Information Books: The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain

Bibliography
Sis, Peter. 2007. THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTIAN. New York: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 978-0374347017

Plot Summary
In THE WALL, Peter Sis tells his story of growing up on the “wrong” side of the Iron Curtain. Peter has been an artist from the beginning. He grew up in Soviet-controlled Czechoslovakia being indoctrinated in the Communist way of life- being spied on and asked to spy on others, including his own parents. There were many things he had to do- learn Russian, join the Young Pioneers (the Communist youth movement), even collecting hops for beer. Before going to school, Peter was free to draw what he wanted, but when he went to school, he was told to draw pro-communist illustrations. In 1968, the iron grip the government had on its people is briefly lifted, but it doesn’t last. The Soviets bring tanks to regain control. As Peter matures, he begins to have dreams of freedom and liberty and happiness. In 1984, while permitted to work in Los Angeles, Peter refuses to return to his country, fearing that he would never see his family again. Thankfully, in the late 80’s, Soviet-controlled countries like Czechoslovakia, are given their independence.

Critical Analysis
Peter Sis combines his country’s political history with his own autobiography using brilliant artwork to do most of the telling. The artwork, pencil drawings, is like reading a comic book, but with annotations. The drawings tell a story of their own with the all- important red flags and stars prominently displayed in stark contrast to the gray tones of his life. The black and white drawings are a sad symbol of life behind the Iron Curtain. A life without color. But the colors show up, sometimes just a little and sometimes across the whole page, symbolizing freedom, hopes, dreams, and happiness. The late 1960s are depicted across a two page spread of bright colors and whimsy. These were happy times and it comes shiny through in this pictorial.

Sis does an excellent job of not bogging down the reader with facts about Communism, but gives just enough detail to keep the reader gasping-“Children are encouraged to report on their families and fellow students”- and wanting to know more. His story is told across the bottom of the page in short, simple sentences-“He didn’t question what he was being told. Then he found out there were things he wasn’t being told.”- while the story of his country is laid out next to the pictures in italics-“Telephones are bugged” and “Free radio stations are jammed again”. Every so often, he throws in two pages of excerpts from his journal, revealing more of his story, allowing the reader to get inside his head; his thoughts and feelings. In 1977 he writes, “Rumors, rumors, rumors. Everyone suspects everyone else of being an informer. Can we hope things are ever going to get better?” It is possible to hear his frustration and loss of hope as people seem to be turning on each other.

As the reader moves through timeline of Peter’s life, they are swept up in emotions of sadness, shock, anger, hope, and finally joy. What a remarkable retelling of history.

Awards Won And Reviewed Excerpt(s)
Caldecott Honor Book
Robert F. Sibert Award - Medal
American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults
Boston Globe - Horn Book Award
Booklist Editors' Choice
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books of the Year
WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD review: “The Wall makes for irresistible reading.”
Starred review in THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN”S BOOKS: "Will both engross and haunt his audience.”
Starred review in KIRKUS: "A masterpiece for readers young and old."
Starred review in THE HORN BOOK: ““The deployment of media choices and color throughout the book is both expert and telling…”

Connections
*THE WALL can be used to supplement social studies lessons about the effects of WWII and/or socialism/communism.
*In Social Studies, it can also be used to discuss the differences between communism and capitalism.
*In an art class (or literature), the illustrations can be used to discuss how color can show mood.
Other books about the Berlin Wall, the Iron Curtain, and Communism:
Schmemann, Serge. WHEN THE WALL CAME DOWN: THE BERLIN WALL AND THE FALL OF SOVIET COMMUNISM. ISBN 978-0753461532b
Gottfried, Ted. THE ROAD TO COMMUNISM. ISBN 978-0761325574
Dahlberg, Maurine F. ESCAPE TO WEST BERLIN. ISBN 978-0374309596