Peter Lantos’ Memoir Transformed into a Graphic Novel
Peter Lantos’ memoir, The Boy Who Didn’t Want To Die, is being reimagined as a graphic novel. Illustrator Victoria Stebleva will bring the story to life. Scholastic plans to release this adaptation on January 2, 2025. It promises to deliver a powerful visual experience.
A Journey Through War-Torn Europe
The Boy Who Didn’t Want To Die details Lantos’ journey as a five-year-old during World War II. The memoir follows his escape from Hungary, traveling through Austria and Germany in 1944 and 1945. Moments of childhood innocence—like sleeping under the stars—contrast sharply with the horrors of war, including bombings, starvation, and death.
Lantos’ story showcases the resilience of the human spirit. It emphasizes survival, love, and hope amidst unimaginable hardship. The graphic novel aims to preserve these themes. Stebleva’s illustrations will add depth and emotion to this compelling tale.
Bringing New Life to a Powerful Story
Peter Lantos, now a respected neuroscientist, first published his memoir Parallel Lines in 2006. His work, rooted in his experience as a Holocaust survivor, has gained wide recognition. This graphic novel marks his first book aimed at younger readers.
Lantos expressed his excitement, saying, “I am delighted that after the success of my book, it will be published as a graphic memoir. I hope that this format will reach even more children who wish to enhance the written words with images of the text.”
Victoria Stebleva, the illustrator, shared her passion for the project: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work on Peter Lantos’ graphic novel. His story touched me deeply. My goal as an illustrator is to create a visual layer for this extraordinary story of survival, love, and hope that will resonate with readers of all ages.”
Elizabeth Scoggins, the publisher at Scholastic leading this project, also expressed her enthusiasm: “It has been a true privilege to continue to work with Peter on this next step in his children’s publishing career. Helping to create a new version of the story of his experiences during the war is a real passion project, and I hope that even more readers will find themselves immersed in his incredible and moving journey.”
As the release date nears, anticipation grows for this visual adaptation. It promises to bring a new dimension to Lantos’ story, making it accessible to a wider audience.
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