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History Comics
History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front
Turn back the clock with History Comics! In this volume, learn how millions of Americans joined the fight by working assembly lines, growing vegetables, and collecting scrap metal during World War II!
When we think of war, we often focus on the battlefields. But during the war years of 1941 to 1945, Americans at home did whatever they could to support the troops and defeat the Nazis. While millions of soldiers ship out to fight on battlefronts in Europe and the Pacific, millions of men, women, and children step into new and exciting roles in cities and towns all across the United States. Four curious kids take us into factories, farms, and even kitchens to show what the fight on the home front looks like up close!
When we think of war, we often focus on the battlefields. But during the war years of 1941 to 1945, Americans at home did whatever they could to support the troops and defeat the Nazis. While millions of soldiers ship out to fight on battlefronts in Europe and the Pacific, millions of men, women, and children step into new and exciting roles in cities and towns all across the United States. Four curious kids take us into factories, farms, and even kitchens to show what the fight on the home front looks like up close!
128 pages, Hardcover
Published October 31, 2023
3 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 13, 2024
Excellent! Very thorough explanation of WW2 and the changes in our world because of it and during the war. I study WW2 and even I learned a few things. The Zoot Suit Riots and V-mail.
This book was assigned to Evelyn (12) for her homeschool.
This book was assigned to Evelyn (12) for her homeschool.
May 14, 2024
A good survey of the sacrifices, struggles, and, yes, recreation happening in the United States as its soldiers fought abroad against the Axis powers of World War II.
It's a bit breezy and shallow but manages to touch on issues, advances, and/or setbacks for women, Black Americans, Latinos and Latinas, Japanese Americans, and persons with disabilities. Time is also given to patriotism, propaganda, volunteerism, and the fields of sports and entertainment.
Kids today may be able to draw some parallels to life during the COVID-19 pandemic
It's a bit breezy and shallow but manages to touch on issues, advances, and/or setbacks for women, Black Americans, Latinos and Latinas, Japanese Americans, and persons with disabilities. Time is also given to patriotism, propaganda, volunteerism, and the fields of sports and entertainment.
Kids today may be able to draw some parallels to life during the COVID-19 pandemic
March 5, 2024
Although oriented to kids and with little narrative thrust, this History Comics entry is nevertheless a fascinating read. There's a lot here that I didn't know about, particularly the dramatic changes in a society where most of the white men are off to war. So, there's a lot of room for women, people of color, and even children to step up.
March 9, 2023
The History Comics series is really popular in the library where I work, and this will be a good addition to our collection. I thought the focus on "the homefront" and showing what everyday Americans - including kids - were doing to support the war effort was interesting and made the material approachable for kids. I also really appreciated the way it didn't gloss over the sexism and racism many people experienced even as they were working and dying to support America both at home and in the armed services. This book will be a good jumping off point for deeper conversations.
* thanks to First Second for the NetGalley review copy. History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front publishes October 31, 2021.
* thanks to First Second for the NetGalley review copy. History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front publishes October 31, 2021.
January 17, 2023
This book includes so many things about World War II that I did not know, and it does it in an easy to understand format. #NetGalley
December 7, 2023
I’m honestly tired of superhero comics (like most people these days), but I still love the medium of sequential art and graphic novels. As a result, I’m routinely on the lookout for other types of comic books to read. After visiting a couple of museums that had them in their gift shops, I’ve really come to love comics based on historical events because they educate as well as showcase gorgeous artwork and superb writing. You don’t see too many comics out there like History Comics – World War II – Fight on the Home Front, a book designed to teach youngsters about historical events in a fun and engaging way. It seems like most big comic publishers ignore the kid’s market entirely, catering to guys willing to buy ten covers of the same book, ignoring what could potentially be an entirely new fan base. As a result, I commend anyone releasing books like this. This is a single volume in a whole series of books released by a couple of different companies, with this particular one being published by First Second Books, a New York-based imprint of Macmillan Books that specializes in graphic novels.
This comic, above all else, attempts to showcase and highlight the multiple stories of how normal ordinary people handled the struggles and adversity brought on by the second World War. It delves into the lesser-known tales that often get overshadowed by the grandeur of major battles and well-documented events. In the forward of this comic, one such example is shared, involving two young Nebraska girls who, against all odds, single-handedly initiated a scrap metal drive in their neighborhood. Their determination and resourcefulness not only helped contribute significantly to the war effort but also earned them the status of local heroes. It is through stories like these that the true essence of war is revealed – the resilience, creativity, and inner strength of everyday individuals who rose to the occasion and made a difference.
While historians tend to focus on the big grandiose battles, often covering them extensively, it is these lesser-known stories that offer a fresh perspective on the human experience during times of conflict. In my opinion, the fascination with well-known historical events can overshadow the significance of the smaller, yet equally impactful, stories that deserve attention. This comic, with its focus on the “off the beaten path” narratives, provides a refreshing alternative for readers who seek a deeper understanding of history beyond the mainstream accounts.
