Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Powerful account of national tragedy.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
From the start, KENT STATE: FOUR DEAD IN OHIO shows a school and a town in 1970 getting ready for a bloody confrontation. Students want the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) to leave campus as part of a protest against the war in Vietnam. The National Guard is desperate to maintain control. Tensions rise over the course of a week, culminating in a showdown that leads to the shooting deaths of four students and the injury of nine others.
Is It Any Good?
Journalistic graphic novels aren't common, but this powerful chronicle of a national tragedy uses the comics medium to full advantage. In Kent State, author-illustrator Derf Backderf builds his account of the Kent State massacre from interview transcripts and news reports, and he unearths details that remain haunting after five decades. The four students are treated with sympathy, their stories heartbreaking and infuriating. The National Guard is portrayed as a mix of gung-ho bigots and scared amateurs under incredible stress. Readers who can stand the intensity will find much food for thought.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio depicts student unrest at Kent State in 1970. Does the author's depiction remind you of any recent protests around the country?
What techniques can a cartoonist use that are not available to a writer of prose? What kinds of stories work best as graphic novel?
What factors contributed to the tragedy at Kent State? Could the shootings have been prevented?
Book Details
- Author: Derf Backderf
- Illustrator: Derf Backderf
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Activism, History
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Abrams
- Publication date: September 9, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 15 - 18
- Number of pages: 288
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: March 12, 2021
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate