2008 Sibert Award Winner

The Wall
by Peter Sis

The 2008 winner of the Sibert award, The Wall by Peter Sis, is an historical autobiographical account of the author’s life from childhood to adolescence. His unusual and very graphic form to depict and illustrate his youth growing up in Czechoslovakia during the time when Communism existed is presented first hand. The author’s ability to maintain his individuality, culturally, artistically, and spiritually was inspirational considering the historical circumstances. While growing up in a time when control of freedom and stifling of creativity was dominated, Sis was able to attribute his escape through his drawings and memories of hope. I think this book will call to young adolescents as the content may be difficult for some younger readers to grasp. I believe the history aspect will be quite appealing to those interested in events that occurred in the past.