looking for info on graphic novels dealing with social justice issues such as war and its aftermath

I am doing a research project on graphic novels and picture books for upper elementary and middle school dealing big issues (social justice) such as genocide and the aftermath of war. Does anyone have any ideas beyond MAUS? Most of what I've found so far is high school. The purpose is to bring graphic novels into the classroom that have potentiality for rich discussion in the classroom . If anyone couls help that would be fantastic

I'm not real up on what's appropriate for those ages, but you might look at Palestine, by Joe Sacco.

How about Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa?

There's one about a lion from a zoo in Iraq -- not sure what the low end of the age range would be, as I've heard it's fairly dark. The title is Pride of Baghdad.

Wasn't there a movie just made from one about an Israeli soldier's experience? Can't think oft he name.

The film you're thinking of, PressShift1, is Waltz with Bashir, I think. Definitely not a kid-friendly movie...but worth seeing.

fishwax, you may want to check out The Graphic Classroom at graphicclassroom.blogspot.com, which is covers the use of comics/graphic novels in school, with reviews, etc.

I found the site while trying to track down appropriate graphic novels for my kids ... I'm no expert in the field and don't really know anything about whoever's running the blog, but it's interesting stuff.

You could check Kingdom Come, graphic novel published by DC Comics and written by Mark Waid. It looks at progressive violence by superheroes in "protecting" humans and ultimately leads to war and potentials for genocide of either the human or metahuman race.

Shooting War by Anthony Lappe and Dan Goldman.
It predicts, in dramatic terms, the logical evolution of the middle east war.

I just ran across this book today. I stood in the bookstore and laughed at the very idea that my life has become a comic book. Then I bought it.