Kendall Henderson - Persepolis

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I'm already someone who likes graphic novels, so I was really excited to read this. The thing that stuck out to me in this book, and which I really loved, is that Marjane is so curious and headstrong. I think she is such a great example for younger readers. She's vocal about things she believes in, she participates in the world, she seeks out new ideas, and she has ambitions and believes in herself. I think it's so rare and important to see young protagonists, especially girls, that don't let the world push them around or belittle them for being adolescents. It communicates such a good message to younger readers: that because they are young doesn't mean they're powerless and that speaking up for yourself and your beliefs is still important even if you think it might not matter. In a world that seems to try increasingly to suppress strong and passionate voices that go against the norm, Marjane is a great example of an engaged person who is always seeking to learn and improve the world. She examines her beliefs and the world around her and believes that she can make a difference.

I also think the political themes are especially relevant. On one hand it's so important for people to have an awareness of what's going on in other countries, especially since our culture is so increasingly global and things are always interconnected. Even just in the preface I was shocked to learn that "the CIA, with the help of British intelligence, organized a coup against [Mossadeq]" (2)  to gain access to Iran's oil. With international relations so opaque to the public stories like this are essential to staying informed about politics, human rights, and economies abroad and how our own government is involved. I think this novel does such a great job of warning against ignorance or neutrality. Having the story in the form of a graphic novel also really works to communicate something that otherwise might be complex or uninteresting for many readers in a way that humanizes the story and makes it accessible. This is especially great for young readers, who might feel or be perceived as too young to understand these things, to learn that everyone is affected by world issues and it's not just a "grown-up problem." This shows younger readers the experiences of someone in an entirely different culture than theirs and can hopefully give them a better perspective on their own lives and the experiences of those in places totally foreign to them.

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