Rating: 4/5
Mighty Jack is a great variation on Jack and the Beanstalk. It's told in modern times, and the titular character is dreading the summer in which he will have to look after his kid sister that doesn't speak. At all. They have a single mom that works two jobs to make ends meet.
Things go really wrong when Jack's sister convince him to trade their car for some seeds. They seem harmless enough at first as the two kids plant and grow their own garden. Of course, these are magic seeds and the plants they become are living creatures.
The story is quite fun. My only real complaint about it is that this book is part of a series and the end point felt too open. It wraps up the first part of the story well enough, but overall things aren't resolved. So I feel like I have to read the next book to get a complete story. Not the worst thing in the world to have happen.
The character relationships are nice, but probably a bit simplistic. This is intended for middle grade readers, so that isn't a problem. These relationships involve Jack (not surprisingly) and his sister, mother, and the strange girl that lives down the street.
I loved the art. It can be cartoonish, again that is alright given the audience, but it's very creative and colorful too. Any time the garden creatures come on stage is a chance for the artist to do something new and unusual. The art also seemed to capture a bit of growth on Jack's part over the course of the story.
All in all, this is a good read. I'd definitely recommend it, especially for anyone that is familiar with the quality of work that First Second puts out.
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