Mightier Than The Sword by Jane Yolen

Bibliography:
Yolen, J. 2003. MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD: WORLD FOLKTALES FOR STRONG BOYS. Ill. Raul Colon. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Books. ISBN 0152163913

Plot Summary:
In Mightier Than The Sword, Jane Yolen collects fourteen world folktales of boys who use means other than physical might to resolve their problems. The stories are from all over the world such as The Magic Brocade from China to Afghanistan’s Hired Hands. The variety of tales show boys accomplishing great feats through intelligence, cunning, kindness, and dedication proving that “true heroes are the ones who solve their problems - and the problems of the world - without ever having to resort to force.” The book opens with a letter from the author to her sons and grandsons. The book ends with a reply from them, notes on the stories, and a bibliography.

Critical Analysis:
Jane Yolen’s collection depicts alternative ways for boys to resolve conflicts by presenting the atypical hero. The stories collected from around the world show the commonality faced by boys across the globe while also providing different cultural perspectives. This book can be used to help represent the diversity in the classroom and provide role models for the readers. The stories are direct and channel the traditional tales told by the Grimm brothers by following motifs such as three questions or tasks faced by the protagonist.

Before each story the country of origin is listed, then the title, and a subtitle that provides a lesson. One example is from the story from Norway entitled Eating with Trolls. The subtitle is “do not confuse a quiet thinker with a ne’er-do-well.” By doing this Yolen sets up the reader to challenge preconceptions as they read the story and shows that what we might dislike can be a saving grace. It helps readers accept what their actual strengths are even if it may not be what we think it should.

Each story is also accompanied by an illustration. Raul Colon contributes full page line drawings that reflect the cultural setting of each hero. The illustrations accompany each story harmoniously by depicting a pivotal scene from each one. This is an excellent collection of stories that achieves its goal by providing an alternative to the typical hero story.

Review Excerpts:
Joseph Bruchac: “In a world where violent conflict is often presented as the only solution to our problems, Jane Yolen’s intelligent new book is as welcome as a lasting truce. With wit and grace she shares these stories of masculine strength from many cultures, each tale a model of alternative ways for difficulties to be overcome and boys to grow into men.”

School Library Journal: “Her versions of these stories are lively, expressively written, ready for reading aloud or telling, and illustrative of her point.”

Publishers Weekly: “These heroes win with their wits and hearts, not with weapons.”

Connections:
-The stories are also appropriate for girls, but Yolen does have a companion book entitled NOT ONE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS: WORLD FOLKTALES FOR STRONG GIRLS
-This collection provides a good opportunity to contrast the ideas between what we think of heroes (such as superheroes) and the everyday heroism of men (such as our fathers, brothers, etc.)
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