back of Book:
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.
My Review:
I received a copy of this picture book from Page Street Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Once in a while, I find a picture book that completely opens my eyes to a certain part of history. Hector is a tragic and beautiful tribute to the lives that were lost during the student march in Soweto. The story follows three separate individuals Hector, Antoinette, and Sam. Hector, a young boy who loves school, soccer, and his family. Antoinette, who is passionate about standing up for what she believed in, and Sam, the photographer who captured it all. I love the difference in each perspective. It brings a different layer of depth to the story. The narrative is broken up in chunks similar to a comic strip. It allows readers to focus on the details in the text.
The illustrations are soft and all done in earthy tones. This allows readers to completely focus on the story. The photo in the back of the book is haunting and allows readers to see the innocent blood that is spilled over war. This story beautifully teaches readers about the importance of standing up for what you believe in. I believe this is the type of book that inspires readers to go and fight for what they believe in.
Ages 8 and up
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