These tales hold a unique charm and serve as a reminder that the impact of war is not limited to the tactical strategies or the number of casualties. Instead, it is the collective efforts of countless individuals, like the two young Nebraska girls, that shape the narrative and highlight the resilience of the human spirit. This book takes those ideas, of how normal citizens made a difference during wartime and really runs with it, showing all sides of the Homefront during the war.
This comic has a framing narrative involving a group of children pretty much explaining to the audience how America entered the war during World War II. There’s a brief rundown about Pearl Harbor, Hitler declaring war on America, the American draft being initialized, and the sort of training that GIs got. After this, the book shifts to the home front describing staggering changes that happened in the United States during the war, including women entering the workforce, a teacher shortage, young boys dropping out of school to get jobs, lying about their age to join the military, and other drastic societal issues of the time. The book goes into things like victory gardens, scrap drives, war bonds, rationing and other interesting topics.
Despite being geared towards kids and seeming a bit patriotic, this book does not hold back on offering warranted criticism of how the United States handled certain sensitive topics during wartime. Namely, our country’s enduring tendency towards racism in all its various flavors. Not only did Black Americans suffer the hardships of being excluded from getting worthwhile work during this time, but most were nearly excluded from actually being able to fight in the war.
It was not until very late into the war that the government relented and allowed things like Black fighter pilots to be a thing in the US. This book sheds light on the struggles and discrimination faced by Black Americans in their pursuit of equality and recognition as valuable contributors to the war effort. The book also covers the topic of Japanese internment camps, which was quite surprising for a children’s book. Often, there is a tendency to omit or whitewash the “bad stuff” from American history when targeting young readers. However, it is refreshing to see this book take a different approach. By including the discussion of Japanese internment camps, it gives children an opportunity to learn about an unfortunate and dark chapter of American history, fostering empathy and understanding.
What sets this book apart from others is its ability to address these sensitive topics without being ham-fisted or confrontational. It remains reserved in its approach, offering an age-appropriate introduction to the complexities of racism and discrimination. This not only educates young readers, but also allows for meaningful conversations about these important and often overlooked aspects of history. In an era where critical thinking and cultural awareness are essential (and sadly being censored by bad-faith politicians), books like these play a vital role in shaping the perspectives and values of young minds. By tackling uncomfortable truths within the context of a children’s book, it encourages readers to question the status quo and instills a sense of social responsibility.
Even though I am not the target audience for History Comics – World War II – Fight on the Home Front, I found it well-written and interesting. This would be a great book for a child to read in school when they inevitably slam headfirst into the topic of World War II, as topics like what is featured in the book are rarely discussed until higher education levels. The art is pretty good, and somewhat resembles something between an Archie Comic and Steven Universe to a degree. Overall this was a great read, and I highly recommend it.
I was given the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review, thank you to First Second Books for the opportunity.
This comic, above all else, attempts to showcase and highlight the multiple stories of how normal ordinary people handled the struggles and adversity brought on by the second World War. It delves into the lesser-known tales that often get overshadowed by the grandeur of major battles and well-documented events. In the forward of this comic, one such example is shared, involving two young Nebraska girls who, against all odds, single-handedly initiated a scrap metal drive in their neighborhood. Their determination and resourcefulness not only helped contribute significantly to the war effort but also earned them the status of local heroes. It is through stories like these that the true essence of war is revealed – the resilience, creativity, and inner strength of everyday individuals who rose to the occasion and made a difference.
While historians tend to focus on the big grandiose battles, often covering them extensively, it is these lesser-known stories that offer a fresh perspective on the human experience during times of conflict. In my opinion, the fascination with well-known historical events can overshadow the significance of the smaller, yet equally impactful, stories that deserve attention. This comic, with its focus on the “off the beaten path” narratives, provides a refreshing alternative for readers who seek a deeper understanding of history beyond the mainstream accounts.
These tales hold a unique charm and serve as a reminder that the impact of war is not limited to the tactical strategies or the number of casualties. Instead, it is the collective efforts of countless individuals, like the two young Nebraska girls, that shape the narrative and highlight the resilience of the human spirit. This book takes those ideas, of how normal citizens made a difference during wartime and really runs with it, showing all sides of the Homefront during the war.
This comic has a framing narrative involving a group of children pretty much explaining to the audience how America entered the war during World War II. There’s a brief rundown about Pearl Harbor, Hitler declaring war on America, the American draft being initialized, and the sort of training that GIs got. After this, the book shifts to the home front describing staggering changes that happened in the United States during the war, including women entering the workforce, a teacher shortage, young boys dropping out of school to get jobs, lying about their age to join the military, and other drastic societal issues of the time. The book goes into things like victory gardens, scrap drives, war bonds, rationing and other interesting topics.
Despite being geared towards kids and seeming a bit patriotic, this book does not hold back on offering warranted criticism of how the United States handled certain sensitive topics during wartime. Namely, our country’s enduring tendency towards racism in all its various flavors. Not only did Black Americans suffer the hardships of being excluded from getting worthwhile work during this time, but most were nearly excluded from actually being able to fight in the war.
