Maus I & Maus II by Art Spiegelman
These two novels about the author's father were the first graphic novels I have ever read. I found it an interesting and effective way to portray a Holocaust survivor's story. It is written as a flashback and jumps between the the WWII era and the late 80's.
The first volume is about Vladek Spiegelman's experience hiding from Nazi Germans. His son, Art, is a comic artist and author of the book. The tension between father and son is heavy throughout the novel. As the interview progresses, Art learns about his father's endeavors and relationship with Art's mother, who killed herself years before the interview takes place.
The second volume focuses on Vladek's life after arriving at Auschwitz and his poor health in the present day. As his illness progresses, his story ends after his emancipation and return home. The most interesting part of this novel was the present day struggles between father and son and how the Holocaust may have permanent changed Vladek's personality.
I recommend this novel to any high school student. I especially recommend it to students who enjoy graphic novels or enjoy comics. I like that these two novels go against what you would think a graphic novel would be. I also think they would be appropriate for an interdisciplinary course or even a History class.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Night
Night by Elie Wiesel
Wiesel's story of his struggle through concentration camps as a young Jewish boy is truly heartbreaking. Being such an honest account of the Holocaust, it is sometimes a difficult story to read. Even after reading it for a second time, I am surprised by the lack of emotion some of the characters experience. As Wiesel explains, it was as if they had cried all of their tears early in the war and had none to shed as their family and friends died in front of them.
The scene that sticks out in my mind the most would be the young boy the guards hanged in front of all of the prisoners. The cruelty of the act, to me, encompasses the who genocide. It was unjustified, violent, and inhumane. It was one of the moments that Wiesel truly lost his faith.
I recommend this book for 8th graders and up. This memoir is an honest look into the lives of a Jewish family during WWII. Although it has pretty graphic stories, it is an important story and a significant piece of history.
Wiesel's story of his struggle through concentration camps as a young Jewish boy is truly heartbreaking. Being such an honest account of the Holocaust, it is sometimes a difficult story to read. Even after reading it for a second time, I am surprised by the lack of emotion some of the characters experience. As Wiesel explains, it was as if they had cried all of their tears early in the war and had none to shed as their family and friends died in front of them.
The scene that sticks out in my mind the most would be the young boy the guards hanged in front of all of the prisoners. The cruelty of the act, to me, encompasses the who genocide. It was unjustified, violent, and inhumane. It was one of the moments that Wiesel truly lost his faith.
I recommend this book for 8th graders and up. This memoir is an honest look into the lives of a Jewish family during WWII. Although it has pretty graphic stories, it is an important story and a significant piece of history.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Power
Power by Linda Hogan
Although this is not one of my favorite books I have read so far, it is still well written. It is heavily saturated in description, so there is not much dialogue. It is the story of Omishto and Ama and their experience killing an endangered species, a panther. Trapped between the modern and traditional worlds, Ama and Omisto is on trial for killing a panther.
What I do like about the novel is that it emphasizes the importance of nature. Most of the description is centered around things Omishto finds in nature, how the wind is a living breath, or how the plants wait for the redemption of rain. Obviously, the importance of the panther is also help tell the story of a healthy and balanced nature.
I would recommend this book to tenth grade and up. The novel is a little bit longer and its descriptions might be a little bit much for ninth graders and younger. I also recommend it to anyone who likes Native American novels, especially ones centered around the modernization and disappearance of traditions.
Although this is not one of my favorite books I have read so far, it is still well written. It is heavily saturated in description, so there is not much dialogue. It is the story of Omishto and Ama and their experience killing an endangered species, a panther. Trapped between the modern and traditional worlds, Ama and Omisto is on trial for killing a panther.
What I do like about the novel is that it emphasizes the importance of nature. Most of the description is centered around things Omishto finds in nature, how the wind is a living breath, or how the plants wait for the redemption of rain. Obviously, the importance of the panther is also help tell the story of a healthy and balanced nature.
I would recommend this book to tenth grade and up. The novel is a little bit longer and its descriptions might be a little bit much for ninth graders and younger. I also recommend it to anyone who likes Native American novels, especially ones centered around the modernization and disappearance of traditions.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Flight
Flight by Sherman Alexie
As a Native American writers, Alexie is one of the most popular of the small but elite community. As an admirer of many of these writers, this is the first Alexie book I have read, and I thought it was extremely interesting.
"Zits", a troubled teen, battles to find his identity has him not only fighting his own fights, but those of others whose body he inhabits throughout the novel. Zits does not discriminate between race or point in history during these experiences. As he travels through bodies, he learns more about himself.
My favorite chapter is chapter 11. I like it because Zits has realized the importance of Native American names, and he introduces us to Bow Boy and Small Saint. He views these two people with hope, respect, and longing. They are brave, and I am not sure if he even realizes he named them Native names, despite being in a white man's body. He admirers these people more than anyone else in the book at this point, and sacrifices his life for them.
I would recommend this book for teens. Despite the language and some obscene material, I think it is an extremely colorful book with a great world view. It also might inspire people to read more Native American literature.
As a Native American writers, Alexie is one of the most popular of the small but elite community. As an admirer of many of these writers, this is the first Alexie book I have read, and I thought it was extremely interesting.
"Zits", a troubled teen, battles to find his identity has him not only fighting his own fights, but those of others whose body he inhabits throughout the novel. Zits does not discriminate between race or point in history during these experiences. As he travels through bodies, he learns more about himself.
My favorite chapter is chapter 11. I like it because Zits has realized the importance of Native American names, and he introduces us to Bow Boy and Small Saint. He views these two people with hope, respect, and longing. They are brave, and I am not sure if he even realizes he named them Native names, despite being in a white man's body. He admirers these people more than anyone else in the book at this point, and sacrifices his life for them.
I would recommend this book for teens. Despite the language and some obscene material, I think it is an extremely colorful book with a great world view. It also might inspire people to read more Native American literature.
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