A review by saralynnburnett
Deogratias, a Tale of Rwanda by Alexis Siegel, Jean-Philippe Stassen

3.0

Even though it grates against my bibliophilic tendencies I am looking for ways to incorporate graphic novels into education and had hoped that this one about the Rwandan genocide could be a possibility, but I'm not so sure. While I know that a majority of 9th graders are somewhat immune to violence and language and wouldn't bat an eye at the lines/graphics/racial slurs in this book, I'm not convinced that their parents would be so open minded. I also wish that this particular story wasn't told in flashback. I found it confusing at times I know this history of Rwanda pretty darn well. There is a great, though brief introduction that gives an overview of the entire conflict and there are some great potential comparisons to be made between France's policies in French speaking Africa, and America's policies in Latin America, AND the book packs an emotional punch... but I wish there was less sex/graphic language, and more history to make it a little friendlier to the classroom. I would need a second opinion and perhaps parental permission slips before asking 9th graders to read it :-/