Countdown: A Vision to the Past

The saying goes, a picture can tell a thousand words. But how many words can a picture tell when it’s supplemented with a story? My guess: millions.

Visionary, imaginative, innovative, and never before created, Countdown, by Deborah Wiles, is a photographic experience. A scrapbook, you may say. Told from the point-of-view of a strong young girl, Franny, Countdown explores the deep heat of the 1960s Cold War from an adolescent’s perspective.

An inside photo

Franny, a middle child, lives outside the Andrews Air Force base in Maryland, a location that could be struck by weapons of mass destruction from Cuba. With the ever-present threat of danger, Franny adapts to a strange new environment, but not without any obstacles. She must continue to live a semi-normal life, while participating in drills at school, spying on a secretive sister, struggling with a delusional relative, and dealing with a rocky friendship. Also bringing out issues of civil and women’s rights, Franny makes many discoveries in herself and the people and areas around her.

An original ad from the '60s

Interspersed with rich black and white photographs, biographies of ‘60s icons, speeches made by politicians, and songs written by rebels, Countdown is a fun and engaging history lesson wrapped around a coming-of-age story. Franny must make sacrifices, take blame, and rely on her trust to prosper in these difficult times. While the photographs and extra pieces of writing do not directly relate to Franny’s story, her challenges and her victories can be seen in other figures of the 1960s. Printed on nice paper, with rich shades of gray, the pictures make for the ultimate reading experience.

A bio found in Countdown

Countdown, a book that should be read by people of all ages, all times, and all races, is a story of finding yourself while faced with circumstances that you have absolutely no control over. Franny, who I found reminiscent of Anne Frank, manages to smile, make the best of situations, and progress smoothly through her life, always seeking wonder and joy.

The first in the Sixties Trilogy, Countdown allows history to come alive and open itself to all generations.

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

(Cover image via. Inside page pictures were taken by yours truly, Jacob Hopkins)

Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography: The Renowned Story in a Different Format

Entirely authorized and sponsored by The Anne Frank House, Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography is one of many adaptions of the beloved diary. This adaption comes in the form of a graphic biography, published to receive a larger audience of the readers of Anne’s diary. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the graphic novel is steadily becoming a popular form of literature and art. While I preferred the book, The Diary of a Young Girl, to this adaption, I was dumbfounded at the knowledge, research, and detail that were put into this book. Since I have already reviewed the book that inspired this graphic biography, I have decided to allow this review to focus more on how the illustrations and photographs conveyed the powerful message of Anne’s words. 

Inside pages

Illustrated and adapted for graphic biography form by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón, this adaption sticks close to the original in almost identical detail. Using photographs to set the scene, illustrations to communicate the surroundings, and words to tell the tale, Anne, those around her, and the annex building where they were living come to life. The photographs, which captured portraits of the people in hiding and the setting of Amsterdam, Holland, enforced the idea that this harrowing, yet powerful, story is true. The illustrations, beautifully drawn, were able to display the characteristics of Anne and the external hardships that she faced. The words, my favorite element of the biography, were both parts of the story and captions. Some words were Anne’s, taken from her diary and the original book, others were added to create a well thought graphic biography.

Anne Frank

Admittedly, I did not find Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography as excellent as The Diary of a Young Girl. However, it was still a top-of-the-line graphic novel with accurate descriptions and charming, realistic characters. I applaud Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón for having the desire and perseverance to thoroughly research, adapt, and illustrate a new form of the diary, with its spectacular voice and inspiring vision of resilience and hope. I am happy that I read this adaption of Anne Frank’s story, her life. I believe that it has given me more insight to how difficult the events that occurred around Anne were, but how, with companionship and faith, she came out strong. Despite not surviving all her obstacles, she most definitely had a strong and influential ending. An ending, and beginning and middle, which needs to be told to all people.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars

(images via and via and via)

The Diary of a Young Girl: A Voice for People of All Types and Ages

“Anne Frank died so others would remember. An extraordinary journey,” wrote Steven Spieldberg in the VIP guestbook at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Holland.

