Cover Image: Children of the Resistance

Children of the Resistance

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Member Reviews

'Children of the Revolution Volume 1: Opening Moves' by Dugomier with art by Ers is a graphic novel about the early German occupation of parts of Europe.

In Pontain-L'Ecluse, the Nazis have begun driving through town. Young Francois doesn't like it, and he is shocked that fellow villagers seem to be ok with it. He and his friend decide to resist, even if it's in small ways.

I liked this story told from this perspective. There is a nice essay at the end with history and real photos. The art is pretty great.

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Author Vincent Dugomier published the graphic novel “Children of the Resistance - Volume 1 - Opening Moves” in 2019. This is the first of six in his Children of the Resistance series. He has produced several graphic novels.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘G’.The publisher suggests this publication for a 9+ audience. The story is set in 1940 France. The main characters are the two young French boys François and Eusèbe.

François lives in the village of Pontain-L'Écluse. François cannot believe how the adults have accepted the German occupation. He enlists his friend Eusèbe to unite their families and neighbors against the Germans.

I enjoyed the hour I spent reading this 60-page graphic novel of the French Resistance. I don’t read many graphic novels. This is only the third that I have reviewed. True stories from WWII inspire the story. The two barely teen resistance fighters do not accomplish great acts of sabotage. Their resistance is mischief targeted at the Germans. Though if caught they would have been severely reprimanded, even shot. They do succeed in changing village opinions about the occupation. I like the chosen cover art. I give this graphic novel a 4 out of 5.

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I appreciate it so much when authors and artists think up ways to make history more tangible and relevant. This story of three french children who resist the Nazis is visually attractive and draws you in with a good, solid story that is thrilling to the end. It also effortlessly conveys knowledge about the Second World War and the german occupation of France. Not only enjoyable and instructive for children, but also for adults! I would absolutely recommend this to school libraries too.

I thank Netgalley and Europe Comics for a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

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Two French teenagers begin to resist after the occupation by the Germans. I like how they begin by fighting back in the littlest ways, defacing posters, printing anonymous pamphlets. While the characters and town are fictional, the story is based on real events. It's an interesting perspective on the events of WWII.

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The author beautifully told the story, but the art is where it was at for me. The book is described as being based on "true stories." I wish I knew more about what was true and what was fictionalized. It seems to be too incredible a story to not be one I've been familiar with. I read a lot about the Nazi era, and I have only seen entirely fictional works like this. Kids sabotaging Nazi efforts successfully seems too good to be true.
Aside from the necessary suspension of disbelief, it was a vindicating story, and I am glad to have read it.

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In May, 1940, Germany attacked France. The country fell in just six weeks. In Putain-L'Ecluse. a small (and fictional) village, nothing seems to have change with the exception of refugees passing through, seeking safety and, a few days later, their return as the Nazis block off the roadways, followed soon after by Nazi soldiers marching through the streets. Thirteen-year-old Francois is dismayed by the seeming acceptance of the occupation by the adults and, with the aid of his best friend and a young German-speaking girl who claims to be from Belgium, is determined, through small acts of sabotage, to make the villagers fight back.

The graphic novel, Children of the Resistance Volume 1 Opening Moves is written by Dugomier with art by Ers and published by Europe Comics. Although the story is fictional, it is based on journals written by young people during the occupation as well as stories told by the writer's relatives who lived through it. it is well-written and the art complements the story. It gives an interesting view of what it was like to be a child during the war. Most importantly, it reminds us that, even in the worst most dangerous of times, there are always ordinary people willing to risk everything to fight back.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

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Children of the Resistance is the sort of title I want on my childrens’ bookshelves. It is easy to read, but the story it tells is detailed, layered, and thought-provoking.

Through the experiences of young François, the reader sees the war as it might have been interpreted by the children who witnessed it. This generation does not receive a great deal of attention from the larger market but they were not immune to the events of the larger world and I love how this story illustrates both the practical and emotional aspects of growing up during a period of uncertainty and chaos.

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As a Holocaust Research for Yad Vashem, I found this book very useful and will buy a copy and share with my children when I feel I'm ready to explain more of what Mommy does to them.

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A decent intro for kids to catch a glimpse of life in France during WWII. Though not particularly deep it does touch on various view points. Think of it as a way to have a conversation with kids about what it feels like to experience war at home.

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This graphic novel tells the story of some early acts of resistance in a French village during the World War II. I found the story to be very simple and not hugely gripping and felt that it only really got going towards the end, shortly before the end of part one. I also found that some parts of the story needed more explanation, for example, how Lisa appeared in the village. The resistance made such a huge contribution and I'm not sure this book as it is so far, does enough to show the significance of its efforts.

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Most Americans have very little knowledge of what was going on in France while it was occupied during World War II. So, this graphic novel, based on real French resistance fighters, is a great introduction to the movement.

According to the authors, most resistance fighters didn't talk about what they did, and if it weren't for diaries, we would have no information at all. The authors said they also pulled information out of their family history to tell this story.

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/children-of-the-resitsnce.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5310" />

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/children-of-the-resistance2.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5309" />

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/children-of-the-resistance3.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5308" />

Engaging story, and I look forward to further volumes.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

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What a great graphic novel! Based on real French children who saw the injustice of World War II and decided to do something about it even when the adults around them failed to act. The story revolves around Francois, Eusebe and Lisa, three kids in a small village in France that has fallen to the Nazis. Francois and Eusebe take it upon themselves to perform little acts of defiance: stealing a printing kit from their school to create their own anti-Naxi tracts, and sabotaging a lock to flood out the local river, while trying to help Lisa find the family she lost in the invasion.