It was not until very late into the war that the government relented and allowed things like Black fighter pilots to be a thing in the US. This book sheds light on the struggles and discrimination faced by Black Americans in their pursuit of equality and recognition as valuable contributors to the war effort. The book also covers the topic of Japanese internment camps, which was quite surprising for a children’s book. Often, there is a tendency to omit or whitewash the “bad stuff” from American history when targeting young readers. However, it is refreshing to see this book take a different approach. By including the discussion of Japanese internment camps, it gives children an opportunity to learn about an unfortunate and dark chapter of American history, fostering empathy and understanding.
What sets this book apart from others is its ability to address these sensitive topics without being ham-fisted or confrontational. It remains reserved in its approach, offering an age-appropriate introduction to the complexities of racism and discrimination. This not only educates young readers, but also allows for meaningful conversations about these important and often overlooked aspects of history. In an era where critical thinking and cultural awareness are essential (and sadly being censored by bad-faith politicians), books like these play a vital role in shaping the perspectives and values of young minds. By tackling uncomfortable truths within the context of a children’s book, it encourages readers to question the status quo and instills a sense of social responsibility.
Even though I am not the target audience for History Comics – World War II – Fight on the Home Front, I found it well-written and interesting. This would be a great book for a child to read in school when they inevitably slam headfirst into the topic of World War II, as topics like what is featured in the book are rarely discussed until higher education levels. The art is pretty good, and somewhat resembles something between an Archie Comic and Steven Universe to a degree. Overall this was a great read, and I highly recommend it.
I was given the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review, thank you to First Second Books for the opportunity.
September 5, 2023
As a retired elementary teacher, I find this book well researched and it provides a wonderful introduction of World War 2 to middle grade students. There is a note at the beginning of the book that points out that this story about the War focuses on the everyday heroes, the ones that saved rubber or metal, the ones that walked, the ones that planted victory gardens, etc. and not the major historical figures such as Roosevelt.
The book begins with middle grade age children learning to deal with all the changes coming along now that the United States was involved in the War after Pearl Harbor. It proceeds to share simple details of men joining the armed forces, children and women joining the workforce, and families adjusting to a new normal. Women also joined the armed forces in various roles, but I especially like that the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was included. This was the only Black WAC unit deployed during the War. The author does not shy away from the discrimination that Black men and women faced during this time and shares the facts of what happened to help them at the time in a neutral manner. Besides the extraordinary war product production, entertainment options where shared from Negro League baseball and All-American Girls Professional Baseball to movie and radio productions to big bands and dancing. The book does talk about more challenging topics such as the blackouts on both coasts, the Japanese internment camps, Jewish concentration camps, and family grief of a loved one not coming home. I think these pages were well done and could lead to great conversations between the child and families or even in a classroom. The book wraps up with Truman taking over the presidency and the bombs that were dropped on Japan. There are a few pages to explain how life changed moving in the 1950s from air conditioning, automobile production, and penicillin. The first and last pages focus on ice cream and how the kids during the war couldn't have any and by the end of the 1950s so much was available to all-I liked those books ends that children can relate to. The last page contains lots of books and websites to learn more about World War 2.
As someone who reads history and historical fiction often, I found this graphic novel did a great job giving a thorough overview of the War to introduce young readers to such a complex world event. There was nothing too graphic and it focused on facts and numbers to help ground the reader to the story. I thought it balanced positive things people did during the war with those events that showed the opposite in a way that middle grade readers could begin to grasp this period in time. If you have students, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other kids of this age range, I recommend getting and sharing this book.
Thank you First Second Books and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
The book begins with middle grade age children learning to deal with all the changes coming along now that the United States was involved in the War after Pearl Harbor. It proceeds to share simple details of men joining the armed forces, children and women joining the workforce, and families adjusting to a new normal. Women also joined the armed forces in various roles, but I especially like that the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was included. This was the only Black WAC unit deployed during the War. The author does not shy away from the discrimination that Black men and women faced during this time and shares the facts of what happened to help them at the time in a neutral manner. Besides the extraordinary war product production, entertainment options where shared from Negro League baseball and All-American Girls Professional Baseball to movie and radio productions to big bands and dancing. The book does talk about more challenging topics such as the blackouts on both coasts, the Japanese internment camps, Jewish concentration camps, and family grief of a loved one not coming home. I think these pages were well done and could lead to great conversations between the child and families or even in a classroom. The book wraps up with Truman taking over the presidency and the bombs that were dropped on Japan. There are a few pages to explain how life changed moving in the 1950s from air conditioning, automobile production, and penicillin. The first and last pages focus on ice cream and how the kids during the war couldn't have any and by the end of the 1950s so much was available to all-I liked those books ends that children can relate to. The last page contains lots of books and websites to learn more about World War 2.
As someone who reads history and historical fiction often, I found this graphic novel did a great job giving a thorough overview of the War to introduce young readers to such a complex world event. There was nothing too graphic and it focused on facts and numbers to help ground the reader to the story. I thought it balanced positive things people did during the war with those events that showed the opposite in a way that middle grade readers could begin to grasp this period in time. If you have students, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other kids of this age range, I recommend getting and sharing this book.
