Irène Cohen-Janca

I received an advance review copy of this beautiful book from the publisher through NetGalley. Go

I have always been fascinated by the story of the Golem of Prague. Usually as a side story in a larger work, this was my first time diving into the source story itself. Beautiful art. I could feel the cold of the Prague snows and the chilly isolation of the characters. I knew that this graphic novellas was meant for young people and was not prepared for how deep and moving the story was.

The show more first Frankenstein's monster I suppose, but with a sound moral purpose driving his creation. the Golem, like Adam, is fashioned from clay with orders to rid Prague of the persecutors of the Jewish inhabitants. The Golem, unlike Adam, is created by a man and this animated super being without a soul is a creature born to suffer as it gains first knowledge of his environment and then later turns his increasing intellect to contemplate his own existence. The comparisons to Mary Shelley's story are countless.

Behind the story of the story of the rescue of the Prague Jews from their persecutors there is the framing story of a lonely young boy who is our surrogate--the character who opens the door into the past and opens himself up to the sorrows of isolation.

As soon as I finished this beautiful book I knew that I would read it again to pick up the many complex layers contained in what at first appears to be a simple and beautiful story. show less

Forced by the Nazis to leave their orphanage, 160 Jewish children march through the streets of Warsaw. Led by their beloved director, Doctor Korczak, the children are defiantly joyful as they enter the ghetto. Two years later, the same children are rounded up to be transported to the death camp, Treblinka. Offered his freedom, Doctor Korczak refuses to abandon the children and proudly joins them to make sure that they are comforted even at the very end. This extraordinary true story show more introduces young readers to a remarkable man whose humanity and bravery shone through during one of history’s darkest periods. Beautifully poignant drawings accompany the text, adding to the somber tone of the book. A gatefold page towards the end shows the line of children led by Doctor Korczak as they leave on their last journey. show less

For two years, Anne Frank and her family lived hidden in the back building at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam. Through a skylight she could see a mighty chestnut tree. It offered her the only opportunity to experience a little nature in her hiding place. Anne describes the tree several times in her diary. Its seasonal transformations as well as the power of its flowers and leaves gave her hope for a returning spring. Irène Cohen-Janca tells Anne Frank's story from the perspective of the show more chestnut tree. With his fine lines and precisely placed color accents, Maurizio A. C. Quarello succeeds in letting the arbitrariness of those in power, the feelings of the prisoners and Anne's dreams speak through the images. show less

What a wonderful retelling of the Golem story, though I must admit I am not too familiar with either the legend or the Meyrink novel abusing it (defintely have to change that some time).

The story is mysterious and a little bit scary, but not too much - of course, the beautiful illustrations which perfectly capture the slightly creepy mood have a good deal to do with that. It is always a good thing to bring in some young main character in a children's book, so that readers can more easily show more identify with and experience events through his or her eyes.

I also appreciated the small glossary at the end of the book explaining some central keywords related to Jewish tradition and was helpful and interesting for people (like me) completely unfamiliar with that religion.

A wonderful, slightly dark story for teen readers as well as adults. show less