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Persepolis 2

Publication Information

Author: Satrapi, Marjane

Illustrator: Satrapi, Marjane

Title: Persepolis 2

Date: 2004

Publisher: Pantheon

City: New York

ISBN, paperback: 0-375-42288-9

ISBN, hardback:

Recommended audience:

ABE/ABLE: Yes

ESOL:

Family:

Young Adult: Yes

Picture: Yes

General Information:

Book Type(s): graphic novel, memoirs/reminiscences

HSE Descriptor(s): social studies

Summary:

This graphic novel sequel to Persepolis, depicts the author's rebellious adolescence and early adulthood among dissident outsider friends in Vienna and her voluntary return to her family in fundamentalist Tehran. Readers should be cautioned about references to coarse language, drug use, and sex.

Teaching Ideas:

Teachers will want to supplement the book with information--perhaps student research--of the American supported Shah, the rise of Ayatollah Khomeni, and the Iran-Iraq War. A Venn diagram might help compare life in Tehran and the U.S. Teachers could create a graphic organizer similar to a K-W-L to record the acts and events that Satrapi rebelled against, how, why, and what she learned that could be used for discussion and writing later. How does the author help us understand the role of the immigrant? What supports are missing in the author's adolescence? What are the characteristics of her mother, father, and grandmother that help her, even at a distance? In a secure class setting, the book could be used to introduce several sensitive issues--drug use, suicide, homelessness, sexuality, and divorce. Readers may want to discuss the effectiveness of the graphic design in relation to the text.

Teaching Strategies: