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The Good Fight
A fast-paced story set in the turbulent summer of 1933, this graphic novel sheds light on prejudice and racial injustice.
The summer is stiflingly hot and the growing city feels small as a xenophobic wave rises. Everyone flocks to the lake, where in one area of the beach, a neighbourhood protective association has formed to keep out “undesirables” and its members patrol wearing silver swastika pins. Meanwhile, as the world witnesses an alarming rise of anti-Semitism overseas, the local police chief believes the immigrant Jewish community is at the root of a communist threat.
Sid and his pop live nearby in Toronto’s immigrant slum, where they rent a room. Times are tough, and Sid faces difficult choices as he wrestles with honesty, bigotry, poverty and expectations as a member of a “whiz mob” — a gang of pickpockets. When Sid and his friends get coerced into assisting the police after they’re caught stealing a wallet, they become caught up in something much bigger than themselves. They must decide how far they will go to do what’s right and to protect those they love.
With extraordinarily cinematic artwork that immediately transports readers back in time, this incredible graphic novel shines a striking light on many contemporary issues: the immigrant experience, the roots of prejudice and taking a stand against injustice.
The summer is stiflingly hot and the growing city feels small as a xenophobic wave rises. Everyone flocks to the lake, where in one area of the beach, a neighbourhood protective association has formed to keep out “undesirables” and its members patrol wearing silver swastika pins. Meanwhile, as the world witnesses an alarming rise of anti-Semitism overseas, the local police chief believes the immigrant Jewish community is at the root of a communist threat.
Sid and his pop live nearby in Toronto’s immigrant slum, where they rent a room. Times are tough, and Sid faces difficult choices as he wrestles with honesty, bigotry, poverty and expectations as a member of a “whiz mob” — a gang of pickpockets. When Sid and his friends get coerced into assisting the police after they’re caught stealing a wallet, they become caught up in something much bigger than themselves. They must decide how far they will go to do what’s right and to protect those they love.
With extraordinarily cinematic artwork that immediately transports readers back in time, this incredible graphic novel shines a striking light on many contemporary issues: the immigrant experience, the roots of prejudice and taking a stand against injustice.
217 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 21, 2021
The Good Fight was a really accessible and enjoyable peek into a specific part of Canadian history. I've been wanting to learn more about the Canadian history of labour rights and the Canadian history of antisemitism, and this gives a really interesting look into both. The characters were likable and easy to root for. Recommended!
November 22, 2021
A really interesting graphic historical novel from a Canadian perspective! With conversations around the immigrant experience in pre-WW2 Toronto and the rise of anti-semitism, this book was a super interesting read. Most WW2 books are from a European perspective and I’m so glad that this is not only Canadian, but targeted towards young readers who can learn from it!
March 2, 2022
I found this graphic novel to be very engaging: though it is intended for a younger readers, it doesn't "talk down" to its audience, despite handling some fairly serious themes and historical references; it respects the intelligence of its intended audience. Well-developed characters, and very nicely-illustrated throughout.
December 20, 2021
I received a copy of The Good Fight by Ted Staunton and Josh Rosen from Scholastic Canada in exchange for an honest review.
The Good Fight is a graphic novel that tells the story of the Riot at Christie Pits in Toronto in 1933. The story follows Sid and his friend Plug as they try to help their families out. Surrounding them is the city they live in, where tensions are running high as Hitler is gaining power across the ocean in Germany, raising racial tensions around the world. While I had briefly learned about the Riot at Christie Pits in high school, it wasn't really something that I remember much about. This is what makes a graphic novel such a great medium for bringing stories from historical events to life, when it is written and portrayed well, which The Good Fight is. There is a good mix of historical events happening as these personal histories and stories are told. I would highly recommend this graphic novel to readers and also any Canadian high school history teachers who may want to add a great new graphic novel to their curriculum.
The Good Fight is a graphic novel that tells the story of the Riot at Christie Pits in Toronto in 1933. The story follows Sid and his friend Plug as they try to help their families out. Surrounding them is the city they live in, where tensions are running high as Hitler is gaining power across the ocean in Germany, raising racial tensions around the world. While I had briefly learned about the Riot at Christie Pits in high school, it wasn't really something that I remember much about. This is what makes a graphic novel such a great medium for bringing stories from historical events to life, when it is written and portrayed well, which The Good Fight is. There is a good mix of historical events happening as these personal histories and stories are told. I would highly recommend this graphic novel to readers and also any Canadian high school history teachers who may want to add a great new graphic novel to their curriculum.