“Anne Frank died…” While the Nazis were gaining control of Germany in the late 1930s/1940s, the Frank family, Jewish, was busily escaping to Holland to hide from the “Führer’s” wrath. On her thirteenth birthday, the youngest member of the Franks, Anne, received a diary. She began writing in her diary when her family was moved into hiding when the Germans began to take control of Holland. The Frank family began to hide in a secret annex behind an office building. After a few days of hiding, another family, the van Daans (the van Pels in real life – Anne changed names in her diary to protect identities) joined Anne and her family. With the much grateful help of a group of workers from the office, the Franks and the Van Daans began to live a guarded and risky life. Anne, a voice for underdogs, the disadvantaged and underappreciated people of all ages, used her diary, with her exemplary thinking and writing skills, to overcome prejudice, face adversity, and develop resilience. Anne had ways of thinking light years beyond her age and time. With words and emotion, Anne has reached millions of people everywhere. Unfortunately, even after so much fight, courage, love, and realization, Anne did not make it. It is unsure how, but Anne and her family were captured and placed in concentration camps. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, was the only one that made it out alive.

Whoever is happy will make others happy too.

­– Anne Frank

“…so others would remember.” Upon escaping, Otto Frank returned to the secret annex, hoping to find Anne and Anne’s sister, his daughter, Margot. He was deeply saddened when he discovered an empty hideout, but was in awe when Miep, one of the secret annex’s helpers, gave him Anne’s diary, one of only very few items that survived the Nazis overpower of the annex. After some hesitating, Otto released a revised version of his daughter’s beloved diary. A few years later, The Diary of a Young Girl was published in the United States. After both the New York Times and Eleanor Roosevelt gave the book stellar reviews, the book quickly became required reading in schools across the countries, teaching children about Hitler’s genocide and promoting creative and free thinking.

In 1955, an adaption of the diary was released as, The Diary of Anne Frank, a Tony award-winning Broadway play. Following the play’s monumental success, a movie adaption of the play was shown on movie screens across the country. The Diary of Anne Frank, the movie adaption won three Academy Awards and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture.

Every year, legions of admirers travel to Amsterdam, Holland to visit the Anne Frank House museum. The Anne Frank House is an exact replica of the office building and its secret annex. At the Anne Frank House, you can visit the rooms of every occupant of the annex, and you can see original documents written by Anne, including her honored diary. I cannot wait to visit the Anne Frank House one day; to see for myself what Anne’s life must have been like. However, in the meantime, I, and you, the readers of The Bookshelf, can take an online virtual tour of the entire building – the office, the annex, plus more!

Anne greatly enjoyed writing and always dreamed of being famous. Today, and forever to come, she is famous. People around the world read her story, flock to Amsterdam to live her tale, and write personal messages on a virtual tree to encourage her legend. 

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

– Anne Frank

“An extraordinary adventure.” It’s no coincidence that Anne’s story is so successful. From the early stages of a diary to a book to a play to multiple movies, Anne’s voice is always strong and determined. Anne always saw the best in people and wanted to be a good person. Despite faced with difficult circumstances, Anne wrote freely about freedom from prejudgment, desire for companionship, and the need to find herself. Anne was an extraordinary person and, as anyone who has read the book knows, a loveable, often humorous adventure. Anne Frank, her life, her story, is an extraordinary adventure.

Who would ever think that so much went on in the soul of a young girl?

