Persepolis discussion

For my first reading, I chose Persepolis, written by Marjane Satrapi. This book is an autobiographical text (originally told in four pieces, but available in two parts in the English version). The first part, Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood is more YA level appropriate, as the second part follows Satrapi's journey into adulthood and thus covers more mature content. In Part I, Satrapi documents her experience growing up in Iran, specifically during the Islamic Revolution in the 1980s. The book is written in graphic novel format, and follows Satrapi's point of view, documenting her recollection of events.

I have read this book before (as is the case with the majority of the suggested YA novels for this course), but I never mind revisiting this story and throughout the course of my relationship with this book I have interacted with it in many different contexts.

I first read this novel in the original French (I took French classes since around the age of 4); it was assigned in an advanced-level French class and, as someone who also enjoys historical texts, I was riveted. The second time I encountered this text in a classroom setting was my freshman year of my undergraduate program, where it was assigned as part of my course on Graphic Novels. Currently, it is one of the options available for my middle schoolers to read as an independent novel.

This book speaks to me for many reasons. As both an English Language Arts AND Social Studies teacher, it provides ample information to analyze and discuss with students. I enjoy using autobiographical, biographical, or even fictional texts as supplemental material in my history classes specifically because it allows middle school students to connect on a personal level with the historical events through connecting with a character they can relate to.

I find that everyone who reads this book relates to Satrapi because of a different aspect. Some connect because of her identity as a girl/woman, some because of her response to the war and the society she is growing up in through her rebellious acts, some identify with her because of her family's eventual decision to send her out of the country for her own safety.