The graphic novel Karski’s Mission: To Stop the Holocaust, published by the Jan Karski Educational Foundation in 2015, has been awarded a Silver Medal by the 21st annual 2017 Independent Publisher Book Awards in the Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Drama/Documentary category. Launched in 1996, the Independent Publisher Book Awards “honor the year’s best independently published titles from around the world. The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published titles published each year.” (www.independentpublisher.com)
Karski’s Mission is based on the true story of Jan Karski (1914-2000), a Polish Catholic and member of the Polish Underground during World War II, who risked his life to carry his eyewitness account of the ongoing slaughter of the Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland to Allied leaders.
The text of this 28-page comic book was written by Dr. Rafael Medoff, founding director of The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies and the author of 15 books about the Holocaust and Jewish history. The bold and dramatic illustrations were drawn by Dean Motter, an artist, writer and designer, best known for the comic book sensation, Mister X.
This graphic novel was created thanks to the dedication and expertise of the editorial team, including Wanda Urbanska (editor-in-chief); Bożena U. Zaremba (editor); Bożena Nowicka McLees, Ewa Wierzyńska and E. Thomas Wood (historical consultation); Giordano “Gerry” Chiaruttini, Lisa Grabarek, and Jane Robbins (additional guidance); and Susan Barrows (graphic assistance).
It was underwritten by the Jan Karski Educational Foundation, Fundacja Edukacyjna Jana Karskiego and The Association of Friends of the Polish History Museum, with additional support provided by Carole Bilina, John McLees, and Sigmund A. Rolat. Additional funding for the Polish edition was provided by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
The award ceremony will take place on May 30 at BookExpo America in New York, NY.
Please see the full list of 2017 medalists:
2017 Independent Publisher Book Awards Winners
Contact info@jankarski.net for additional information.