– Anne Frank

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

(images via and via)

Zora and Me: Valiant Stories of a Young Girl, Future Author

Zora Neale Hurston was a prominent African American novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist. Her love of storytelling and her inquisitive mind as a child allowed her to become a famous author as an adult. Born and raised in the all-black community of Eatonville, Florida, Zora was always getting into trouble and defying the rules to get an insider story. She quite frequently told largely exaggerated, or even entirely false, tales to her family, friends, neighbors, or anyone who would listen. She coveted books in the town's local bookstore, and one day she would find her own books at the same store. Having written over twenty books, short stories, plays, and articles, Zora's 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, was her most successful product. The ultimate tale of life and identity, Their Eyes Were Watching God was, and still is, a book that caused huge improvements in women and African Americans lifestyles. Zora received much acclaim for this novel and many of her other pieces of literature. She received the chance to work alongside Langston Hughes, a Harlem Renaissance poet and playwright, and is well respected in today's literary community. I recently read a book about Zora Neale Hurston before she was a famous novelist, Zora and Me, by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon, a tale narrated by Zora's best friend, Carrie.

Zora Neale Hurston, as an adult

Carrie, a fictional character, but based on real friends from Zora's life, has always been Zora's best friend, always following her around. Zora's shadow, you could say. But Carrie's quite alright being the shadow; she's quieter than loud, flamboyant Zora. Carrie always has a great time with Zora, hearing her recite her wacky stories. One day, Zora declares that there's a half-man/half-gator living in Eatonville. Of course, no believes her except Carrie, who is slightly skeptical herself. But if there is one thing that Zora is, it is determined. She stands by her story and will fight until she proves it. While traveling to their favorite tree, Zora, Carrie, and another friend discover a young man with a guitar, named Ivory. He is traveling to collect sap from the trees in Eatonville, and to sell it in the city. The friends like the kind man and enjoy his music.

Two children playing in Eatonville, FL

However, one day it is discovered that a "guitar-playing, hippie" is found dead, decapitated on the train tracks. Without needing to look, Zora and Carrie know who it is, their new friend Ivory. Saddened, the two friends go to the local swimming pond and discover that a local elderly woman, who considers herself a physic, has fallen off the edge of the cliff. The fall is declared accidental, but Zora thinks different. She believes that the same person that killed Ivory, attempted to kill the old woman. However, Zora doesn't think it was a person. She thinks it was the half-man/half-gator.

This leads the two friends on thrilling adventures, talking to the local officials, trespassing, eavesdropping, spying, and the most fun part: putting all the puzzle pieces together to solve the mystery.

This short, but fun, book gives, in amazing detail, the life of Zora. The reader is in advantage because the narrator is Carrie. If the book were to be narrated by Zora, we would be unable to get the descriptive words and imagery that come with viewing Zora's different journeys. Beautifully written and surprisingly thoughtful, Zora and Me is the perfect book for those that wish to know more about Zora Neale Hurston, or for those that have never even heard of her.

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter: A Fictional Bio

A fictional biography. It's not often that you hear that, but that's exactly what Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is. This book acts as a biography of our 16th President's life. However, it's not the story you've learned in school. This bio is about Abe's life as a vampire hunter. This bio tells his life exactly how it originally happened, but with added vampires.
***SPOILERS BELOW***

In the introduction, there is a narrative piece from the author. He claims to have received ten journals, all written by Abe. He then uncovers the truth about Lincoln's life, and begins to write a book about it. From that point on in the book, the reader is reading the finished book that the author wrote. The book tells about how Abe's mom was killed by a vampire. How he swore to kill every vampire in America, subsequently becoming a vampire hunter. He kills every vampire that comes his way, until one day something changed in his life; his first child is born. He then realizes that his life is too important, and if he were to be killed by a vampire, he would leave a child fatherless. So, he fights vampires another way: with words and politics. He becomes a phenomenal public speaker, which helps him win the presidential race. Using his great power, he helps the Union win the war. This is excellent, because the vampires play a huge part on the Confederate side (I won't tell you how). Lastly, the book talks of his murder, and his murderer: John Wilkes Booth, a vampire.

I found this book very well rounded, and actually thought provoking. There's a lot of talk about good and evil, and right and wrong. This book is more than just a supernatural mash-up, it's a book that leaves you smiling, laughing, and wanting more.

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars (that's how good it was!)