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 Results Are In! (Poll #6)

The readers of The Bookshelf have voiced their opinions – the results for the sixth poll, the enjoyment/unenjoyment/neutrality of graphic novels, are in! Graphic novels, known as comic books to many, are stories that are told with pictures. They come in many different forms. There is the original comic book with panels and speech bubbles; manga, which is a Japanese variation of the comic book that reads back-to-front and right-to-left (con.fus.ing); the average novel, with black and white pictures interspersed within the text (examples would be Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Happyface, a book I have reviewed); and there’s the simple picture book. 

Manga

I typically prefer the words of a story over the illustrations. However, the graphic novel is an ever-growing form of literature, art, and fandom. Graphic novels have created new readers and art addicts alike. Due to all the hype and all the expansion of graphic novels, I decided to challenge myself by reading one this month. I chose a graphic novel that would be of interest to me: Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography. Earlier this month I reviewed the original heart-breaking and inspiring novel. I decided that I would like to experience the wonderful tale of willpower and resilience in a different format. A review of Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography will published later today.

On to the results!

The question: Do you like graphic novels? The answer options and results:

• Yes! They are the only books I read! 2 votes, 15%
• Yes, I enjoy both novels and graphic novels. 4 votes, 30%
• They’re OK. The pictures are nice, but I prefer the words. 5 votes 38%
• No, I don’t read books with pictures. 2 votes, 15%

A collection of comic book onomatopoeia

I’m happy to see that all answer options were voted for; a great sense of a variety of different readers is found on this blog. I’m also happy to see that the third option won because that is my views on graphic novels also! Thirteen votes were recorded for The Bookshelf’s sixth poll. Thirteen is the second highest amount of votes on any poll on The Bookshelf – only to be beat out by Poll #5: Books into Movies, with seventeen votes. Thank you, thank you (thank you) so much to everyone who voted, but I know we can do better! I’m offering an opportunity for us to make a record number of votes on the next poll. That’s right; on Tuesday Poll #7 will be published! It will be open until early/mid July – plenty of time for us to establish a new record for The Bookshelf!

(images via and via)

Poll #6: Graphic Novels

The graphic novel is an ever-expanding form of literature. Originally only available in the form of the comic book, graphic novels were typically only read by “nerds” and “geeks” and the occasional “dweeb.” However, now the term graphic novel has expanded its definition. Many people, new to both graphic novels and reading itself, have recently discovered the joy of graphic novels and the different varieties in which they are presented. Of course, there’s the original comic book, but there’s also manga, a Japanese form of graphic novels, read from back to front and right to left (talk about confusing…); there’s the novel with pictures, usually black and white, interspersed (think Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Happyface, a book I reviewed); and lastly there’s the picture book – the simple story with simple sentences with simple words. As you can see, graphic novels are a growing form of both literature and art; a storm that has gripped people of all ages.

Manga

I have mentioned previously that I do not care for this form of literature. I greatly prefer words, and the power and wisdom that they offer, over illustrations. After reading Happyface, by Stephen Emond, my stance on graphic novels changed slightly. But Happyface was an exceptionally written novel, with pictures added here and there. So, I suppose I will be able to tolerate the novels with added pictures from now on.  But what about the comics and manga? Unfortunately, I do not see myself liking those types of graphic novels; too many pictures, not enough words.

However, I am always open to new ideas and formats when it comes to books. So for this month of June I, and you, the readers of The Bookshelf, hopefully alongside me, will be reading one graphic novel. Since this is going to be tough for me – I have a difficult time focusing while reading an uninteresting book – I have chosen to read a graphic novel that might appeal to me: Anne Frank, the Graphic Biography. It is an authorized, sponsored the Anne Frank House, edition of The Diary of a Young Girl. I thought it would be appropriate to choose Anne Frank because I just recently reviewed the original edition of the inspiring, heart-stealing diary. This edition of Anne Frank is written/illustrated as a comic book; it has panels and speech bubbles, but still reads front to back, left to right. I will be publishing a review on this edition of The Diary of a Young Girl, however, the review will not focus on the content of the story, but more on the illustrations, the imagery, and how it compares to the original. 

The review for the graphic novel edition of Anne Frank will be published June 18th, the same day that…wait for it…Poll #6 ends! Yes, the wait is finally over (and I know some of you have been waiting a long time)! Today, I present to you a new poll, one that will be asking your opinion on graphic novels! Don’t worry if you’ve never read a graphic novel before, or if you’ve only read one specific type, or even if you are just learning about graphic novels; everyone’s opinion is valuable. 

The question: Do you like graphic novels? You can find the answer options – and vote too! – above the “about me” section on the right side of the page. Vote now! The poll closes on June 18th!

