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Used Book Alerts 
The Wall: Growing Up behind the Iron Curtain
by Peter Sis
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About This Book
ISBN13: 9780374347017 |
Powells.com Staff Pick
This is an amazing personal story about war, youth, creativity, and freedom. The Wall recounts Sis's life growing up in Czechoslovakia during the height of the Cold War. A must-read for anyone who loves the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the American Dream.
Recommended by Sarah H., Powells.com
Peter Sis is a master children's book author and illustrator, as his newest work clearly demonstrates. Combining intricate, beautiful artwork with autobiography and political history, he creates a poignant, deeply personal story about Cold War Czechoslovakia. Sis defines the value of artistic freedom in a book that is innovative and visually stunning.
Recommended by Angela, Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
“I was born at the beginning of it all, on the Red side—the Communist side—of the Iron Curtain.” Through annotated illustrations, journals, maps, and dreamscapes, Peter Sís shows what life was like for a child who loved to draw, proudly wore the red scarf of a Young Pioneer, stood guard at the giant statue of Stalin, and believed whatever he was told to believe. But adolescence brought questions. Cracks began to appear in the Iron Curtain, and news from the West slowly filtered into the country. Sís learned about beat poetry, rock ’n’ roll, blue jeans, and Coca-Cola. He let his hair grow long, secretly read banned books, and joined a rock band. Then came the Prague Spring of 1968, and for a teenager who wanted to see the world and meet the Beatles, this was a magical time. It was short-lived, however, brought to a sudden and brutal end by the Soviet-led invasion. But this brief flowering had provided a glimpse of new possibilities—creativity could be discouraged but not easily killed.
By joining memory and history, Sís takes us on his extraordinary journey: from infant with paintbrush in hand to young man borne aloft by the wings of his art.
Review:
"'Born out of a question posed to Ss (Play, Mozart, Play!) by his children ('Are you a settler, Dad?'), 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. Dense, finely crosshatched black-and-white drawings of parades and red-flagged houses bear stark captions: 'Public displays of loyalty — compulsory. Children are encouraged to report on their families and fellow students. Parents learn to keep their opinions to themselves.' Text along the bottom margin reveals young Ss's own experience: 'He didn't question what he was being told. Then he found out there were things he wasn't told.' The secret police, with tidy suits and pig faces, intrude into every drawing, watching and listening. As Ss grows to manhood, Eastern Europe discovers the Beatles, and the 'Prague Spring of 1968' promises liberation and freedom. Instead, Soviet tanks roll in, returning the city to its previous restrictive climate. Ss rebels when possible, and in the book's final spreads, depicts himself in a bicycle, born aloft by wings made from his artwork, flying toward America and freedom, as the Berlin Wall crumbles below. Although some of Ss's other books have their source in his family's history, this one gives the adage 'write what you know' biting significance. Younger readers have not yet had a graphic memoir with the power of Maus or Persepolis to call their own, but they do now. Ages 8-up.' Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)"
Synopsis:
In his most personal work to date, award-winning author Peter Ss offers a brilliant graphic memoir, taking readers on an extraordinary journey as he recalls his youth growing up in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, when his country was on the Communist side of the Iron Curtain.
What Our Readers Are Saying
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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
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crowyhead, June 24, 2008 (view all comments by crowyhead)
This Caldecott Honor book is Peter Sis's autobiographical account of growing up in Communist-controlled Czechoslovakia. Sis combines beautiful illustrations and personal recollections with factual information about the time period. This book might be a bit of a tough sell to a lot of younger readers, but it would be excellent in the classroom, and the graphic novel-esque quality might attract children and young adults who might not otherwise pick up an autobiography or history book.
Product Details
- ISBN:
- 9780374347017
- Subtitle:
- Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
- Author:
- Publisher:
- Farrar Straus Giroux
- Subject:
- History
- Subject:
- History - Europe
- Subject:
- Europe
- Subject:
- Authors, American
- Subject:
- Biography & Autobiography - Art
- Subject:
- Art - Painting
- Publication Date:
- August 2007
- Binding:
- Hardcover
- Language:
- English
- Illustrations:
- Y
- Pages:
- 56
- Dimensions:
- 12.24x9.40x.45 in. 1.27 lbs.
- Children's Book Type:
- Picture / Wordless
- Age Level:
- 08-12
