In a passionate introductory note, Michael Morpurgo invites readers to “weep” over these glimpses of war.Īmerican children, at least, may not shed many tears, but they should come away feeling closer to understanding what that century-old conflict must have been like to those who fought in it. The diary’s abrupt end leaves the writer wounded but complaining of boredom as he recuperates the artist closes with sample pages from a handwritten album of songs found with the document. Most depict somber figures in uniform, drawn with geometrical noses that give them the look of puppets or mannequins, trudging through sheets of rain or sketched rural settings. Along with portraying how he rescued the account from a pile of curbside rubbish, Barroux illustrates the diary with large panels of heavy-lined drawings made with butcher’s pencil and a pale yellow varnish wash. Aside from occasional thoughts of family left behind, the writer’s observations are detached in tone-even gruesome sights of a human leg caught in a tree and heavily wounded patients in a hospital ward are only noted in passing.

5, 1914, the anonymous diary tersely records mustering, train rides, weary marches, efforts to scrounge up provisions and billeting, much digging of trenches, and advances and retreats under enemy artillery fire. Pham’s artwork is vibrant and appealing, with stylistic changes for Shannon’s imaginings and the leeching out of color and use of creative panel structures as her anxiety and depression worsen.Ī likable journey that is sensitive to the triumphs and agonies of being a 13-year-old girl.Īn unusually personal view of World War I’s early days, conveyed by new illustrations grafted to a French soldier’s chance-found diary.ĭated Aug.

While the text is sometimes in danger of spelling things out a little too neatly and obviously, the emotional honesty and sincerity drawn from Hale’s own life win out. In particular, the social norms of a church-oriented family are clearly addressed, and religion is shown as being both a comfort and a struggle for Shannon. Capturing the visceral embarrassments of middle school in 1987 Salt Lake City, Shannon’s emotions are vivid and often excruciating. As events in Shannon’s life begin to overwhelm her, she works toward finding a way to love and understand herself, follow her passions for theater and writing, and ignore her cruel inner voice. In this third entry in popular author for young people Hale’s graphic memoir series, the young, sensitive overachiever is crushed by expectations: to be cool but loyal to her tightknit and dramatic friend group, a top student but not a nerd, attractive to boys but true to her ideals.

Shannon just wants to get through eighth grade in one piece-while feeling like her own worst enemy.

Friends forever shannon