Published: 2022
Audience: Middle Grade and Teen
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Jewish, Politics, Israel
Content Warnings: Religious Persecution
Synopsis: In 1965, an American rabbi travels to the Soviet Union to investigate reports of persecution of the Jewish community. Moscow welcomes him as a guest—but provides a strict schedule he and the rest of his group must follow. One afternoon, the rabbi slips away. With an address in hand and almost no knowledge of the Russian language, he embarks on a secret journey that will change his life forever. Inspired by the true experience of Rabbi Rafael Grossman, A Visit to Moscow captures the formidable perseverance and strength of the Jewish people during the “Let My People Go” movement, a modern exodus that is often overlooked. – From the publisher
Review: I love it when a title introduces me to history I didn’t know anything about. In this case, it’s the “Let My People Go” movement and the persecution of Jews in the Soviet Union during the 1960s. This particular graphic novel is an interesting intersection of nonfiction and historical fiction – the story from the book was always portrayed as factual when discussed in public settings in front of an audience, but the main character, Rabbi Rafael Grossman, died before the author had the opportunity to verify it. The title successfully creates suspense and a feeling of danger as the Rabbi travels to the Soviet Union and begins to unravel a family secret, with the illustration using color and form to accurately reflect the emotions someone might feel if they’re worried about arrest by the KGB. Because the book is on the shorter side but also deals with important history, I think it can find a home on upper elementary through high school library shelves.
