Making Curriculum Pop

This graphic novel was written by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon.

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The story crosses a lot of time in just 115 pages. We see the demises of Prince Vlad's father and older brother at the hands of an enemy the white knight and where Vlad and his brother Radu are raised since they in a sense must go into hiding. They are raised by the Turks in the Muslim religion and both learn very different things while there. Radu finds being one with the world and accepting everyone for who there are, where Vlad learns the evils of society and becomes a great warrior. The reader also finds out that he is a womanizer, but also believed in being loyal to those that saved you. Vlad has very high dreams and wants to win back his throne. He asks the Turks to provide him with an army so that he may do so, and they (the Turks) can start earning a profit from the land agan. They agree and Vlad wins back his throne. However, he rules with an iron or shall we say bloody fist and anyone that he believes in not behind him 100 percent or does any thing illegal gets Impaled for all the see hence the name Vlad the Impaler. We also see his treatment of women, that he would rape and pillage and at times skin them alive for punishment. At the end he is beheaded by his brother at the request of the Turks who are no longer getting any money for Vlad despite their agreement. For more information definately check out this website that goes a lot deeper into his life and the horrible things he did. http://www.donlinke.com/drakula/vlad.htm



I do not think that this book really fits into the YA critera that we have learned, however I think bits and pieces of it could be used when studying history and the countrys during the time of Vlads rule in the 1400's. However, a teacher would really only be able to use bits and pieces of the text, because of the nudity and rape of woman that is shown. I really do not think that schools would approve of that being seen in classrooms.



I was really excited when I saw this book on the list of Graphic novels. I happen to be very captivated by the legend of Dracula and what of that character came from the actual Dracul that Vlad the Impaler was also known as. However, I was very let down by this book and felt that it did not devulge to greatly into the things he actually did, like when a woman would get pregnant out of wedlock he would kill her by burning her woman parts with a rod. Just the thinks he would do are disgusting, but the book barely touched on that stuff and make him out to be not as big of a tyrant as he really was. I like history a lot so know a lot about it and was just let down by what information was provided and what was let down. I personally did not need to know about his childhood, because that is not what he is known for. I wish I would have showed or expressed his career as ruler more than what it did.
Nikki,

I also liked the story of Dracula and would have been interested in Vlad the Impaler, I remember seeing this novel on the list and thinking it may be interesting to read. I am also a fan of historical novels so that aspect of the novel would have drew me in as well. Unfortunately, from your review it seems like this book would have been a let down for me too. I am surprised to hear about the violent rape and mutilation content - sounds horrific. I wonder why this book would be on a young adult list.

What do you think the main themes were in this book? You mention loyalty as one thing Vlad values. He also values violence too I guess...ha. I seem like there could be some type of life lesson in the characters of Radu and Vlad. Good and evil, right and wrong. In a comparison to the book I read, Yummy, the narrator could be like Radu and Yummy could be like Vlad. Two similar boys who took very different routes in life.
Well it seems at one point in his life Vlad values loyalty. A man saves his life and in return Vlad saves his life a few seconds later, but says this man will always be at his side. Later on Vlad ends up killing this man, because the man does not agree with the horrific things that are being done to people. He thinks its very excessive. There are definately lessons to be learned about the two characters, from the brief information we are provided with about Radu. He believes in accepting people for who they are, everyone and everything has the right to live. But he will also stand up and do whats right for the people and not just for himself, hence him beheading his brother. Vlad just does what is in his best interest.
This story seems like nothing that I would be eager to read. I like history just as you do and I think that I would only want to know what he did as a ruler. By what you write about it does not seem like he was a very good ruler. However, he was a great warrior. I think he was just so caught up into getting revenge and trying not to die as his father did. It seems like if his father died another way the story would have gone another way. For all we know he might have become more like his brother. It is said that he was so bad that his brother had to cut of his head. From what you wrote it doesnt seem like he killed him out of spite or jealousy but for deeper more noble reasons. Was that the case?
I definately think that was the case. People wanted him out because he killed and impaled so many people. It is crazy to think of the numbers. Granted he also stopped paying revenue to the people that helped him out.
I also was interested in reading this however, after reading your review am a bit glad I didn't. I'm also really surprised we would find a book with this much violence and extreme content on a list for young adults. It makes me a bit nervous thinking that some young adults may read this and glorify Vlad.
I definitely agree with you Adriana!! It is shocking that this book is on a young adult list when there is so much violence involved in the story. I feel like it is because of books like these that have so much violence that cause children to become violent themselves. It sets a terrible example and perhaps even shows them that it is OK to be violent in order to get your way/be in control. Even movies and television nowadays have become so incredibly violent that it sends out a horrible message. Kids seem to replicate what they see and follow what others do. If they read or see violence, there is a good chance that they will feel that it is normal to act like that. I did a report several years ago, and the statistics of children becoming violent after viewing violence were extremely high. If students are reading such violent acts in books, they may start acting violent themselves. I do not feel that a book like this then is appropriate to be on a young adult book list.
I really liked your post. I am sorry that you didn't like the book at all. When I saw the title, I was excited too. History is a big thing for me too, and I love Dracula as well. It's a shame that the book wasn't really all that good. Would you still want to teach any part of this book? It is interesting that the book was such a let down, because there are a lot of good things going for it. There could have been a good lesson in loyalty and persistance. Maybe you could teach this book as a how not to write a story?

Hopefully your next book will be a lot better. Good luck!

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