(images via and via)

What's Happening this Month?

Attention, attention! All readers near and far get ready, because The Bookshelf, on May 16th, will be turning one-year-old! I am so proud of all the progress that The Bookshelf, and I, have made. Looking at previous posts from last year, I can see how much I've grown and developed compared to newer, more recent posts. I have discovered amazing books, enhanced my writing skills, and have developed an (even) greater respect for literature. But most importantly, I believe I am starting to complete my goal: to inform the world of great books.

I am receiving more and more page views, from twenty plus countries, I am reaching out to people on different ends of the globe, I am discovering what a huge world it truly is out there, and how the people of that world can meet together and share and discuss and seek on one simple book blog. The Bookshelf is slowly, but steadily, becoming one of these meeting places. I am proud, and I am in awestruck of all of the book lovers, young, old, new, shy, loud, and all of the different literature they like, fiction, non-, realistic, fantasy, mystery, romance, poetry. For it is not me or the web or even books that keep this blog alive. It is the readers, the viewers, the commenters, the praise"ers", and the criticizers that keep this blog alive and thriving.

Thank you.

There will be many posts special just to The Bookshelf and me this month. Look forward to reviews/recommendations of Gary D. Schmidt, a favorite author of mine, a review of The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan, another favorite author, a review of Unwind by Neal Shusterman, yet another (no surprise!) favorite author, and I'm sure a few more reviews of spectacular books. (Maybe I'll make this month favorite authors month. Hmmm...) Also on the horizon: part 2 of last year's Stats, a new poll featuring graphic novels (aka, comic books!), and, most endearing to me, a poem-ish post on May 16th about all that happened in one year.

There you have it! May will most certainly be a historical month for The Bookshelf! Once again, thank you to all my readers, and I hope that I will continue to post here for quite some time.

- Jacob Hopkins

(image courtesy of Donna Hopkins, PatchWork Photos)

Happyface: You Can't Run From Reality

While meandering through my local library, I came across a seemingly optimistic and friendly book, Happyface, by Stephen Emond. Only when I began reading the first few pages of this book, did I realize that this book is actually a deep, heart-wrenching look at what’s true and what’s fake in life.

I usually refuse to read novels with illustrations. Call it whatever you want: comic book, graphic novel, manga, picture book, I prefer my fiction in the written word. However, Happyface, which I thoroughly enjoyed, is in fact part words, part pictures. Of course, I enjoyed the words much more than the picture counterparts, but I found myself oddly attracted to the pictures that beautifully illustrate this story. Mind you, this book is not like a comic book with different panels and speech bubbles, but more like a story, a journal actually, that has both beautiful and whimsical drawings interspersed within the text (similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, for those of you who have read it). I found myself astonished at the fact that my view of graphic novels was very two dimensional and stereotypical. This book may have changed my view on graphic novels. I smell a new poll idea…

With that being said, let’s get to the story. Happyface starts off with an unnamed fourteen-year-old boy receiving a journal from his father, an aspiring author. He journals about his family life, his parents who are at odds with each other, his perfect older brother, Everett, and his only best friend, Chloe, with whom he also has a major crush. The narrator lives a quiet life, hiding in the shadow of his brother, disconnected from his parents, not talking to many people. Then one day, the boy’s parents split, and he moves to a small apartment with his mom. When I was reading this part in the book, I was baffled; the narrator went from living an okay life, to, all of a sudden, moving to a new place, leaving behind his dad, his school, Chloe, his brother. There was no reason given to the reader as to why he was moving, except for his parents’ marital troubles, especially with alcohol. I chalked this up to poor writing (which did not help my view of illustrated novels, at the time), only to realize later that something else happened, something major that the author was not ready to reveal.

The narrator begins life at his new school with a very cliche attitude: that he can recreate his life. He takes his once quiet, introverted personality and adds oomph to by doing one thing: smiling. Through many difficult situations he keeps smiling, which earns him the nickname, Happyface. He makes new friends, new enemies, and a new crush. He desperately wants Gretchen, a popular girl, to love him, but as the reader discovers, probably not for the right reasons. Happyface was traumatized by events that occurred in his past, and he feels the need to be known, wanted. He develops a false identity as an always happy person that doesn’t let anything faze him, and he quickly climbs up the social food chain.

Not only does he hurt himself in this big coup, but he also hurts the people around him. His real personality and past begin to shine through this mask he created for himself, and he is confronted by his demons.

This is a great coming-of-age novel that shows how different people respond to tragedies. Happyface runs from the truth and the pressure and guilt soon builds up, builds up so much that he almost explodes of falsity. He learns that he must face his past, the people that deceived him, and the people that he lost, in order to move on. He soon discovers that he can’t fix everything just by smiling.

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars