Spiegelman’s parents survive the Holocaust and are reunited in the second half of this iconic masterpiece. Given the outcome, its subtitle seems odd . . . but not for long. Layer upon layer of doubt, fatigue, and tragic irony mount as Spiegelman struggles to continue in spite of what appears to him to be failure of his cartoon format. Indeed, how does one tell such a story? How can the diminutive nature of the characters represent the enormity of the Holocaust? And how does one extract the story from a cantankerous old man who wants nothing more than to forget.

Reviewed by James B., Main Library

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All around the world, children are kidnapped and forced to do terrible things, all in the name of something they don’t believe in, or understand. Jacob is a fourteen year-old boy living in Uganda; he is smart and attends an all-boys school with his friends. One night, he and his friends are kidnapped and forced to act as rebel soldiers. Can Jacob kill like he is supposed to? He must decide between death or survival, but can he live with his actions later? If he escapes, what will happen when he gets home? The art work is very moving, as is this fictional story that is similar to tales of children from around the globe who are abducted and forced into rebel armies.

Reviewed by Maeve C., University City Regional

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