ashylibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Jerusalem: A Family Portrait is a powerful graphic novel that recounts the war and division between Israel and Palestine. Yakin brings together a story that grabs emotions and explores a major event in our world history. Going into this book, I did not know a lot about the war that divided these two peoples, and even after reading this I still don't know as much as I can about it. However, I can say that I have a perspective on the war that introduced me to the trauma, horrors, and grief that was faced by all.
At certain points throughout the story, I had a difficult time following whose plotline I was reading, so I do wish there were some more section break pages. Overall, though, I think this book strongly brings an important, tense part of history to the pages of a young adult graphic novel.
At certain points throughout the story, I had a difficult time following whose plotline I was reading, so I do wish there were some more section break pages. Overall, though, I think this book strongly brings an important, tense part of history to the pages of a young adult graphic novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Religious bigotry, Racism, Child death, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Violence, Murder, Blood, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
alexism26's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This graphic novel is very informative about a time in Jerusalem that is not always covered in history lessons. One of the things that takes this book to the next level is the honesty the artist and writers used to show the history of this controversial land.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Islamophobia, Murder, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Trafficking
This is a very mature book it is not suitable for young children but it is a great resource to be able to show the conflict of the Palestinian/Israel conflict to young adults.
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