Bone Volume One: Out from Boneville (Smith, Jeff; 2003) ISBN 0963660942
Bone is the first edition in a series of stories about three cousins who are on the run: Phoncible B. Bone (aka Phoney), Smiley Bone, and Fone Bone. The reasons for their plight help to explain some important character traits. Phoney Bone has been run out of town—Boneville—after Phoney shows disrespect for the town’s founder. Phoncible is highly motivated, but not entirely honest and upright. Protagonist Fone Bone is equipped with both courage and the ability to problem solve. Smiley Bone is more likeable than Phoncible, but far less intelligent than Fone.
Phoney and Smiley are separated from Fone, and the story splits into two different paths. While on his own, Fone meets up with Thorn, a young, courageous and talented girl with a secret past. Thorn lives with her hard scrabble grandmother, perhaps the toughest character in the story despite her age. Thorn helps Fone reunite with his cousins, though they encounter great danger and excitement in the form of rat creatures along the way.
Meanwhile, Phoney tries to run another scam with Smiley that may get him into hot water once again. Their storyline is lighter in tone that Fone’s is, and it provides many funny moments.
The Bone cousins’ story is told in black and white line illustrations. As with most graphic novels, it is accessible for a wide range of readers. Author Jeff Smith conveys a slew of emotions and moods among his characters, creating a lively pace for the story.
Bone is the first edition in a series of stories about three cousins who are on the run: Phoncible B. Bone (aka Phoney), Smiley Bone, and Fone Bone. The reasons for their plight help to explain some important character traits. Phoney Bone has been run out of town—Boneville—after Phoney shows disrespect for the town’s founder. Phoncible is highly motivated, but not entirely honest and upright. Protagonist Fone Bone is equipped with both courage and the ability to problem solve. Smiley Bone is more likeable than Phoncible, but far less intelligent than Fone.
Phoney and Smiley are separated from Fone, and the story splits into two different paths. While on his own, Fone meets up with Thorn, a young, courageous and talented girl with a secret past. Thorn lives with her hard scrabble grandmother, perhaps the toughest character in the story despite her age. Thorn helps Fone reunite with his cousins, though they encounter great danger and excitement in the form of rat creatures along the way.
Meanwhile, Phoney tries to run another scam with Smiley that may get him into hot water once again. Their storyline is lighter in tone that Fone’s is, and it provides many funny moments.
The Bone cousins’ story is told in black and white line illustrations. As with most graphic novels, it is accessible for a wide range of readers. Author Jeff Smith conveys a slew of emotions and moods among his characters, creating a lively pace for the story.
Interview with the author here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXwFRZ4nFXA
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