Thank you First Second Books and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
September 25, 2023
Explore the American home front during World War II in this children’s military history comic from Kate Hannigan. History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front brings middle grade and early teen readers through what life was like in America after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December, 1941.
Still reeling from The Great Depression, America is drawn into a global conflict caused by the Nazi oppression of European Jews and Hitler’s expansion into other territories. United States President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, shares his “Four Freedoms” speech that talks about freedoms people around the world deserve. At home, men sign up for military service after Pearl Harbor, the draft is instituted, and millions serve on the American home front in a variety of ways.
History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front is a superb, engaging way to teach history. A series of children share facts about World War II and how it impacted lives on the home front. From women entering the workforce in droves to support the war effort, children learning housekeeping skills to assist mothers in balancing work and family life, teachers leaving classrooms to find higher paying jobs, the planting of Victory Gardens, and the rationing of every day supplies, readers learn what dramatic changes took place in the lives of Americans at home and how those changes ushered in new ways of thinking about who we are as a society and the movements and laws that came about as a result. Tough topics, like the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and discrimination against Japanese Americans, African Americans, Latinos, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans were explored by the author. At the end of the book, Hannigan includes additional resources for readers to learn more.
As a lover of history, I enjoyed History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front. On the back cover in bold, red, uppercase letters, the author says, “WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER!” Readers will definitely see how men, women, and children across America pulled together to support the troops and defeat the Nazis. This book is a true celebration of how people of many different walks of life, a variety of cultures and beliefs, came together to make a difference.
Still reeling from The Great Depression, America is drawn into a global conflict caused by the Nazi oppression of European Jews and Hitler’s expansion into other territories. United States President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, shares his “Four Freedoms” speech that talks about freedoms people around the world deserve. At home, men sign up for military service after Pearl Harbor, the draft is instituted, and millions serve on the American home front in a variety of ways.
History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front is a superb, engaging way to teach history. A series of children share facts about World War II and how it impacted lives on the home front. From women entering the workforce in droves to support the war effort, children learning housekeeping skills to assist mothers in balancing work and family life, teachers leaving classrooms to find higher paying jobs, the planting of Victory Gardens, and the rationing of every day supplies, readers learn what dramatic changes took place in the lives of Americans at home and how those changes ushered in new ways of thinking about who we are as a society and the movements and laws that came about as a result. Tough topics, like the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and discrimination against Japanese Americans, African Americans, Latinos, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans were explored by the author. At the end of the book, Hannigan includes additional resources for readers to learn more.
As a lover of history, I enjoyed History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front. On the back cover in bold, red, uppercase letters, the author says, “WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER!” Readers will definitely see how men, women, and children across America pulled together to support the troops and defeat the Nazis. This book is a true celebration of how people of many different walks of life, a variety of cultures and beliefs, came together to make a difference.
November 19, 2023
The History Comics series was launched in 2008 by IDW Publishing. The goal of the series is to give kids
factual historical information in an engaging, visual format that appeals to comic book lovers. This particular comic book format uses humor, narrative, and character-driven stories to make history more interesting and
accessible.
In History Comics: World War II Fight on the Homefront, children get a look at what the men and women of the United States did to support the military during World War II. Starting with America’s reluctance to enter the war, everything changed after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Older teens began dropping out of school to work labor jobs or to join the military. Children put on patriotic plays and did small things to support the military like walking to school so tired could be saved.
When Japan cut off the rubber supplies, children donated their rubber toys to the cause. Married women and mothers went back to work, taking jobs in the factories and schools. The book does note that racism played a part in wages, noting that Black men and women were often paid less than their white counterparts.
History Comics: World War II Fight on the Homefront also doesn’t shy away from the tough aspects of living in the United States during World War II. Japanese Americans went to internment camps and described the horrors that the Jewish population experienced during the war.
History Comics: World War II Fight on the Homefront is a really well-done educational graphic novel about the challenges and triumphs that American citizens experienced in World War II. it’s appropriate for children who don’t know much about World War II but also gives some new information to children who have a basic understanding of this time period.
factual historical information in an engaging, visual format that appeals to comic book lovers. This particular comic book format uses humor, narrative, and character-driven stories to make history more interesting and
accessible.
In History Comics: World War II Fight on the Homefront, children get a look at what the men and women of the United States did to support the military during World War II. Starting with America’s reluctance to enter the war, everything changed after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Older teens began dropping out of school to work labor jobs or to join the military. Children put on patriotic plays and did small things to support the military like walking to school so tired could be saved.
When Japan cut off the rubber supplies, children donated their rubber toys to the cause. Married women and mothers went back to work, taking jobs in the factories and schools. The book does note that racism played a part in wages, noting that Black men and women were often paid less than their white counterparts.
History Comics: World War II Fight on the Homefront also doesn’t shy away from the tough aspects of living in the United States during World War II. Japanese Americans went to internment camps and described the horrors that the Jewish population experienced during the war.
