reviews - Jewish Book Council

CHILDRENS’ BOOK PROFILE
DUTCH GRAPHIC NOVELS IN TRANSLATION
FIND A TEEN AUDIENCE
By Hillary Zana
These graphic novels were originally published in conjunction with the Anne
Frank house in Amsterdam. Both are historical fiction about World War II. A
Family Secret, written in cooperation with the Resistance Museum of Friesland, gives
an overview of the Netherlands during the war, through the story of Helena, a Dutch
girl, and her good friend Esther. The Search, which was written in cooperation with
the Jewish Historical Museum of Amsterdam, tells the same story, but centers specifically
on the experiences of Jews deported from the Netherlands to Auschwitz.
A Family Secret
Eric Heuvel; Lorraine T. Miller, trans.
Farrar, Straus Giroux, 2009. 64 pp. $18.99
ISBN: 978-0-374-32271-7
The Search
Eric Heuvel, Ruud van der Rol, and Lies Schippers;
Lorraine T. Miller, trans.
Farrar, Straus Giroux, 2009. 64 pp. $9.99
ISBN: 978-0-374-46455-4
AFamily Secret gives a very detailed overview of the
war, from the Dutch point of view. The information
could be overwhelming to a young reader without much
background knowledge. For example, many children
might not understand the discussion of the Japanese
occupation of the Dutch colony in Indonesia. Characters
in the book represent the spectrum of morality—from
innocent victims and heroic resistance fighters, to passive
bystanders, collaborators, or evil Nazis. Because of
the graphic novel format, there isn’t much elaboration
as to the nuances of each character’s choices. The violence
is kept low key in the illustrations; guns are aimed,
but there is no blood or dead bodies. This too, however,
might mislead young readers, as the worst violence
depicted is a Japanese guard whipping a Dutch woman.
The Search features the same characters, but concentrates
on the Holocaust, as it affected Dutch Jews. As
its focus is narrower, it is would be easier for American
children to understand. One character is hidden during
the war by Dutch farmers; the second survives
Auschwitz. While the illustrations are not graphic, the narration is fairly specific as to
the horrors the characters experience. The illustrations are in a realistic style, very
similar to the drawings in the Tintin comics. This gives the books an old-fashioned
look, appropriate to the subject matter. The graphic novel medium will lure reluctant
readers or students who enjoy this format. Unfortunately, the cartoon format may
attract readers who are too young for the subject matter. The Search could be an
introduction to the Holocaust for middle school students, while A Family Secret
would be best for someone with some background knowledge of World War II. The
books should also appeal to readers interested in Anne Frank’s life. For ages 11–14.
Hillary Zana has a BA and teaching credential from Princeton University. She was a
day school librarian for many years and has written many Hebrew textbooks available
through Behrman House Publishers. She currently teaches English and history in
the Los Angeles public school system and is a National Board Certified teacher.
© Eric Heuvel