The Great Turkey Walk: A Graphic Novel Adaptation of the Classic Story of a Boy, His Dog and a Thousand Turkeys

Gr 3-6–This graphic novel is a retelling of Karr's classic prose novel, The Great Turkey Walk. The story follows Simon Green, an earnest and entrepreneurial 15-year-old as he ventures across the United States to sell turkeys. Starting in the small community of Union, Missouri in 1860, Simon is discouraged from continuing his education and must find his own path. While visiting a neighbor’s farm, he hatches a plan to walk one thousand turkeys all the way to Denver to earn a profit. Along the way, he meets new friends and encounters many challenges. The graphic novel is illustrated in full color, with the tone of the artwork matching Simon’s emotional state throughout. Cool shades enhance the difficult and often frustrating parts of his story while warmer colors are reserved for successes and moments shared with friends.