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Children of the Resistance was such an interesting graphic novel. It gives an accessible insight into World War Two resistance in France, particularly the resistance from children. It is rather simple but it effectively conveys ideas and attitudes surrounding the invasion of France. I would recommend it to someone that wanted to know more about the topic and especially a younger audience, I think it would be good to classify it as young adult.

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This is a fictional graphic novel is based on true stories about young people who resisted the Nazi's.

Set in France the story follows two young boys who carry out acts of rebellion against the Nazi occupiers.They secretly produce anti-Nazi leaflets which they post in the doors of their neighbours. The two boys also deface Nazi propaganda posters and their largest act of resistance is to damage the local lock so that barges are unable to pass through. The war has forced them to grow up too quickly but they grow up with a sense of pride, courage and cunning.

This is an enjoyable story with great artwork and a dialogue which conveys the story at the right pace. This is book one in the series and of to a great start.

Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

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I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I became bored and the artwork didn't keep me interested unfortunately.

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I thought, from the cover, and the initial map of WW2 France, that this would be a naff, Tintin and Friends Defeat the Nazis book. But it's a lot better. Two kids in a French village have different opinions to the occupation. That pot is stirred further by a Belgian girl (with suspiciously Hitler Youth-styled hair) being abandoned in their village – as cute as she is, however, they're more of a mind to actively counter the Nazi war effort, with propaganda of their own – and even a bit of sabotage. I think this book really worked – it's not exactly deep, but it's an all-ages-friendly look at children trying to make sense of the Vichy Government's capitulation, and actively engage with their imagination where it comes to fighting back. So no, the threat levels are close to zero, and yes it looks a little too bright, sunny and quaint, but it's not a bad read. There is certainly scope for the pre-pubescent heroes and heroine to get into real trouble in the rest of the series – which is up to five volumes so far in the original language editions. I'd be on board for more.

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There's one truth about <i>Children of the Resistance</i> by Dugomier and illustrated by Ers that really gets me and it's how much the story really grabs you. There's so much emotion to it all and the reality of it has the ability to break your heart. The truth of the matter is that WWII--the leading up to it, the end, and everything in between--affected so many people. And while I personally do sometimes feel as though I see an overabundance of literature surrounding this subject sometimes, I can definitely say that there's a lot of merit in reading about this subject. In the case of <i>Children of the Resistance</i>, learning more about the ways in which this war affected children, honing in on those in France and Polland, was incredible.

It's funny to turn to how children think in times like this, fascinating in its own right. It's also somewhat devastating. For so many young people to go through something like this, to experience all of the awful that comes alongside truly damaging people making decisions for countries and the world. <i>Children of the Resistance</i> follows three young kids in France as they navigate the changing world around them. Greman soldiers have invaded the country, sending countless fleeing and many more dead. And, as children, these three work to do the best they can in fighting back against the horrible invaders they now have to contend with.

Based on a number of real accounts from children who lived through these appalling and dangerous times, the graphic novel does an amazing and impressive job of portraying what it was like for many of the kids living in France at that time and for those fleeing the German soldiers and the war. The children take part in what little acts of resistance they are able, their innocence showing periodically throughout their defiance. And it's amazing to see how resilient children can be in the dark and dangerous times they are unfortunately sometimes forced to live through.

I would definitely recommend this as a read for many others. It's a great way to add to your knowledge of this shameful part of our world's history and as it teaches you, you're also left with a hope that there will always be good in the world in spite of the evil. I also see this graphic novel as a great way to get those who are younger interested in learning more about these events. The artwork is engaging, the children are relatable, and it's all done quite tastefully. And I can say, unquestionably, that I'm a better person for reading it.

<i>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

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"Children of the Resistance" is a beautiful graphic novel. There is some great artwork and the story is very well written and interesting.

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Amazing!!
I want to learn more about the children of the resistance. I need more books!!
It is amazing how the kids were so courageous.!

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I'm a big historical fiction fan and having just finished reading a story about resistance fighters in France during the Nazi occupation, I was very keen to pick up this graphic novel! This was an interesting graphic novel that I was hoping to love but it fell a bit short for me. I understand that this is only the first volume, but I wasn't very taken with the storyline and felt that the maturity of the children was a bit too unrealistic? I understand that war matures children much faster than normal, but I also found the main character Francois was more of an adult in his behaviour and thoughts than the other adults in the book. Also, I don't know if it's just me but two children seemingly "instigating" the resistance movement in a small French town does not seem believable to me, and I felt that took away from my enjoyment of the story.

That said, I appreciated the historical facts and accuracy of the story, and I loved reading the additional bonus content at the end of the comic. As I'm assuming the comic is targeted specifically towards children, the art work is very "clean" in the sense that there's no blood or gore in any of the scenes, even those depicting the carnage that the Germans were wreaking all over France. I'm personally not the biggest fan of the drawing style, but it does lend an air of 'oldness' which is fitting to the story, and I can see how much work went into it too.

Although I thought this first volume was just okay, I think I'd still read the second volume to see how the story progresses!

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