History Comics: World War II Fight on the Homefront is a really well-done educational graphic novel about the challenges and triumphs that American citizens experienced in World War II. it’s appropriate for children who don’t know much about World War II but also gives some new information to children who have a basic understanding of this time period.
July 26, 2023
* Thank you to NetGalley and First Second for a digital ARC in return for an honest review. To be published October 31, 2023.
Graphic novels are an amazing way to present information to middle grade students. The History Comics does a great job in doing that and I was highly impressed by the amount of information that Kate Hannigan managed to get into this edition while still making it easily digestible for young readers.
The focus of this title was how WWII impacted America on the home front. Therefore, it was less about the war and more about how Americans dealt with the war, which I personally find fascinating. There were a number of topics touched upon which could encourage a student to delve deeper if they wanted to. Hannigan also mentioned topics that historically many have wanted to brush aside. She focused on the role of women on the Homefront, showing how they went to work when the men went to war, but also included the fact that women were paid less than men had been and that Black women were paid even less, if they were hired, that is. WWII brought about a large rise in patriotism, but it was also a time where Blacks, Japanese, and Mexican Americans were highly discriminated against. Not to focus on negatives, Hannigan also included how kids were involved in the war effort, the rise of paperback books and comics, of baseball and roller skating. The book ends with some way that the war itself changed America and the world.
This title will definitely be added to my school library.
Graphic novels are an amazing way to present information to middle grade students. The History Comics does a great job in doing that and I was highly impressed by the amount of information that Kate Hannigan managed to get into this edition while still making it easily digestible for young readers.
The focus of this title was how WWII impacted America on the home front. Therefore, it was less about the war and more about how Americans dealt with the war, which I personally find fascinating. There were a number of topics touched upon which could encourage a student to delve deeper if they wanted to. Hannigan also mentioned topics that historically many have wanted to brush aside. She focused on the role of women on the Homefront, showing how they went to work when the men went to war, but also included the fact that women were paid less than men had been and that Black women were paid even less, if they were hired, that is. WWII brought about a large rise in patriotism, but it was also a time where Blacks, Japanese, and Mexican Americans were highly discriminated against. Not to focus on negatives, Hannigan also included how kids were involved in the war effort, the rise of paperback books and comics, of baseball and roller skating. The book ends with some way that the war itself changed America and the world.
This title will definitely be added to my school library.
September 1, 2023
A great graphic novel resource that is pitched at a 8-12 year old demographic, teaching them about how America came to be involved in World War Two and the role ordinary people played in it. Focus on the contributions of ordinary people tells the story of war from a different point of view than we traditionally see, usually from the perspectives of world leaders or soldiers fighting.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are detail, with a vintage feel about them, which additionally set the scene for the time period and assisted in the immersion of the story. The language used in it is accessible for a young audience, without being patronising or overly kiddish. Events and responses are explained clearly and in detail, giving young people who would have very little, if any, background knowledge on the subject, a strong foundation to build upon.
This would be a fantastic resource for budding young historians, for families seeking to nurture or foster a love of history, or as an additional resource for history students who are reluctant readers, or struggle with reading. It is engaging, informative and accessible for a range of ages and abilities. However, it is a uniquely American point of view and international readers (especially school students) will likely not get the same level of value from it as young people in America.
Thanks to Netgalley and First Second Books for giving me the option to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are detail, with a vintage feel about them, which additionally set the scene for the time period and assisted in the immersion of the story. The language used in it is accessible for a young audience, without being patronising or overly kiddish. Events and responses are explained clearly and in detail, giving young people who would have very little, if any, background knowledge on the subject, a strong foundation to build upon.
This would be a fantastic resource for budding young historians, for families seeking to nurture or foster a love of history, or as an additional resource for history students who are reluctant readers, or struggle with reading. It is engaging, informative and accessible for a range of ages and abilities. However, it is a uniquely American point of view and international readers (especially school students) will likely not get the same level of value from it as young people in America.
Thanks to Netgalley and First Second Books for giving me the option to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
November 20, 2023This was my first History Comic to read. After, I checked out others in this series for comparison.
This is a comic that follows several kids as they show how WW2 affected Americans in America during that time. There’s no running plot per se. I’d say 8 and up could understand most of it. There are some words defined and other advanced vocabulary that is not defined.
The subtitle is spot on. It was a great idea to reduce the focus to WW 2 on the American home front, as that subject is so large It was inclusive of age, gender and race. Information was presented in a matter of fact manner, for the reader to come to their own conclusions, which I think children and adult readers both appreciate. The art was visually pleasant and effective in communicating, keeping interest and effective with the flow of the story/information.
I asked two 10 year olds to read and give their own judgement. Both liked it a lot and immediately asked for more History Comics! They both also asked questions while reading it and started discussions. These 10 year olds have read other historical and biographical graphic novels, both individual GN and series. The consensus is History Comics Series is top-notch!
I have zero suggestions for improvement and look forward to more History Comics!
