The Wall

Bibliography:
Sis, Peter. 2007. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. Phoenix Color Corporation. ISBN 0-374-34701-8.

Plot Summary:
This book is narrative story about a young boy who grew up on the Soviet side of the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. The journal entires within document everything about his socialist, brainwashed country as he is growing up. It shows how all western views and ways of living were censored and prohibited. There was hope of new life and more possibilities, with a new head of state. Then things got worse and all he had left was his dreams of escaping to the west, before the wall fell in 1989.

Critical Analysis:
The historical facts behind this memorable story are very accurate to the time period. Peter's memories clearly and correctly reflect the tensions between Eastern Europe and the Western free world. The book is told as a narrative of Peter Sis' life, starting as a baby and then progressing through childhood into adulthood. As the story moves forward, the pictures identify the differences between the free world and the socialist country.

The illustrations depict a carefree, accepting attitude in the beginning and slowly turn to a confused, frustrated tone as can be seen in the facial expressions and drawings by Peter's character in the book. The only items drawn in color, are pictures that Peter's character saw or drew that held a form of free expression. The entire rest of the book is black, white, and red, depicting an unhappy, angry, depressing time.

The book is organized well, in a sequential matter and dispersed throughout are actual journal entries from Peter during that time. The design of the book is powerful, with illustrations taking up most of every page, but captions alongside those pictures to describe the impact the Cold War had on every part of life. The socialist Russians and secret police were drawn as pigs instead of humans which portrays a strong emotion felt by many toward the Russians. Throughout the book, new vocabulary is introduced an explained in order to improve children's comprehension level of the text.

Excerpt Reviews:
New York Times Book Review: "The ecstatic energy and big-spirited inventiveness of the artist’s drawings make the once all but unimaginable realization of that dream visible for all to see."

Publisher's Weekly Starred Review: "Younger readers have not yet had a graphic memoir with the power of Maus or Persepolis to call their own, but they do now."

Booklist Starred Review: “A powerful combination of graphic novel and picture book . . . Terrific design dramatizes the conflict between conformity and creative freedom."

Connections:
*This book is a great tool to teach about the Berlin Wall and the history of Germany and the USA relationship.
* This book can be used to discuss the Cold War.
*This book can be used to discuss socialism vs. free expression.
*This book can be integrated into an art lesson to enhance the meaning of free expression in artwork.