Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Graphic Novel)

Satrapi, Marjane. (2004) Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood.  Pantheon.

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood is a graphic novel autobiography of Marjane Satrapi's experiences growing up in Iran before and during the Iranian Revolution in 1979.  Through the artwork and words, it tells her story of school, family and what it was like to be young in a country full of termoil.

Satrapi illustrates her life through the different blocks of picture and text that fill the pages of the novel.  It is a strong representation of what her life was like and she does her best to paint an honest picture of her feelings and thoughts during her childhood.

The drawings within Persepolis show Marjane as she grows up and give an interesting depiction that is not present in any other format.  The picture blocks tell their own story of a young girl that faces difficult times and seem to express her feelings without adding the words.  The drawing blocks that make up Persepolis are not uniform by any means and really create a sense of a child telling the story which, while written by an adult, is the story of a childhood.

The writing by Satrapi is in a conversational style that reaches readers and helps the book seem like a simple story telling.  It is easy to understand and follow and feels as if the author is reaching out to each reader and making it an adventure to find out what is next in her story.

Educators can use graphic novels in general as great learning tools for struggling readers.  It can help them see what is interesting and add pictures and conversational text to break up the words and be easier for comprehension.  This book in particular can be more than for reading.  It is a great tool to teach about historical events and looking at the difference in being a child in the United States during the 1970s and in Iran in the 1970s.

Readers aged 9-12 and older will enjoy this book but may struggle to understand some of the events that take place.  The strict ideas of the country Satrapi is writing about make seeing her culture a new experience for some readers.  While the book is mature for readers, it is a very strong story and many will enjoy it.