Jun 11 2008
Planning for Persepolis
Yesterday Pellissippi State’s Common Book Committee met and discussed ideas for examining the themes and ideas in Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi’s warm and human graphic novel about her childhood in Iran in the 1980s during the Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis. I’m excited about choosing it as our common book, and about the projects and programs that are in the planning stages. I’ve read the book and look forward to seeing the movie version soon.
The committee is planning to have Iranian expatriot who will talk about her first-hand experiences during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. We’ll be showing the cell-animated film. We’ll also have students writing about many ideas in the book, and we may even have students write, draw, and publish their own graphic novel.
This blog will be a central place for our students and faculty to exchange ideas about this exciting novel and film. You can check for upcoming speakers and programs, read student writings on the book, watch author interviews, and leave comments. Bookmark this site and be sure to leave a comment!
2 responses so far
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Sue Yamin’s presention at the convocation was thought-provoking. Ms. Yamin, I like the lesson you learned when you were living in Iran and learning the language: “what I say is not what I mean.” Did I get that right? Can you post in the blog the three lessons that you included in your presentation? Thank you for discussing the experience of your husband being denied access to services in his own country, and for revisiting these memories. It is especially important since we are at war and understand the culture though war-time media coverage.
we are a private high school of about 800. We have decided to choose this book as our school-wide summer reading for the coming year. I just watched the “lecture” by prof yamin and was more convinced than ever that this would be a good choice with the right pre-planning. A few are not sure if this is suitable/appropriate for incoming freshmen. We plan on a history/religion/cultural compenent. The kids wil also produce a short version of a personal graphic novel. Any ideas?