The Wall

Written & illustrated by Peter Sís

A young artist's dreams clash with the harsh realities of life behind the Iron Curtain.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,683 ratings

56 pages· 4,206 words· Est. 44 min read-aloud

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Bookroo's summary

Peter grows up behind the Iron Curtain, embracing the Communist ideals until Western influences seep in. As he discovers rock 'n' roll and banned books, his world shifts. The Prague Spring offers a taste of freedom, but Soviet tanks crush the dream. Can creativity survive oppression? Follow Peter's journey from obedient child to rebellious artist, seeking truth and expression in a repressive regime.

From the publisher

“I was born at the beginning of it all, on the Red side―the Communist side―of the Iron Curtain.” Through annotated illustrations, journals, maps, and dreamscapes, Peter Sís shows what life was like for a child who loved to draw, proudly wore the red scarf of a Young Pioneer, stood guard at the giant statue of Stalin, and believed whatever he was told to believe. But adolescence brought questions. Cracks began to appear in the Iron Curtain, and news from the West slowly filtered into the country. Sís learned about beat poetry, rock ‘n’ roll, blue jeans, and Coca-Cola. He let his hair grow long, secretly read banned books, and joined a rock band. Then came the Prague Spring of 1968, and for a teenager who wanted to see the world and meet the Beatles, this was a magical time. It was short-lived, however, brought to a sudden and brutal end by the Soviet-led invasion. But this brief flowering had provided a glimpse of new possibilities―creativity could be discouraged but not easily killed.

By joining memory and history, Sís takes us on his extraordinary journey: from infant with paintbrush in hand to young man borne aloft by the wings of his art. This title has Common Core connections.

The Wall is a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year, a 2008 Caldecott Honor Book, a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children’s Book of the Year, the winner of the 2008 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Nonfiction, and a nominee for the 2008 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids.