Hector

Written & illustrated by Adrienne Wright

A boy's tragic death during a protest sparks change in apartheid-era South Africa.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 224 ratings

48 pages· 1,127 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In 1976 South Africa, young Hector Pieterson becomes a symbol of resistance after a protest turns deadly. Through the eyes of Hector, his sister, and a photographer, this graphic novel captures the struggle against a law forcing students to learn in Afrikaans. As tensions rise, the story reveals the personal and political stakes of a fight for justice, shedding light on a pivotal moment in the battle against apartheid. Will Hector's sacrifice ignite change, or will it be lost in the chaos?

From the publisher

A Junior Library Guild Selection! On June 16, 1976, Hector Pieterson, an ordinary boy, lost his life after getting caught up in what was supposed to be a peaceful protest. Black South African students were marching against a new law requiring that they be taught half of their subjects in Afrikaans, the language of the White government. The story’s events unfold from the perspectives of Hector, his sister, and the photographer who captured their photo in the chaos. This book can serve as a pertinent tool for adults discussing global history and race relations with children. Its graphic novel style and mixed media art portray the vibrancy and grit of Hector’s daily life and untimely death. Heartbreaking yet relevant, this powerful story gives voice to an ordinary boy and sheds light on events that helped lead to the end of apartheid.

At a glance