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8 Historical Graphic Novels for Young Readers & 5 Book GIVEAWAY // #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2024

 

Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day is thrilled to present our #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2024 series in conjunction with The Children’s Book Council.

Please welcome author Richard Conyngham with his list of 8 Historical Graphic Novels for Young Readers. We are giving away 5 copies of his book, All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa. Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.

 

8 Historical Graphic Novels for Young Readers

Catherine’s War by Julia Billet, illustrated by Claire Fauvel, translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger

This middle grade graphic novel about the Nazi occupation of France shines thanks to heartfelt depictions of young womanhood and a soft color palette. Much of the artwork is inspired by real photographs taken by the author’s mother, which makes it all the more visceral. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]

A Year Without Mom by Dasha Tolstikova

Another gorgeous graphic novel about growing up in volatile times. Set in Moscow in the early 1990s, Dasha is just trying to be a normal teenager in Russia. When Dasha’s mom leaves for America, Dasha navigates friendships, school, and family relationships without her mother as the country changes all around her in dramatic ways. [middle grade, ages 10 and up]

Boxers & Saints (companion series) by Gene Luen Yang

This set of graphic novels depicts a grassroots rebellion in late 19th century China by offering us sympathetic viewpoints—as well as the fully spiritualized worldviews—of both the Chinese peasants who rose up against the British and Chinese converts during the Boxer Rebellion and the Christian Chinese who defended their new faith against the Boxers. [young adult, ages 12 and up]

War Brothers: The Graphic Novel by Sharon E. McKay

This is the story of a 14-year-old child soldier in Uganda, based on the award-winning book of the same name. After being abducted and inducted into a local rebel soldier group, he and his friend escape, but the book introduces us to the true horrors of war through the eyes of a child forced to be a soldier. [young adult, ages 15 and up]

Abina and the Important Men by Trevor Getz, illustrated by Liz Clarke

I encountered this book while writing All Rise and think of both its creators as kindred spirits. Combining the comic form with the original sources, discussion points, and expert perspectives, it arguably stands out as the perfect tool for historical learning. It’s pioneering and sets a precedent for others to aspire to. [young adult, ages 16 and up]

All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa by Richard Conyngham, illustrated by Saaid Rahbeeni, The Trantraal Brothers, Liz Clarke, Dada Khanyisa, Tumi Mamabolo, and Mark Modimola

I wrote this collaborative book in the hope of breaking open dusty old archives and unearthing explosive, colorful never-before-told stories of defiance and humanity. The idea was to use the power of artwork to make the reading experience inclusive. I hope the artists and I have succeeded! [young adult, ages 16 and up]

Run for It: Stories of Slaves Who Fought for Their Freedom by Marcelo D’Salete

Probably my greatest inspiration for the way D’Salete reconstructs atmosphere and narrative from the barest fragments of archival sources. For me, the ending of the first story, Kalunga, is so beautiful it’s worth cutting out and framing. [young adult, ages 16 and up]

Twists of Fate by Paco Roca

From the comfort of an aging war veteran’s home, Roca plays interviewer and historical excavator, taking his readers on a journey to North Africa during the Second World War. His drawing and coloring are iconic and nostalgic, and he even has his very own font. [young adult, ages 16 and up]

GIVEAWAY: 5 Copies of All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa to 5 Winners!

We are giving away 5 copies of his book, All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa. Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Richard Conyngham is the author, creative director, and researcher behind All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa, a graphic anthology highlighting ordinary heroes in South Africa’s civil rights history pre-Apartheid. After graduating from the universities of Cape Town and Cambridge, he worked for South African civil-society organizations Equal Education, The Bookery, and Ndifuna Ukwazi, the London publisher Slightly Foxed, and the edtech organization MakeTomorrow. In 2016, Richard collaborated with the Trantraal Brothers to create Safety, Justice and People’s Power, an illustrated companion to the O’Regan-Pikoli Commission of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha. He is busy working on the prequel to All Rise. To learn more, follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

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