The Hiding Place (Graphic Novel)
Summary
Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place has a new, graphic novel adaptation for kids by Mario DeMatteo and Ismael Castro. Taken from the original book — with help from one of the three authors of the initial biography — this graphic novel strikes the perfect balance of kid-friendly without softening the overall history of what happened or the core message of hope, love, and forgiveness.
Assessment
This graphic novel of Corre Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place is an excellent and respectful adaptation of the original, suitable for its intended age range. The artwork is approachable, high-quality, and delightful as it depicts Corrie’s initial, prewar life in the Netherlands, her time striving against the Nazi invasion as part of the Dutch Resistance, her time in various Nazi prison camps, where she and her sister spread the gospel with a burning passion, and, lastly, in the house she founded after the war for healing and forgiveness.
The graphic novel was also developed with the help of Elizabeth Sherrill, who was one of the original authors of The Hiding Place, along with her husband John Sherrill, and, of course, Corrie. Having one of the three, core people in charge of the initial biography adds credence and an extra level of confidence to this adaptation.
Light-o-Meter
Artwork: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Writing: 7 out of 7 Little Lights
Age-Appropriateness: 7 out of 7 Little Lights
Theological Message: 7 out of 7 Little Lights
Overall: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Talk
There is no easy way to tell any story about Nazi Germany, especially to children. From the horrors of the war itself to the horrific injustice and treatment that faced the Jewish community, it is a key part of Western history, but it is also dark, terrible, violent, and depraved. How do you introduce children to this chapter of vile history without overwhelming them? How do you break it down to them so that they can comprehend, without being completely traumatized?
This graphic novel is answers all of these questions with a resounding “this is how you do it”. Corrie’s story is one of both complete despair and supernatural, Godly hope, which this adaptation brings across beautifully. I particularly liked how the story was formatted from a larger perspective; it touched on a lot of the more difficult subjects involved, but it did not delve into them so deeply that I think it would be traumatizing for children.
The artwork in this graphic novel is absolutely perfect. It is friendly and expressive, but not too cartoony or laissez-faire about the more somber topics it is covering. It also strikes an excellent balance between the horrors of what was going on as well as the joys and hope Corrie found, even in the midst of all the trauma. All in all, the graphic novel is, in my opinion, perfectly suited for its intended audience (kids aged 8-12).
Wrap-up
The graphic novel adaptation of Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place by Mario DeMatteo and Ismael Castro is a spectacular read. Expertly designed to bring the horrors and surprising, God-filled moments of living under the cruel thumb of the Nazis down to a kid-friendly level, this graphic novel is a must have for any library, history or Sunday school class.
Where to Enjoy
Barnes & Noble: The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel by Corrie ten Boom, Elizabeth Sherrill, John Sherrill, Ismael Castro, Hardcover
Beartruth Books: The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel – Beartruth Collective
Christianbook.com: The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel: Corrie ten Boom with Elizabeth & John Sherrill: 9780800762544
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