The Sibert Award, the most distinguished informational book published in the preceding year, was awarded to THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN by Peter Sis. This book is an autobiographical picture book telling of Peter Sis's life growing up behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. The majority of his story is told through his illustrations, and immediately the color red is seen to be very significant.
Peter Sis was born in Czechoslovakia after it was under Soviet control and the borders were closed. He had a very happy childhood. He wasn't aware of any other way of life. He attended and joined all of the compulsory activities including the Young Pioneers, the Communist youth movement. Sis even verifies that the youth were encouraged to report any anti Communist activities by parents or others to the authorities. Sis draws what is going on throughout his time, particularly pictures about war since nuclear war was believed to be an imminent threat. Everything in their lives were controlled - telephones bugged, radios jammed, certain books banned, shortages of food, and art is censored. Even then Sis knew he had to draw in secret in case his drawings might not be appropriate (thinking of the U.S and British flags). His brainwashing picture evidenced his view of what went on during this time.
Then Sis starts to learn things about the West in his youth. The music in particular appeals to him - the Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones - and he starts to secretly listen to Radio Luxembourg and secretly tape the songs. He and his friends start to rebel and create a rock band and wear long hair. Then in the spring of 1968 the new government leader relaxes on some of the rules and the future looks brighter. Then in August of the same year, the Soviets invade because they see Czechoslovakia becoming too progressive. Then the Beach Boys come to the rescue. Sis starts drawing about all of his dreams for a better life and his nightmares of what is really going on. He is in jeopardy because he is breaking the rules. He is forced to join the service, but all of the things that are banned are being done in secret. People wanting freedom, including Sis, started drawing their dreams on the Wall and the sides of buildings. Every time it was covered up, they would secretly go out and paint their dreams again. Things got worse, but their dreams never faded. On November 9, 1989, their dreams came true with the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Within this picture book, Sis includes a journal type entry of events that are occurring. What a marvelous and simple book to share with students on Veterans Day for them to see what freedom others didn't or don't have and that we do have because of the brave men and women that fight for our freedom. The significance of the color red within the early pencil drawings could trigger a discussion of how one small thing can have such a powerful message. It is good for the students to read primary sources of information about what actually occurred behind the Iron Curtain.
