Sis, Peter. 2007. The Wall Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. New York: Frances Goster Books. ISBN 978-0-374-34701-7
Plot Summary
In this autobiography Sis tells the reader how he has wanted to draw all of his life. He grows up in the country of Czechoslovakia when WWII has ended, but it is occupied by the Soviets. He is living on the side of the Iron Curtain that is ruled by communism and symbols of it are everywhere. Sis loves to draw at home, but he is told what to draw at school. Everything in his life is compulsory or discouraged. The Iron Curtain strengthens as tensions increase with the Cold War. As Sis becomes older he realizes the government keeps secrets from him and people are being brainwashed. His love for drawing continues and with that comes a love for Western music such as Elvis, Beach Boys, and The Beatles. He wants to grow his hair long, but the government will not allow that. Art begins to appear on the wall. "People are followed, monitored, harassed, imprisoned, deported, and tortured." He dreams of being free flying over the wall. Finally, his dream comes true when the Berlin wall begins to come down. Sis moves to America to become an artist.
Critical Analysis
This is definitely not a picture book for young children. This is written for teenagers and up who are familiar with the Cold War and history. The basic text is easy to read and does not contain many words. There is an introduction and an afterword that explains more about his life. He begins with three basic words (Iron Curtain, Cold War, and Communism) with their definitions bordering the picture of an infant.
The book is organized from the time Sis is an infant until he is an adult. Most of the drawings are in black and white. Everything that is a symbol of communism is painted in red which really stands out on the pages. There are sidebars of text next to some of the pictures to explain what is happening. Their are dated inserts from his journal beginning in 1954 to June of 1977. The journal pages have drawings mixed with real photographs. The use of bright colors represents influences from the West on a double page spread. The pictures he draws of all the police have pig faces. The bright colors are seen again when people are painting the Wall over and over. Sis uses double page pictures of all the ways he dreams to escape. Text and pictures come together on the double page of the Berlin wall with positive words such as ( freedom, truth, happiness, virtue, art etc.) on one side of the wall. Negative words are in gray such as (stupidity, fear, suspicion, corruption etc.) on the communist side. The last double page picture is bordered by text explaining how the Wall fell from Communist control on November 9, 1989. His dream came true.
Review Excerpt(s)
Caldecott Honor Book 2008
Orbis Pictus Award 2008
Robert F. Sibert Medal 2008
Voya (Kevin Beach): "This book is packed with the author's primitive art that simply and effectively illustrates the history of Czechoslovakia's struggle with totalitarianism and evokes the dreams of its repressed people."
Kirkus: "A concise introduction fleshes out the history of the time, leaving the rest of the volume for a potent mix of narration, fanciful illustrations, maps and double-page spreads for journal entries. "
CCBC: "Renowned author and illustrator Peter Sís’ brilliant autobiographical exploration of the creative spirit offers his trademark blend of intricate visual images and narrative."
Booklist (Jennifer Mattson): "Throughout, terrific design dramatizes the conflict between conformity and creative freedom, often through sparing use of color; in many cases, the dominant palette of black, white, and Communist red threatens to swallow up young Peter’s freely doodled, riotously colored artwork. "
The San Diego Tribune: "With Sís, everything is multilayered and full of surprises. Getting it all in one read is like seeing the Metropolitan Museum of Art in an afternoon."
Connections
-Create a timeline for Peter's life
-Conduct an oral interview with someone who lived from 1930-1980's during the Cold War. Ask them about their memories of the Iron Curtain.
-Choose a topic from the book to research. For example Gagarin, Laika, Aurora, Staliin, Kremlin, Brezhnev, Khrushchev, Lenin, the Wall, The Beatles, Harlem Globetrotters, Beach Boys, Allen Ginsberg etc.
-Research the symbols of Communism and what they mean.
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