The Other Side of the Wall

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 11, 2015

Review

This is the first American edition of a graphic novel first published in Germany by Schwartz. This aptly-named autobiographical story tells of Schwartz's birth and first years in East Germany before his family was finally allowed to emigrate to the other side of the Wall. Their desire to leave the DDR (German Democratic Republic) brought great hardship for his parents as they were continually questioned by the East German secret police, fired from their jobs, and shunned by their families (particularly Schwartz's paternal grandparents who whole-heartedly supported the doctrines of the East German government). In clear, mostly four-paneled pages of black and white drawings, Schwartz tells of his parents' struggles and their eventual escape to the West. Readers won't get too much of the about the actual doctrines of the DDR, but a glossary and timeline at the end of the book might inspire them to find out more. The graphic novel format is an accessible way for readers to glean insight into what was a tense and frightening time for many Germans. The only criticism of the book was that it ended a bit abruptly, but it did deliver its promise to get Schwartz to the "other side of the wall". Recommend for schools teaching modern European history, and for public library collections looking to add non-superhero-type GNs in the vein of Marjane Satrapi and Zeina Abirached.

Overall Book Score: good