Starred Review Biographies of key figures from WWII are plentiful in kids books, but Hendrix's captivating account of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a standout. In engagingly written chapters on heavily illustrated pages with plentiful quotes from Bonhoeffer's writing, Hendrix covers the German theologian's childhood, early interest in religion and theology, illuminating travels in America, dismay over Hitler's rise to power, and brave dedication to resistance in a variety of ways, including direct action. Interspersed with paragraphs about Bonhoeffer's life and the circumstances in Germany that led to Hitler's regime are spot illustrations, splash-page artwork, comics panels, maps, and more, which help communicate not only the bare facts but also the emotional tenor of the story. Bonhoeffer's face is almost always filled with vivid expressions of wonder or worry, while shadowy, jagged images of Nazis goose-stepping, Hitler shouting, and huge wolves with slavering jaws illustrate the looming violence promised by the Third Reich. The combination of Hendrix's sharp, concise words and evocative artwork gives readers a strong sense of historical context, the enormity of the perilous actions undertaken by Bonhoeffer and other resistance fighters, and the revolutionary nature of his theology of action and civil disobedience. A poignant, compellingly presented, and timely account of a brave individual who lived his life with true conviction.

In this audacious graphic biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hendrix crafts a portrait of a man of faith grappling with the question of what it means to be an ethical and moral person.Hendrix is clear that this account is not a complete biography, noting his goal is "underlining the essential themes found in Dietrich's life." Pivotal moments from his subject's childhood through his execution are chronicled. Bonhoeffer's worldview is transformed when he goes to New York City in 1930 as a young white seminarian and befriends two classmates—an African-American and a white Frenchman—who help awaken him to systemic racial injustice, pacifism, and the necessity of keeping the church independent from the state. From his year in America, "Bonhoeffer's theology [is] transformed from thought into action, the creation of something he called ‘civil courage.' " This prompts Bonhoeffer to speak out publicly against Hitler, found the breakaway Confessing Church, spy for the German Resistance, and join the plot to assassinate Hitler that ultimately costs him his life. Interwoven with Bonhoeffer's story is extensive historical information. Hendrix's striking artwork—done in a limited palette of black, turquoise, and red—relies heavily on typography and visual metaphor. Some of the most striking illustrations depict Nazism as a ferocious, demonic wolf. Another portrays Bonhoeffer as the biblical David with a sling facing a Goliath who holds a bloodied spear and swastika-emblazoned shield. Hendrix's challenging and complex content demonstrates the trust he has in the intelligence of his audience. (bibliography, source notes) (Nonfiction. 10-18)

Readers meet the German theologian and pastor who was executed for participating in a failed assassination attempt on Hitler. Hendrix deftly contrasts Bonhoeffer's and Hitler's biographical details against the larger World War II backdrop. The book effectively employs hand-lettered typeface, comic-panel layouts, spot art, vivid two-color illustrations, occasional maps, and striking political-cartoon-style editorial illustrations. The result is that this heavily textual book is also a highly visual one. Bib., ind.

In this audacious graphic biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hendrix crafts a portrait of a man of faith grappling with the question of what it means to be an ethical and moral person.Hendrix is clear that this account is not a complete biography, noting his goal is "underlining the essential themes found in Dietrich's life." Pivotal moments from his subject's childhood through his execution are chronicled. Bonhoeffer's worldview is transformed when he goes to New York City in 1930 as a young white seminarian and befriends two classmates—an African-American and a white Frenchman—who help awaken him to systemic racial injustice, pacifism, and the necessity of keeping the church independent from the state. From his year in America, "Bonhoeffer's theology [is] transformed from thought into action, the creation of something he called ‘civil courage.' " This prompts Bonhoeffer to speak out publicly against Hitler, found the breakaway Confessing Church, spy for the German Resistance, and join the plot to assassinate Hitler that ultimately costs him his life. Interwoven with Bonhoeffer's story is extensive historical information. Hendrix's striking artwork—done in a limited palette of black, turquoise, and red—relies heavily on typography and visual metaphor. Some of the most striking illustrations depict Nazism as a ferocious, demonic wolf. Another portrays Bonhoeffer as the biblical David with a sling facing a Goliath who holds a bloodied spear and swastika-emblazoned shield. Hendrix's challenging and complex content demonstrates the trust he has in the intelligence of his audience. (bibliography, source notes) (Nonfiction. 10-18)

Hendrix (Miracle Man) captures the powerful and purposeful life of the pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose faith and philosophy eventually led him to take a stand against Hitler when few others in Germany would. Using a variety of art styles, the book highlights Bonhoeffer-s intellectual, spiritual, and personal development alongside the cultural and political shifts behind Hitler-s rise to power. It also shows Bonhoeffer-s struggle to question his country-s leader and his work to become more than mere witness to history-his writings, his work as -chief pastor to the conspiracy--before his eventual capture and hanging. Hendrix details Bonhoeffer-s life in accessible prose, offering appropriate, meaningful context and in places using Bonhoeffer-s own words. Provocative background imagery enhances the comic-s mood and atmosphere: a noose wrapped around a church shows religious strangulation in Hitler-s Germany; prose shown on the moonlit wall of Bonhoeffer-s prison cell conveys imprisonment-s isolation. These visuals powerfully communicate the dread, despair, and violence inherent in living-and fighting against-Hitler-s Germany. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 10-14. (Sept.)