February 9, 2023
Interesting glimpse of depression era history in the city of Toronto. Poor emigrants face racism, particularly Jews, in a Nazi influenced neighbourhood in the beaches area of Toronto. I say glimpse because I found this a little difficult to follow at times. There was a historical note at the end of the book that I think would have served well to be at the beginning to help set the stage. I think that there was just too much story to be told to be contained within a 217 page graphic novel. It was still an interesting story and the graphics were engaging, so certainly not a waste of time.
This is targeted toward a late elementary/high school audience. I think the lingo and historical references will sail high over their heads to the point that they may not get it at all. A lot of negativity in this review, but I did like the book.
This is targeted toward a late elementary/high school audience. I think the lingo and historical references will sail high over their heads to the point that they may not get it at all. A lot of negativity in this review, but I did like the book.
June 17, 2021
13 year old Sid and his friends face challenges of hunger and getting involved in criminal activity during a time of racial conflict in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sid and his friends have to make up their minds which side they are on when troubles arise and an incident occurs during a ball game. Events are based on a true story.
November 13, 2023
Not my usual cup of tea but picked it up because I thought my students might be intrigued.
I like that it's Canadian History. The fact that the boys are pick pockets would definitely peak kids interests. I like the mix of history with the story line. It was good.
I like that it's Canadian History. The fact that the boys are pick pockets would definitely peak kids interests. I like the mix of history with the story line. It was good.
November 9, 2021
Graphic novel about antisemitism etc in Toronto, 1933. Very educational, which I loved. Subject matter I would put at age 12 or 13. Some of the plot may be a bit difficult for a kid to follow though.
April 16, 2022
“𝑻𝒐 𝑷𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆. 𝑻𝒐 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔.”
I’m always looking for new graphic novels to add to my classroom; Scholastic has The Good Fight featured recently, and seeing that it was Canadian and about a piece of Canadian history I knew nothing about, I quickly ordered it.
Set in Toronto in the summer of 1933, two things are rising: the heat and racial tensions between residents surrounding the rise of Hitler in Europe. Sidney, Plug and Rosie are friends who do whatever they can to help their families get by as immigrants to Canada during a time when immigrants weren’t always welcome, leading up to the Riot at Christie Pits. I appreciated that Ted Staunton wasn’t afraid to tackle a Canadian perspective on anti-semitism for young readers. The story deals with many mature themes and references, and doesn’t talk down to its audience. The characters are well developed, especially Sid, and very easy to root for. The illustrations make the story come alive, and I loved the sepia tone that some moments took on. The story for the most part is easy to follow, being divided into chapters; there were a few moments where I did get a bit lost, and thus I feel my students might as well; a couple more clarifying details might’ve made the narrative a bit more clear.
The Good Fight is based on true events, shedding light on a darker, more unknown time in Canada’s history. To quote the author, “it takes you back to a time to a younger very different country, growing and changing into the one we know today.” It ultimately is a story of hope, peace, justice and friends who are like family. It is a worthy addition to my classroom library.
I’m always looking for new graphic novels to add to my classroom; Scholastic has The Good Fight featured recently, and seeing that it was Canadian and about a piece of Canadian history I knew nothing about, I quickly ordered it.
Set in Toronto in the summer of 1933, two things are rising: the heat and racial tensions between residents surrounding the rise of Hitler in Europe. Sidney, Plug and Rosie are friends who do whatever they can to help their families get by as immigrants to Canada during a time when immigrants weren’t always welcome, leading up to the Riot at Christie Pits. I appreciated that Ted Staunton wasn’t afraid to tackle a Canadian perspective on anti-semitism for young readers. The story deals with many mature themes and references, and doesn’t talk down to its audience. The characters are well developed, especially Sid, and very easy to root for. The illustrations make the story come alive, and I loved the sepia tone that some moments took on. The story for the most part is easy to follow, being divided into chapters; there were a few moments where I did get a bit lost, and thus I feel my students might as well; a couple more clarifying details might’ve made the narrative a bit more clear.
The Good Fight is based on true events, shedding light on a darker, more unknown time in Canada’s history. To quote the author, “it takes you back to a time to a younger very different country, growing and changing into the one we know today.” It ultimately is a story of hope, peace, justice and friends who are like family. It is a worthy addition to my classroom library.
September 22, 2022
Loved it!!! Read it in one day !
July 2, 2023
Fascinating take on a sometimes frightening piece of Toronto history. I’d heard of the Christie Pit riot, but didn’t know the details.
November 16, 2025
good book imo it kinda lacked a climax but it had some fun parts and realistic day to days
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews