Resistance. Book 1

Resistance. Book 1
By Carla Jablonski & Leland Purvis
First Second, 2010, 121 pgs. Graphic Novel

In Resistance, Book 1, two children in a small French village occupied by Germans during World War II become involved in hiding a Jewish friend, Henri. As the Germans roundup the local Jews, Paul and Marie and their families and friends must choose sides. While helping Henri, the children become involved in the French Resistance which is also helping Jews to hide. The two children help their friend even as they worry about their own missing father, who is thought to be a prisoner of war.

Paul carries his sketchbook with him everywhere. His sketches, embedded in the graphic novel as part of the illustrations, help us see the action of the novel through Paul’s eyes. These same sketches also play a part in the plot as they are used to carry messages for the Resistance.

The story happens in France, but wherever the Germans conquered, the same dangers existed, the same difficult choices and secrets had to be made and kept. For young people who don’t know much about World War II this graphic novel is an accessible introduction to the persecution of the Jews. SH