My review is 5 Stars
This is a “Spin off” from R.J. Palacio’s other novel titled “Wonder” and “Auggie & Me.” In “Auggie and Me,” the reader is introduced to Julian’s grandmother, Grandmère. She is the main character in this novel. You do not have to read the other two novels by R.J. Palacio. It is a completely new story and genre. To be honest, I did not realize that these characters were from those other novels until I read the afterward by the author. It is an interesting way to tie the books together though. This is a fictional story about WWII. It is heartbreaking story but told delicately. I did cry a few times while reading the novel. But it is not violent at all. It can be read as a YA novel.
This book is a graphic novel. Do not be turned off by it being a graphic novel. It was so powerful and the graphics were great. Once I started, I could not put it down. It is reminiscent of Anne Frank only that the novel is set about a girl who is hiding in a barn from Nazis during WWII. A little boy, Julien saves her life. Additionally, Julien has polio and the story touches on bullying. The story does focus a lot on Grandmere and Julien’s evolving friendship. She comes to have a bond with Julien where before the war, she would have never given him the time of day.
There is an afterword, that includes more details about history during this time as well as further reading on the subject matter. It is a good resource for teachers who may read this to their students or parents to teach their children about WWII.
This novel will stay with me for a while. Although a work of fiction, the details of the story are like it was not. war. There is one graphic that as I read the reviews before reading the book that is controversial. The author makes one comparison to current events. A lot of people gave it a 4 star because of this, but it was one small part of a larger and more powerful story regardless of this one graphic.
I give this book a 5 star because the graphics, plot, and characters were amazing.
Here are additional links to the Goodreads account and author information.