Will post to Goodreads after publication date per preference of publisher.
This is a comic that follows several kids as they show how WW2 affected Americans in America during that time. There’s no running plot per se. I’d say 8 and up could understand most of it. There are some words defined and other advanced vocabulary that is not defined.
The subtitle is spot on. It was a great idea to reduce the focus to WW 2 on the American home front, as that subject is so large It was inclusive of age, gender and race. Information was presented in a matter of fact manner, for the reader to come to their own conclusions, which I think children and adult readers both appreciate. The art was visually pleasant and effective in communicating, keeping interest and effective with the flow of the story/information.
I asked two 10 year olds to read and give their own judgement. Both liked it a lot and immediately asked for more History Comics! They both also asked questions while reading it and started discussions. These 10 year olds have read other historical and biographical graphic novels, both individual GN and series. The consensus is History Comics Series is top-notch!
I have zero suggestions for improvement and look forward to more History Comics!
Will post to Goodreads after publication date per preference of publisher.
July 13, 2023
E ARC provided by Netgalley
I usually say that homefront stories are not what my WWII obsessed readers want, but this was perfect. It's not a story, but rather a LOT of facts about all manner of things that went on stateside during the war. There are some things that young readers might know about, like Rosie the Riveter, but lots of others they might not, like the rationing of shoe leather and rubber (even I didn't know about rubber combs!) or the fact that women who left teaching when they were married were called back in to make up for the shortage of teachers (although I woman I knew who did this indicated that it was to replace male teachers, not teachers who left for other careers). The artwork is colorful and engaging, and there's just so much information! There's plenty of diversity represented, with the challenges faced by Black workers and soldiers, the Japanese internment, and even the Zoot Suit riots that affected the Latine community. Hannigan has some great historical fiction, like The Detective's Assistant and The League of Super Heroes series, so it's not surprising that she had a lot of miscellaneous and fascinating facts lying about! Definitely purchasing!
I usually say that homefront stories are not what my WWII obsessed readers want, but this was perfect. It's not a story, but rather a LOT of facts about all manner of things that went on stateside during the war. There are some things that young readers might know about, like Rosie the Riveter, but lots of others they might not, like the rationing of shoe leather and rubber (even I didn't know about rubber combs!) or the fact that women who left teaching when they were married were called back in to make up for the shortage of teachers (although I woman I knew who did this indicated that it was to replace male teachers, not teachers who left for other careers). The artwork is colorful and engaging, and there's just so much information! There's plenty of diversity represented, with the challenges faced by Black workers and soldiers, the Japanese internment, and even the Zoot Suit riots that affected the Latine community. Hannigan has some great historical fiction, like The Detective's Assistant and The League of Super Heroes series, so it's not surprising that she had a lot of miscellaneous and fascinating facts lying about! Definitely purchasing!
September 7, 2023
History Comics: World War II by Kate Hannigan
I have read many WW2 books in various styles, including historical fiction based on true story, diary, textbook style…but this book was in a comic way! Easy, short but informative and covered the home-front stories which was intriguing.
This book mainly focused on the WW2 from the American perspective. It started with few kids playing in the playground during the wartime in America, things were changing with explanation of the situation through their conversation. These all made it easy to read and understand.
It then talked about lives were changing there, how schools were changed to adapt the wartime, women had chances to work due to men were in the front line, war bonds, wartime production, ration book, metal scraps for building weapons, hiring black people and so on….it showed how Americans did to support the troops to defeat the Nazis. Every power counts.
The drawing, the conversation bubble and the unostentatious wordings which made me addicted and enjoyed the book enormously.
Many thanks to NetGalley, First Second Books and Kate Hannigan for the fabulous book.
Pub date: Oct 31, 2023
September 18, 2023
I expected that I would enjoy this comic book. After all, my parents lived through World War II. My mother had to pass Nazi soldiers on the street corners as she walk to school, and my grandfather had to disappear in the Italian underground or be forced to fight for the Axis.
My family stories, combined with a masters degree in American history, meant that I thought this would be a nice little comic book that I would enjoy. I didn’t expect to really learn anything new.
Boy was I surprised. While I may have known a lot about life in Italy, during the war, I know very little about life in America during the war. The big issues like Japanese internment, Hitler’s suicide, and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were already well known to me. I knew about war bonds, women’s war efforts, scrap drives, and rationing, but there was so much else I did not know.
this is an excellent comic book, fun, and easy to read, and enjoyable even for a Gen-X teacher! I highly recommend it and plan to add some to my classroom library.
Fabulous!
My family stories, combined with a masters degree in American history, meant that I thought this would be a nice little comic book that I would enjoy. I didn’t expect to really learn anything new.
Boy was I surprised. While I may have known a lot about life in Italy, during the war, I know very little about life in America during the war. The big issues like Japanese internment, Hitler’s suicide, and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were already well known to me. I knew about war bonds, women’s war efforts, scrap drives, and rationing, but there was so much else I did not know.
this is an excellent comic book, fun, and easy to read, and enjoyable even for a Gen-X teacher! I highly recommend it and plan to add some to my classroom library.
