Genre 4 - THE WALL: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sis, Peter. 2007. THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374347018

2. PLOT SUMMARY
THE WALL is a “graphic memoir” of author, Peter Sis’, childhood in Czechoslovakia. Through a blending of graphics, narration, brief descriptions, and journal entries, Sis provides readers with a look into his earlier life in a country controlled by the totalitarian government of Communist Russia. Offering insight into the time period, he establishes the events leading up to the creation of the Iron Curtain so that readers have a frame of reference to draw from. Describing political, personal, and societal events, Sis covers all areas of life that were impacted by the control and constant monitoring of the government entity. THE WALL is a truly insightful and educational reading experience.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Peter Sis documents his childhood and early life in Czechoslovakia through the graphic memoir of a young boy, which would most closely fall under the category of “informational storybook” (due to the story-like nature of the character and life/events timeline). Providing a firsthand account and accurate historical information, Sis creates an educational asset to children learning about the Cold War era in an Eastern Bloc country. His story is relevant to readers of all ages as it touches on a truly monumental event in world history. Describing the political (i.e. government, “compulsory” actions and requirements, police, education, etc.) and social (i.e. music, art, clothing, hairstyles, personal expression, etc.) influences and events, he paints a vivid picture of what it meant to live in the Soviet Union in that time.

The book is organized so that it may be read as a story or referenced depending on what type of information the reader is seeking—journal entries, general informative writing, storyline, or graphic representation. It is not a book that must be read in a single sitting or from one cover to the other. Within the organization of the book is a freedom for the reader to experience the information that the author has to offer in their own individual way. Covered from front to back with interesting drawings and even a few historical photos of propaganda posters, the illustration invites readers into the pages without the intimidation of excess words on each and every page. The story can be experienced through pictures or words (or through a combination of both) making it an appealing choice to a variety of audiences. Sis presents the truth of a nation and what freedom means to him through his personal life journey and a unique authorship and style.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “... the author pairs his remarkable artistry with journal entries, historical context, and period photography to create a powerful account of his childhood in Cold War-era Prague.”
Starred review in BOOKLIST: Throughout, terrific design dramatizes the conflict between conformity and creative freedom..."

5. CONNECTIONS
*Great middle school study aid as students learn about the various events leading up to and during the Cold War.
*Allow students to explore some of the creative aspects of the book in greater depth—i.e. Beatles and Beach Boys songs, clothing and hairstyles of the time period, banned Western books, etc.
*Have students begin to create their own graphic novels/memoirs about growing up during the War on Terrorism and 9/11. (This should be considered more for high school students and could be controversial due to the sensitive and current nature of the subject.)