Dana Salaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid historical fiction. i loved the graphic novel format, but i wish there was more of an ending

[Christie Norris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but concise story taking place during the Depression.

[Ranga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book!

[Sarah Beaudoin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Castaways is a glimpse into two days in a life of a young boy during the Depression who leaves his family and strikes out to make his own way in the world. During those two days, Tucker encounters a friendly hobo, Elijah, who teaches him not only about the rules of a hobo lifestyle, but also about human nature.

I love the art that accompanied this novel. It is very gritty and real and I think is the perfect companion to the story. I'm torn on the story itself. The story was so sparse that at times I felt I was missing part of the plot, yet on the other hand, the sparseness seems completely suited to the subject matter. The very nature of the Great Depression suggests a careful rationing of words.

[Doug White · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Castaways" offers a quick, yet engaging tale of a boy who runs away from home for several days to seek his fortune in the early 1900s. Though seemingly aimed at a younger audience (I'd say between the ages of 9 and 13), the highly detailed artwork, universal themes, and engaging story will attract readers of all ages. The book also functions as a great introduction to the world of graphic novels. Its quick, but detailed story are only possible because of the level of artwork that Rob Vollmar puts into every panel. This book may be the one that gets wary readers truly hooked on literature.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tucker is a young man who leaves his home and travels the rails during the great depression. His father is a transient "hobo" and Tucker feels he is a burden to his mother who can't support all her children and he wants to model his father's life. A man named Elijah befriends him and protects him in his journeys but also is uncomfortable in teaching a young man to model his life after his own. How to get the young man to go back home and reunite with his family? A moving book about how the poor had to cope during the depression, especially African-Americans.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a 13 year old in the 1930's. Living under the roof of "the widow," he is told to leave for he is one mouth too many to feed. Hopping the train in search of his dad, a hobo. He has a time of it when befriended by Elijah. The first colored he had ever seen. After hearing the story Elijah takes him under his wing, so to say. In such a short graphic novel you learn much about people who ride the rails. While reading I was thinking of Lonesome whistle by Hank Sr. and On the Road. Amazing, bold ink drawings and a good story.

[kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Booklist Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth - 2008

They didn't call it the Depression because it was happy times. Families could be torn apart because of not being able to support either the younger or older children. Migrant workers rode the rails, and so did people with less than honerable means. Were they the castaways of society? When do you leave home? The art is like etchings, so beautiful about a tragic subject.

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork was interesting as it had both a woodcut look as well as a folky look. I never felt much for the characters as they didn't seem to be well developed enough. Mostly two dimensional (no pun intended). Another problem was the color of the paper it was printed on. It was a greyish blue that made for a poorly contrasting background for the type. Still, the book gets extra points for being about hobos and rolling stock.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It seemed historically accurate, and the action & dialogue were used effectively to move the story along. Those who got something from CASTAWAYS should definitely check out James Vance & Dan Burr's KINGS IN DISGUISE, which covers very similar terrain, though in a more epic treatment.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Castaways is a beautiful folk tale based on a story the author heard from his grandmother. A depression era story about a boys introduction to life on the road, traveling the rails, hobos, racism, pain, and morals. I was impressed.

[Angypants · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a moment in time, I was the little runaway Depression-era boy. This comic definatly has real flavor and hits all the right notes, despite ending just a hair too soon. I hope to read more by the same team of Vollmar and Callejo. Any young readers teacher looking for an text that covers the Depression era would do well to look here for an engaging tale.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

the adventures of young Tucker Freeman as he is compelled to hop a train to escape from the crippling poverty of his rural existence. Armed with only fifteen cents and the memory of his occasional hobo father's counsel, Tuck must find his place in this broken America of the Great Depression ..."--

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short comic book story about the most noble of all those on the road: the hobo. And how through the kindness of one hobo, a young boy is reunited with his mother and overcomes racism. Yep....

[sweet pea · Rating 3 out of 5]

terribly pleasing illustrations. while the plot isn't radically new, it does a okay job of portraying the time and the laws of the hobo jungle. although, without the design and illustrations, the book would come across as trite.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never seem to get into graphic fiction, because they don't give me enough time to get to know the characters. I liked the history of jumping trains in this one, but other than that I thought it was really predictable. The pictures were cool though, done in a blueish-gray, black, and white.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at hobo life in the early twentieth century from the perspective of an innocent thirteen-year-old pushed into the life. Detailed art with a few distracting issues and a strong story.

[Charles Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of John Steinbeck or substantive graphic novels, then this is worth your time. Vollmar's storytelling style is more deliberate than what is often found in illustrated stories, but castaways has a very strong sense of humanity and economy that makes it an easy and rewarding read.

[Janine Darragh · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the artwork is beautiful, the story line and (lack of) character development were really disappointing to me. On the bright side, it will provide some nice discussion points regarding stereotypical depictions and the romanticizing of poverty.

[Eli Poteet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a couple few hobo 30s graphic novels and this is one of the best. the original look of characters is an excellent stand our characteristic of a good story. it was historically referenced. I enjoyed the surprise ending too.

[HeavyReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story and phenomenal art by the same ultra-talented guys who brought the world the Bluesman series. Lovely.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely graphic novel about a boy-turned hobo in Depression-era US. The illustrations are reminiscent of a toned-down R.Crumb. A moving story about friendship, family, and some of life's hard lessons.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good graphic novel.