Fabulous!
December 20, 2023
Book 171 of 200 ~ 2023
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@01firstsecond and their authors don't do things half-assed for sure. This is why almost every single one of their offerings are amazing, whether they are memoirs or when they share about major world events.
Many moments, I had to pause and reflect as well as discuss with Jerrid, especially since we have binge-watched documentaries as well as true life retellings about WW1 and WW2.
This is an amazing read for everyone. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book171of200 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram
#reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2023 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@01firstsecond and their authors don't do things half-assed for sure. This is why almost every single one of their offerings are amazing, whether they are memoirs or when they share about major world events.
Many moments, I had to pause and reflect as well as discuss with Jerrid, especially since we have binge-watched documentaries as well as true life retellings about WW1 and WW2.
This is an amazing read for everyone. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book171of200 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram
#reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2023 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
November 3, 2023
I’m fairly new to the graphic novel world, but so far, I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen. Case in point: This book. Before I came across this book, I never really stopped to consider what it may have been like for Americans “holding down the fort”, so to speak, during World War II. Oh, yes, I’d thought about aspects of it, of course—but I never had a clear picture of how families coped with fathers and sons gone, or how people were forced to change their jobs because of shortages in the workplace. I found this book a fast, gripping read, and I greatly enjoyed the illustrations. This is a good overview of America’s involvement in the war, and I came away feeling like I learned a lot from it. I’m looking forward to sharing this with my siblings—I think they’d find it interesting and educational.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
September 10, 2024
An informational graphic novel about what life was like for people in the United States once the US entered WWII. It looks at rationing, how everyday people helped the war effort, the different jobs that opened up to women during the time period, and how various ethnic groups were treated during the time period.
This was easily readable, attractively illustrated, and well-balanced in looking at both the good and the bad of life in the US during WWII. It was kept at a level very approachable even for the lower end of middle grade readers.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Fighting and deaths in the war are touched on briefly, nothing is shown.
Ethnic diversity: A mixture of whites, Blacks, Latinx, and Japanese all highlighted.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Racial prejudice and injustices faced by Blacks, Latinx, and Japanese all included.
This was easily readable, attractively illustrated, and well-balanced in looking at both the good and the bad of life in the US during WWII. It was kept at a level very approachable even for the lower end of middle grade readers.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Fighting and deaths in the war are touched on briefly, nothing is shown.
Ethnic diversity: A mixture of whites, Blacks, Latinx, and Japanese all highlighted.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Racial prejudice and injustices faced by Blacks, Latinx, and Japanese all included.
September 29, 2023
This was my first graphic novel, and I think I'm hooked now! As an adult I was easily able to read this in one sitting and really enjoyed the combination of illustrations and facts about World War II. The illustrations made it very engaging, and I learned a lot about the war effort from the United States perspective.
Here are some fun facts that I learned:
- Women have WWII to thank for normalizing trousers for women
- The navy commissed an ice cream barge to deliver ice cream to ships at sea
- Tires, gas, and sugar were rationed during the war
- FDR died during WWII
- Each person listened to an average for 4 hours of radio programming per day during the war
- Victory letters were printed on microfilm to deliver letters to families more quickly
Overall this was a great book. I'll definetly be recommending it to kids in my circle.
Here are some fun facts that I learned:
- Women have WWII to thank for normalizing trousers for women
- The navy commissed an ice cream barge to deliver ice cream to ships at sea
- Tires, gas, and sugar were rationed during the war
- FDR died during WWII
- Each person listened to an average for 4 hours of radio programming per day during the war
- Victory letters were printed on microfilm to deliver letters to families more quickly
Overall this was a great book. I'll definetly be recommending it to kids in my circle.
November 6, 2023
Kate Hannigan https://www.katehannigan.com/ is the author of more than a dozen graphic novels. Josh Rosen is her illustrator for this novel. History Comics: World War II: Fight on the Home Front was published in 2023. It is the 82nd book I completed reading in 2023.
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book as G.
This graphic novel targets Middle School students and depicts the trials, tribulations, and some of the social injustice experienced during WWII. The book focuses on how children experienced the era and contributed to the war effort.
I enjoyed the hour I spent reading this 128-page graphic novel. It is a simple, though thorough look at the US Homefront during WWII. It is a good introduction to the WWII period for students. I like the chosen cover art. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book as G.
This graphic novel targets Middle School students and depicts the trials, tribulations, and some of the social injustice experienced during WWII. The book focuses on how children experienced the era and contributed to the war effort.
I enjoyed the hour I spent reading this 128-page graphic novel. It is a simple, though thorough look at the US Homefront during WWII. It is a good introduction to the WWII period for students. I like the chosen cover art. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
December 20, 2023
This graphic novel is filled with short stories from WWII about people usually overlooked by history. I loved that all the short stories create a bigger picture of what happened during WWII in America. This graphic novel focuses on American soil and what everyday people did to support the war effort: growing vegetables in a victory garden, going door to door to collect scrap metal, women working in factories, city kids helping in the fields with the farms.
