Deutsch, Barry. Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword. 2010. Abrams, 137 pages. $15.95 ISBN: 9780810984226
Plot Summary:
Mirka likes her stepmother, Fruma, despite that Fruma is extremely argumentative. In fact Mirka sometimes argues with her stepmother for amusement. One day Mirka loses her way and stumbles upon the house of a witch. Later she brings her siblings and Mirka eats one of the witch’s grapes and is then attacked by a monster. The monster is actually a very ferocious pig, but seeing as no one in Hereville eats pork, being a Jewish town, Mirka has never seen a pig before and understandable mistakes this particular vicious pig for a monster. The pig continues to harass her and steal her homework, until finally Mirka confronts the pig. Not expecting an answer Mirka is surprised when the pig tells her that she is guilty of stealing from the pig’s mistress and that the pig will continue to harass Mirka in punishment. Not one to back down Mirka tries to trap the pig and after almost drowning each other, Mirka and the pig come to a truce.
Later in the day Mirka stumbles upon the pig again, only this time he has been trapped by some older boys. Mirka rescues the pig and as a reward the witch tells Mirka where can find her own sword. The only catch is that the sword is guarded by a troll that Mirka must defeat. The witch does not tell Mirka how to defeat the witch, but tells her that her stepmother has all the information Mirka needs. Mirka is determined to learn how to defeat the troll and get a sword of her own.
Critical Review:
Hereville is based on the hit web comic of the same name, but with all new artwork and an extended story. Mirka is an unstoppable and courageous heroine. Hereville is not only a comedic adventure, but also informative about the Orthodox Jewish faith. Deutsch describes the weekly celebration of Shabbos. This was a fun graphic novel, filled with humor. My favorite part was Mirka’s battle with the pig, which Deutsch successfully sold as a monster.
Genre:
Humorous Fiction
Graphic Novel
Fantasy
Interest/Reading Level:
5th to 7th grades
Similar Books:
Into the Volcano by Don Wood
Rapunzle’s Revenge by Shannon Hale
Awards/Honors:
Andre Norton Award Nominee 2010
Eisner Nomination 2011
YALSA Best Graphic Novels for Teens 2011
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