Persepolis

In Short 

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is a memoir about growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. It was published in 2007 and has 341 pages. Though not published as a young adult book, its graphic novel format and subject matter make Persepolis accessible and intriguing to teens.

Summary  

Persepolis tells the story of Marji's childhood in Iran, her adventures attending high school in Austria, and then her bitter-sweet homecoming.  Through it all, Marji searches for her place in the world.

My Take 

Persepolis is a rare glimpse into life in Iran. Marji is relatable and honest protagonist, and her struggles are real and heart-wrenching. The graphic novel format tells her story brilliantly. I recommend it highly. 

 

Also, if you enjoy the book, check out the movie with the same title.

 

 Have you read this book? What did you think? Please post your comments.

Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem

In Short
Witches: The Abosolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer is a short history of the Salem Witch Trials. It was published in 2011 and has 144 pages. It was a Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Book. 

Summary  

In a small town in colonial Massachusetts, two girls started to twitch, choke, and speak gibberish. At first it seemed like a strange illness, but soon the girls and their families had convinced the town that they were bewitched by three neighbor women. Thus began an outrageous witch hunt that resulted in the imprisonments, trials, and deaths of many falsely accused "witches". 

My Take 

I think Witches! is a perfect introduction to this dark moment in U.S. history. It's well-paced and has a lot of interesting details. I especially like how Schanzer wove excerpts from the actual trials throughout the story, and the black and white illustrations add a fun touch. If I have one complaint, it's that I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight...but I guess that's to be expected with the insane number of witch accusations flying. 

Have you read this book? What did you think? Please post your comments.