Tragic and harrowing, Grass is the true story of Granny Lee Ok-sun, who was abducted during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the years just prior tTragic and harrowing, Grass is the true story of Granny Lee Ok-sun, who was abducted during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the years just prior to and during World War II. She was then enslaved as a "comfort woman" for Japanese soldiers for several years until the end of the war. The book begins with her an an old woman, preparing to go back for the first time to the Korean village she grew up in, 55 years after her abduction. It is not a pleasant tale, nor a necessarily hopeful one; it is a tale of survival and the determination of the human spirit to always try to make something good of horrific circumstances, even when those efforts seem pointless and fruitless. It is an incredibly important story, too, because it shows yet another monstrous side of war that many of us don't even know exists, much less think about. Highly, highly recommended....more
This certainly educated me some! The backmatter is hugely important; make sure you don't skip it. Between this and other things I've read, it's occurrThis certainly educated me some! The backmatter is hugely important; make sure you don't skip it. Between this and other things I've read, it's occurring to me the the history of the Wild West has been whitewashed just as much as the rest of American history. Dunno why I didn't just include it in with the rest--perhaps because there's more legend than fact about it in my brain. But those legends in my brain are disproportionately White, so I appreciate books like this expanding my horizons....more
It's a shame this was not printed in full color. I'm puzzled as to why it's not getting more attention in my library's kids comics collection because It's a shame this was not printed in full color. I'm puzzled as to why it's not getting more attention in my library's kids comics collection because it is an excellent book, and I think it's because it's more or less in black-and-white. American kids don't read comics in black-and-white in America until they get into manga, and then manga is really the exception to the rule. Doesn't matter how good it is. I would like to see them republish this in color--it's very good and a very important part of our history....more
The story itself is incredible and stands on its own, but the use of color to depict language and changing the art style from part 1 to part 2 to matcThe story itself is incredible and stands on its own, but the use of color to depict language and changing the art style from part 1 to part 2 to match the story goes above and beyond. I'm really curious to see what the next volume will be about, since Kun-lin is released from prison by the end of the first....more
Fantastic! So much I like about this book. Great collection of artists and biographies. I was simultaneously delighted and dismayed that there were soFantastic! So much I like about this book. Great collection of artists and biographies. I was simultaneously delighted and dismayed that there were so many women who had made significant contributions to modern society that I had never heard of. Hopefully books like these are a part of changing that. I also really liked the "what do you have in common with" part before each biography. Nice way to engage the reader to connect to the historical figures on a personal level!...more
I read this when I was a teenager and it still holds up incredibly well. Kind of depressing to see how much attitudes towards change are the same todaI read this when I was a teenager and it still holds up incredibly well. Kind of depressing to see how much attitudes towards change are the same today as back then. We have made a lot of progress to be sure, but we still have so far to go. ...more
**I only read the Red Summer chapter of this book, but I really liked it. Would have liked to have read more, but no time. Really nice presentation, t**I only read the Red Summer chapter of this book, but I really liked it. Would have liked to have read more, but no time. Really nice presentation, though! Maybe I'll come back to it eventually.**...more
Stuff I would never learn about if there wasn't a comic about it. I particularly appreciated learning about the less well known figures from this partStuff I would never learn about if there wasn't a comic about it. I particularly appreciated learning about the less well known figures from this part of history. It's wild to think there was a time when poetry was mainstream popular......more
I really, really liked the subject matter and the characters and the art. The only reason I didn't give it a higher rating is because I was a bit confI really, really liked the subject matter and the characters and the art. The only reason I didn't give it a higher rating is because I was a bit confused by the flashbacks. There were times where it wasn't clear what was happening in the past vs. the present. And it just went by so dang FAST. Nevertheless, a worthwhile read. I'd be curious to check out his other comics, particularly if they're about untold stories of Black history. ...more
