With the rise of graphic novels as a valuable tool in the classroom, we've seen more comics for teens with a historical focus. Defiance and its prequel, Resistance (2010), are two of the best to appear on the scene.
Both are set in a small French village in Vichy, France, after France's surrender to Germany in WWII, and focus on the Resistance efforts of the Tessier family. By the time Defiance begins, the German army has taken over their village. Fourteen-year-old Paul uses his drawing talents to fight back against the occupation by making propaganda, and his mother and sisters help the maquis living in the Jura mountains and the Resistance in any way they can. Meanwhile, Paul's aunt has decided it's smartest to side with the Nazis.
In retrospect, it seems easy to declare the good guys and the bad guys in this struggle, but one of the strengths of this series is that Jablonski explores the grey area. She elevates the book into the realm of a great story that just happens to be set 60 years ago. Jablonski does not over-explain the situation, and instead lets the characters, particularly the teenagers, drive the action.
Combined with Purvis's active art, especially the panels in which he draws in the fashion of Paul, this stimulating story sheds much-needed light on a brave episode of history rarely discussed in this country. --Stephanie Anderson, manager of WORD bookstore in Brooklyn, N.Y.