83 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Harrowing, violent graphic novel of a city under siege.
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What's the Story?
As 83 DAYS IN MARIUPOL begins, many citizens of the Ukrainian city are debating whether to evacuate. When Russian troops first fired upon the city's residential streets on February, 24, 2022, the armies predicted the city would fall within days, perhaps even hours. But as Russian rockets threatened the city, the residents resisted with a combination of sacrifice and bravery. Mariupol endured for nearly three months, but at a steep cost.
Is It Any Good?
The war in Ukraine is a monumental subject, and this important, harrowing graphic novel captures the small moments of terror and bravery from the siege of one city from February to May of 2022. In 83 Days in Mariupol, Don Brown views the warfare with a reporter's eye, recording the refugees' tales with hard-won eloquence as their city crumbles around them. Brown portrays many of the citizens as almost featureless figures, emphasizing how the war has stripped them of their individuality. The book's black-and-white illustrations lend an immediacy that prose alone can't match. Harsh and powerful, this book will inspire interest in this modern-day struggle for freedom.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the depiction of the war in Ukraine in 83 Days in Mariupol. How does what you see in the media compare to this book? What are some examples of the people of Mariupol showing empathy, teamwork, and perseverance?
How do governments spread propaganda about armed conflict? How can you find reliable sources of information during wartime?
How might a graphic novel be able to tell different stories than just text? How do the illustrations and text work together to affect the reader?
Book Details
- Author: Don Brown
- Illustrator: Don Brown
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Activism , Brothers and Sisters , History
- Character Strengths: Courage , Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Clarion Books
- Publication date: January 1, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 188
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 7, 2023
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