I love this kinda stuff, and did especially when I was a kid. I would flip back and forth between pages and pore over similarities and differences. I I love this kinda stuff, and did especially when I was a kid. I would flip back and forth between pages and pore over similarities and differences. I have been fascinated by the passage of time and its effects for as long as I can remember... ...more
I have seldom seen a book with such depressing subject matter approached in such an unusual way. A little science, a little history, a little social cI have seldom seen a book with such depressing subject matter approached in such an unusual way. A little science, a little history, a little social commentary....more
There's a lot of misinformation about Sanger and what she was about out there. I appreciate the perspective that Jones offers as well as how she weaveThere's a lot of misinformation about Sanger and what she was about out there. I appreciate the perspective that Jones offers as well as how she weaves in parts of her own personal journey without taking center stage....more
Getting a first-hand account of the early days of modern manga in Japan was electrifying--it opened up a whole new world of creators and stories I'd nGetting a first-hand account of the early days of modern manga in Japan was electrifying--it opened up a whole new world of creators and stories I'd never heard of beyond Tezuka, who looms impossibly large during this period. I've already ordered a handful of Tatsumi's other works so I can explore further. Speaking of Tezuka, how amazing must it have been to have such immediate and intimate access as a young teenager to one of your heroes? I can't even imagine. I also appreciate the way Tatsumi interjects historical and pop culture events (like film releases) throughout as context. It really helps to cement the memoir in its time period. I would consider this essential comics history reading, manga or otherwise. ...more
I really like that Norgay gets equal billing here. It's stupid that for years and years Hillary got most of the glory. This is the beginning of rightiI really like that Norgay gets equal billing here. It's stupid that for years and years Hillary got most of the glory. This is the beginning of righting the record, not just for Norgay but for likely dozens of sherpas who've been up and down that damned mountain for decades now....more
I inhaled this in one sitting. I love the characters, I love the early-internet time period, I love the relationship drama...looking forward to volumeI inhaled this in one sitting. I love the characters, I love the early-internet time period, I love the relationship drama...looking forward to volume 2!...more
I was vacillating between 3 and 4 stars, but it's Adam Rex so he gets the benefit of the doubt. I suspect I would like this book better after successiI was vacillating between 3 and 4 stars, but it's Adam Rex so he gets the benefit of the doubt. I suspect I would like this book better after successive readings, but what I did enjoy was the subtle silliness of it. Kids' book that cater to this audience tend to smack you across the head with over-the-top humor, and when it's done well, I don't mind. Unfortunately, it's not often done well. I love the circular nature of the story, and I appreciate the gentle sarcasm that pokes fun at what seems to be the inherent superstitiousness of human beings. Rex's art evokes a bit of Disney--enough to be appealing as opposed to derivative...more
I knew absolutely nothing about this before I read this and I want to learn more! I have my suspicion as to why this isn't taught in history classes, I knew absolutely nothing about this before I read this and I want to learn more! I have my suspicion as to why this isn't taught in history classes, but I'll save that rant for another time. Hale is unparalleled in his ability to make history digestible for any audience, much less children. I highly recommend all of his books!...more
A beautifully illustrated story about a dark time in our history that we don't talk about nearly enough.A beautifully illustrated story about a dark time in our history that we don't talk about nearly enough....more
Tells the story of the Tulsa Massacre in simple, clear, and direct terms. It is not incendiary, provocative, or extreme in any way, and the illustratiTells the story of the Tulsa Massacre in simple, clear, and direct terms. It is not incendiary, provocative, or extreme in any way, and the illustrations are beautiful. Core collection for any library, hands down....more
Of course one of the first memorial-day-type celebrations was Black people honoring Civil War soliders. And of course, I'd never heard about it beforeOf course one of the first memorial-day-type celebrations was Black people honoring Civil War soliders. And of course, I'd never heard about it before today. Great writing and illustrations. I'm also fascinated by the idea of using a race course for a prison. I must learn more!...more
Loading...
