The Wall is a graphic memoir that centers around the Cold War, and what life was like for Peter Sis growing up in The Soviet Union. What I did not expect was how much the story was related to art and expression of "American" hobbies.
Peter loved art and music, particularly the Beatles. As a child he drew constantly. Often about the war. The book encloses pictures by the author that depict the constraints on the Soviet people and the dictatorship oppression around them. If anyone was caught with drawings (unless otherwise supervised and approved by a teacher) they would be punished. Books and music were burned by the government, seen as bad influences on the Soviets. Peter and his friends secretly formed a band, and Peter secretly drew in his journal religiously. Anyone with long hair(inspired by the Beatles) would be punished and have their hair cut. People were killed at a Beach Boys concert. People beaten for drawing the Soviet flag facing the wrong way. With all these limitations Peter continued to do what he loved until the Cold War ended.
This graphic memoir is really interesting. Younger children would like the drawings (they are very cartoon-y and immature). Children and teenagers alike can learn from this book. Whether you simply gain courage to do what you love, or learn about the Cold War and oppression, every age group can learn something. I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book. It alternates between pages of journal entries, some long, and full-page pictures with a few words describing them. I would recommend this book to middle-school students. It is not as violent or detailed as other books about wars, but it certainly detailed the life of one boy growing up in The Soviet Union, bravely breaking the rules.
http://www.veryshortlist.com/lists/pick.cfm?email_key=04bc6e64-aab7-4c98-aa0d-e0d938408d05
Peter loved art and music, particularly the Beatles. As a child he drew constantly. Often about the war. The book encloses pictures by the author that depict the constraints on the Soviet people and the dictatorship oppression around them. If anyone was caught with drawings (unless otherwise supervised and approved by a teacher) they would be punished. Books and music were burned by the government, seen as bad influences on the Soviets. Peter and his friends secretly formed a band, and Peter secretly drew in his journal religiously. Anyone with long hair(inspired by the Beatles) would be punished and have their hair cut. People were killed at a Beach Boys concert. People beaten for drawing the Soviet flag facing the wrong way. With all these limitations Peter continued to do what he loved until the Cold War ended.
This graphic memoir is really interesting. Younger children would like the drawings (they are very cartoon-y and immature). Children and teenagers alike can learn from this book. Whether you simply gain courage to do what you love, or learn about the Cold War and oppression, every age group can learn something. I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book. It alternates between pages of journal entries, some long, and full-page pictures with a few words describing them. I would recommend this book to middle-school students. It is not as violent or detailed as other books about wars, but it certainly detailed the life of one boy growing up in The Soviet Union, bravely breaking the rules.
http://www.veryshortlist.com/lists/pick.cfm?email_key=04bc6e64-aab7-4c98-aa0d-e0d938408d05
3 comments:
Hi Amanda! It's me again. More feedback on your posting here.
I like the flow of this review--it feels more natural, has more of your voice, than your first stab at this new way of writing.
I think the opening is really terrific--that is a great hook, and I want to read more.
Again, I just have a couple of suggestions for you:
1. Make sure you go back and proofread your review.
2. Add links and a picture, a booktalk or video, too.
3. In the second paragraph, the use of the phrase "the war" doesn't sound quite right to me; I get the sense your protagonist is drawing or representing the repression or constraints he faces in the Soviet Union (oh yeah--should you use this term, since it is technically more accurate than "Russia"?), as opposed to "the war." Is this right?
4) Can you clarify whether this book is fiction or nonfiction? You say it is both a memoir and novel. I think you need to be more clear about this.
Finally, in the last paragraph, I think you mix the personal voice ("I") with a more impersonal voice. How about if you give your personal opinion after the summary of the book, and then have another paragraph with your recommendation for classroom use?
In any event, I hope these ideas are helpful--again, thanks for kicking us off!
Tom
i can change the things you suggested. it is a memoir about his experiences but its a graphic novel (as classified). he drew literal pictures of military personel, violence, and simply of people with long hair. i just wanted to up a post and then fill in the blanks (like the video) later so i didnt have to do it all at once. there are links on both of my posts to the author's website about the book. what other links do i need? i can try to post a picture but cant say its something i am good at, as my computer doesnt work well with photobucket.
finally Amazon.com lists it literally as a "graphic memoir"
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