Maus I: My Father Bleeds History and Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began

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.