Jackalope

The never-before-told story of the horned rabbit—the myths, the hoaxes, and the entirely real scientific breakthroughs it has inspired—and how it became a cultural touchstone of the American West. Just what is a jackalope? Purported to be part jackrabbit and part antelope, the jackalope began as a local joke concocted by two young brothers in a small Wyoming town during the Great Depression. Their creation quickly spread around the U.S., where it now regularly appears as innumerable forms of kitsch—wall mounts, postcards, keychains, coffee mugs, shot glasses, and so on. A vast body of folk narratives has carried the jackalope’s fame around the world to inspire art, music, film, even erotica! Although the jackalope is an invention of the imagination, it is nevertheless connected to actual horned rabbits, which exist in nature and have for centuries been collected and studied by naturalists. Around the time the two young boys were creating the first jackalope in Wyoming, Dr. Richard Shope was making his first breakthrough about the cause of the horns: a virus. When the virus that causes rabbits to grow “horns” (a keratinous carcinoma) was first genetically sequenced in 1984, oncologists were able to use that genetic information to make remarkable, field-changing advances in the development of anti-viral cancer therapies. The most important of these is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical and other cancers. Today, jackalopes are literally helping us cure cancer. For fans of David Quammen’s The Song of the Dodo, Jon Mooallem’s Wild Ones, or Jeff Meldrum's Sasquatch, Michael P. Branch's remarkable On the Trail of the Jackalope is an entertaining and enlightening road trip through the heart of America.

A junior high student is on the run from men in black with a scary science experiment in his backpack in this exciting adventure. Jeremy’s troubles begin when his eccentric neighbor leaves him an “experiment” for safekeeping—a jackalope! This so-called mythological creature looks like a bunny rabbit but comes with razor-sharp antlers and is purported to be a ruthless killer. When government agents show up at Jeremy's house seeking the jackalope for their own nefarious purposes, Jeremy must find a way to protect the jackalope, and himself. So, he reluctantly joins forces with Agatha, his holier-than-thou genius neighbor. Together, with the jackalope (and his weapons-grade antlers) tucked away in a backpack, they have only one chance to save Jack and still get their science fair projects in on time . . . With her striking sense of humor, Emily Ecton has created a hilarious and suspenseful adventure, complete with a compelling and unforgettable cast of characters. Praise for Project Jackalope “A very satisfying thriller. . . . Readers will . . . be eager for a sequel.” —Kirkus Reviews “Will keep readers smiling to the very end.” —School Library Journal

Never seen a jackalope? Not even sure what one is? Well, you've come to the right place. You'll get the whole wild story right here in this book. You see, the jackalope didn't start out with horns. First he was a plain old hare. You know, a jackrabbit. The horns came later, along with a corny fairy godrabbit and a cranky coyote. And the trouble those horns brought--hoooo-wee! With a gut-busting brew of sassy storytelling and outrageous art, Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel finally give the jackalope his due. After all, he's long been part of American legend--isn't it time to tell the real story?

This is the second edition, paperback version of Teal Blake's "J is for Jackalope"- a grand adventure of a young boy named Samuel CB who lives with his family on a working cattle ranch in the West. Samuel has grown up working amid the ranch hands, riding horses, roping and developing the strong spirit that prompts him to new challenges. The beautifully illustrated storyline chronicles a turning point in Samuel's life. Bored with the chores and limitations of boyhood, Samuel is craving more. After hearing stories of the fabled Jackalope living in nearby mountains, he sets out in search of a new endeavor and in the end also finds a great friend.

The jackalope is a make-believe character found mainly in the western and southwestern states as well as in some northwestern mountain regions of the United States. The story of The First Jackalope begins with Fancy, a raccoon; Nonnie, a possum; and Hamilton, a porcupine discussing a strange animal seen by Nonnie--a rabbit with antlers! They are overheard by a wise old owl named Dressler. In his mind, Dressler begins to recall a story he heard many years ago about an animal called a jackalope. As Dressler remembers the old tale, the reader is brought into the story and begins to hear about the events that happened long ago. Dressler remembers how a rabbit named Jack rescued an antelope named Douglas. Douglas has a problem: he's caught between two boulders and is discovered by a rabbit named Jack. The reader lives the adventures as Jack tries several different ways to save Douglas. He is eventually successful and frees Douglas. As a result of Jack keeping his word, he is rewarded with a set of magical antlers by Douglas's antelope family. In the meantime, the three animals--Nonnie, Fancy, and Hamilton--are waiting for Dressler to finish his nap so they can also hear the story. This is a fiction story, but the theme is real. The book teaches the importance of keeping a promise, helping and caring for others, and realizing that we may not look the same on the outside, but we are very much alike on the inside.

Set in the picturesque landscape of the American southwest, the jackalope comes alive in this appealing story of young Molly and a series of surprising and revealing adventures. Handicapped by having one antler and ridiculed by the other jackalopes, Molly is aided through the intervention of the mysterious Grandal, who teaches her that the true source of strength is within.

Competing for the hand of the lovely Rosita and her rhubarb pie, Juan rides a Jackalope in a race against Pecos Bill.