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THE HIDING PLACE

A GRAPHIC NOVEL

This accessible adaptation portrays a story of resilience, faith, and enduring impact.

A compelling account of the remarkable true story of Dutch watchmaker Corrie ten Boom, who sheltered Jews during World War II.

Amid the chaos, she courageously became part of the underground resistance and endured the horrors of the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Rooted in her unwavering Christian faith, this graphic adaptation of ten Boom’s 1971 memoir for adults, co-authored with the Sherrills, beautifully captures the essence of sacrifice, bravery, and love for others. Each section commences with either a Bible quote or a religious reflection from ten Boom herself. The narrative paints a vivid portrait of her life before, during, and after the war. The illustrations, both powerful and evocative, showcase the prewar Netherlands and the gradual descent into extremes of human cruelty and the harsh realities of wartime existence. A variety of techniques are employed in the visual storytelling, including dramatic cutaways, split panels, close-ups, layered cells, and panoramic views, enhancing the plot’s dynamic nature. Ragged-edged panels paired with scenes of violence and pain add a visceral element to the storytelling. To convey the sinister nature of Nazi-inspired dialogue, Castro skillfully utilizes angry, red-rimmed speech bubbles. The narrative unfolds as a sometimes tragic, often heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant journey. The epilogue features photographs and an update on ten Boom’s postwar life, highlighting her missionary work worldwide until her death in 1983.

This accessible adaptation portrays a story of resilience, faith, and enduring impact. (Graphic biography. 11-14)

Pub Date: April 9, 2024

ISBN: 9780800762544

Page Count: 240

Publisher: Chosen Books

Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024

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ELON MUSK AND THE QUEST FOR A FANTASTIC FUTURE

YOUNG READERS’ EDITION

A modern American success story, neither overly earnest nor unreservedly adulatory.

Vance slims down his 2015 portrait of an entrepreneur who has made and spent several eye-watering fortunes on the way to restarting our country’s space program and possibly revolutionizing the auto industry.

In Vance’s view, Musk, afflicted with that vision thing, has always had his eyes on the prize—not of making bazillions but of providing humanity with the means to move beyond our confinement on a single, fragile planet. He has made bazillions nonetheless. Noting the big payoffs as well as his propensity to follow up compelling promises with scandalously late delivery dates, Vance takes readers through his booms and busts with several enterprises—notably PayPal, Tesla Motors, SolarCity, and what has the potential to shape up to be his grandest triumph of all, SpaceX. Along with views of youth and early geekdom (“It’s remarkable how many things you can get to explode,” Musk recalls), he relates suspenseful accounts of technical and financial crises, conducts tours of Musk’s factories (which are, pointedly, all in the U.S.), and brings his story up to early 2016. Overall, the author offers a picture of a brilliant, driven man: “He almost hypnotizes you,” says an associate. “He gives you the crazy eye, and it’s like, yes, we can get to Mars.” Illustrated with small, rare, dispensable photos.

A modern American success story, neither overly earnest nor unreservedly adulatory. (timeline) (Biography. 11-14)

Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2017

ISBN: 978-0-06-246328-9

Page Count: 288

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2016

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