it's raining, it's pouring

Well, actually it is sunny and warm outside. But inside my office, we have survived a rainstorm courtesy of Matt Phelan's new graphic novel, THE STORM IN THE BARN. Ten year old Jack lives with his family in the Dust Bowl. Life has been hard for everyone. Illnesses related to the dust affect Jack's sister and mother. The townfolks are desperate. Jack's father is short tempered. Jack wants to do something to help, but what? When Jack discovers RAIN in the abandoned barn next door, he is determined to find a way to bring it out to the parched crops.

Spare illustrations and even more spare use of language helps to emphasize the sheer desolation of landscape and population. Colors are light, dull-ish. However, each square speaks with simple eloquence.