Deogratis

Deogratias: A Tale of Rwanda
Stassen
978-1596431034

To sum: Takes place after the Rwanda genocide, with flashbacks to what life was like before and during the genocide, and the effect the genocide had on Deogratias, who was a young teenage boy when the genocide happened. Personally, I remember being aware of what was going on, but this book does a good job of explaining how it came to be that way. The translator wrote an introduction explaining the history of the region, which added a lot to the story.

What to watch out for: Well, it deals with genocide, and there's a lot of how the "inferiour" class of Tutsi were treated. During the genocide of the Tutsi in the town where Deogratias lives, the Tutsi women are raped, killed, and the bodies just thrown into piles where the dogs roam free. Deogratias exacts revenge on those he feels killed the girl he liked.

Where to shelve: I have it in the adult collection, however could also see it in a high school library as well. I would say it's more appropriate for 16+, but could also see this being used in school to teach about an almost forgotten part of history.

If they liked: MAUS, recommend this to them. Also, it's a good tie in for Hotel Rwanda

Interesting to note:

http://maslifblog.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/book-challenge-formal/

Other reviews:

http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781596431034-3
http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/deogratias.html
http://www.curledup.com/deograti.htm
http://us.macmillan.com/deogratiasataleofrwanda
http://www.grovel.org.uk/reviews/deogratias-01/deogratias-01.htm
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/07ggnt.cfm
http://yzocaet.blogspot.com/2007/02/deogratias-tale-of-rwanda.html

Also found in The Reader's Advisory to Great Graphic Novels, pg 64