Reviews

The Breadwinner: A Graphic Novel by Nora Twomey, Deborah Ellis

mehsi's review

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3.0

A pretty OK book.. but I had some issues with the story (at times I missed information). Plus, at times I just felt I missed some motion/some action, it just felt like screenshots.

candelibri's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.0

I think the story is an excellent one. The graphic novel adaptation did it no favors. 

sara_harvey's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

rachelsdianat's review

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense

4.5

jaij7's review

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5.0

Gorgeous book. The topic is heartbreaking but so important to understand. This book helps in that understanding.

rgyger's review

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5.0

What drew me to this graphic novel was the story matter. A few months back, I watched a short youtube documentary about girls in this situation of having to dress as boys to help their families. I had never heard of the original book or the animated movie, so I went in to reading it without much of an expectation.

The story is one that is very beautiful and powerful, despite the depressing nature of the situation. All of the members of Parvana's family are extremely courageous. I felt that the artwork highlighted their lives beautifully as well, though I know other reviews have criticized that much of it was taken from stills of the animation. However, I personally don't believe that the graphic novel suffered for this.

I also don't think that anything was lost in the abruptness of the ending. In a way, not knowing what happens drives home the struggle of surviving in a country like this, at the mercy of powers beyond your control. And as I have learned recently from reading other graphic novels, they often do end abruptly. Yet I was not disappointed with this story's conclusion as I have been with others, and it may be that there will be more to follow.

whitneymouse's review

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3.0

The story is interesting, but I think I need to just watch the movie. It is VERY obvious they just took still frames from the film and added dialogue. The ending seems unfinished and vague. The pacing is all over the place. It probably should have been adapted from the book and not the movie that was based on the book. Seems like they took the easy way out and/or it was a cash grab.

thenextgenlibrarian's review

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5.0

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that there are places in this world like those depicted in this amazing graphic novel. Students will get empathy and understanding about another cultural, so different from their own. Parvana’s strength, courage and perseverance is something I greatly admired and will happily share with my students by book taking this one. #weneeddiversebooks #projectlit

sarahl13's review

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4.0

4.5/5

tofupup's review

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4.0

I'm clearly not the target audience for this graphic novel, but I think it's an important story to introduce to younger readers.