I feel like I learned so much from this graphic novel. I plan to use it in my classroom for WWII research projects.
It's rare to find a nonfiction graphic novel, but even rarer to find a nonfiction graphic novel filled with short stories.
I feel like I learned so much from this graphic novel. I plan to use it in my classroom for WWII research projects.
It's rare to find a nonfiction graphic novel, but even rarer to find a nonfiction graphic novel filled with short stories.
September 3, 2023
To be honest, before I became a school librarian I kind of turned my nose up at graphic novels, but I have since learned their value.
I think that this was an amazing way to teach kids about World War II and how it affected America. The author did a great job of showing not only many the positive changes that were brought upon by the war that so many of us know about, but also the negative aspects, such as the continued discrimination against blacks, the pay inequality with women and non-whites, the Japanese-American internment camps, the zoot suit riots, and how many Americans didn't believe that the holocaust was real. There were also a few fun additions such as a recipe for SPAM loaf and how to do the jitter-bug.
The last portion of the book, with a quick run-down of how things changed post-war was really informative, too. Overall a great source of knowledge for kids.
I think that this was an amazing way to teach kids about World War II and how it affected America. The author did a great job of showing not only many the positive changes that were brought upon by the war that so many of us know about, but also the negative aspects, such as the continued discrimination against blacks, the pay inequality with women and non-whites, the Japanese-American internment camps, the zoot suit riots, and how many Americans didn't believe that the holocaust was real. There were also a few fun additions such as a recipe for SPAM loaf and how to do the jitter-bug.
The last portion of the book, with a quick run-down of how things changed post-war was really informative, too. Overall a great source of knowledge for kids.
November 20, 2023
This is the best of the History Comics that I've read! Interesting information that is inclusive of the many cultures and communities that make up the United States. This book focuses on the "home front" - the people in America during the war, who grew victory gardens, collected scrap metal, and worked in factories. It also tells of the Japanese who were unfairly incarcerated during the war, even if they were U.S. citizens. Kate Hannigan has done her research, but this is much more than an info dump - it was interesting and kept me riveted to the end, and I have read many books about WWII.
What a great nonfiction book for kids who want to know more about what this time period was like for those who weren't on the battlefields.
What a great nonfiction book for kids who want to know more about what this time period was like for those who weren't on the battlefields.
December 21, 2023
I've read a lot of books and watched many documentaries and films about WWII. I loved being able to read and teach my kids about the subject in a way that they would pay attention to and enjoy. This graphic novel series was more about the lives of the people back at home during the war, whose stories are often overlooked but yet still very important. This was my first read in the History Comics series but it will not be my last. I think this would be perfect for early readers and/or for the classroom.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books, First Second for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books, First Second for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
March 4, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy! This book gave a nice overview of America on the home front of WWII- it covered a wide variety of topics ranging from Victory Gardens to Japanese internment to women’s roles to the Zoot Suit Riots. It also covered some of the major impacts of the war on the post-WWII nation without going into a lot of detail. The book covers a lot of material in a short span, but it’s a great introduction and overview for young people. I think it’ll spark interest in a variety of topics and would serve as a great review for students.
December 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! I liked how it explained the time period with no real political bias either way. It was factual but entertaining. The format of children saying what they saw and felt really made it a book children can relate to. With so many historical books out there for children, this one is definitely one I would recommend for a look at the realities of World War II.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the temporary digital ARC that I read and gave my honest opinion of.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the temporary digital ARC that I read and gave my honest opinion of.
September 3, 2025
There are plenty of WWII books that focus on the battlefield, but this one focuses on the home front and how normal civilians in the U.S. helped the war effort in their own way. Whether it was rationing or walking instead of using up gas and wearing down tires, senior citizens, women, and children alike did all they could to help the war.
We have a lot of WWII readers and this is a good book for our elementary students to read and see in graphic novel form, how war affects even the children at home.
We have a lot of WWII readers and this is a good book for our elementary students to read and see in graphic novel form, how war affects even the children at home.
September 18, 2025
I give this book 4 stars because have good story and have a good repretentation of how was tahe life of the normal persons in the second world war. I dont give it 5 stars because in some parts can be boring. the story are like mini stories like one thhat tells the kids recolet parts for tanks. Also have some reference like the creation of captain america, superman, batman and wonder woman. Also is abaout how tha womas work in factorice and have to take care of all his family. Also have a story of how they end the incrimination in armed force
February 23, 2023
This graphic and others in the series are definitely ones that I want to look at more of. I love how accessible it made WW2 home front and made it easy to understand. It also didn’t focus on the “big” people on the home front it looked the everyday person and how they were affected. The art was easy to follow. I definitely want to find others in this series and get them out to people.
April 9, 2023
There is a saying that the winners always write the history… it is great to see a story that shows the American history with its flaws in an accessible manner for today’s younger generation in a graphic format. I love this History Comics series for this reason.
***I received a free ARC of this e-book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***
***I received a free ARC of this e-book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***
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