Fictionalized but based on actual events, Song of a Blackbird is a graphic novel with two intertwined timelines: one is a modern-day family drama, the other a courageous tale of art and resistance under Nazi occupation.
In 1943 Amsterdam, Emma Bergsma’s world changes when she witnesses Jewish families being forcibly deported to concentration camps. In that moment, she decides to joins the Dutch Resistance.
In 2011 Amsterdam, Annick’s world has changed as well. A search for a bone marrow donor for her beloved oma leads to a shocking revelation: her grandmother was secretly adopted as a child. The only clues to finding their lost family are a series of art prints hanging on the wall—each signed by a mysterious “Emma B.”
In Song of a Blackbird, these two intertwining timelines reveal how art, in the face of nearly insurmountable adversity, can become our greatest lifeline.
Historical background, with photographs. Bibliography. "Civilian Deaths in the Netherlands as a Direct Result of the Nazi Occupation." Limited-palette illustrations were drawn with Adobe Illustrator and combined with archival photos, which were retouched sparingly to fit the narrative using Adobe Photoshop. Compositions, textures, effects, and hand-lettering were created in Adobe Photoshop.
Topics Family. Europe. Amsterdam, Netherlands. Dutch Resistance. World War II (1939-1945). Holocaust. Adoption. Art.
Trim Size 9" x 6"
JLG Span Spring
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2025-01-20
JLG Release Date Apr 2025
Minimum grade 9
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
History - High (Grades 9 & Up)
History High
History - High (Grades 9 & Up)
For Grades 9 & Up
This collection of 12 nonfiction and historical fiction books offers compelling, well-documented accounts of past events and figures. With a mix of biographies, realistic fiction, and historical analysis, these selections provide a deeper understanding of historyâs impact. Some titles may be written for adults.
12 books per Year
$259.20 per Year
Interests
Fiction, Mature Readers, Nonfiction, Biographies, Realistic Fiction, History