Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. New York: Pantheon.
Summary
Marjane Satrapi tells her autobiographical story through the black and white pictures of a graphic novel. She is a young girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution. Her peaceful childhood is replaced by confusion and hate. She doesn't conform to the expectations of her new government. She dislikes wearing a veil and being separated from the boys. After she gets in trouble at school, her parents decide it would be safest to send her away. The cultural change is a big adjustment for Marj in Vienna, and she struggles to fit in. Unhappy away from her family, Marj eventually returns to Iran. She gets married and later divorced. After awhile, she realizes that Iran is still not the place for her and again leaves, still trying to find her place in this world.
Commentary
Like Marjane, so many young adults are struggling to "find themselves" and figure out where they belong. Her thoughts are on point with adolescents the same age as her in the book. I think that by using graphic novel format, it allowed the topic to be easier to read and more approachable. Some young readers might be intimidated by the political content just because it is unfamiliar to them. Satrapi does an excellent job of helping the reader understand what is going on in an easy to understand format. She keeps the book lighthearted and entertaining.
Interview with the Author
Persepolis Background Lesson Plans
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