It is common to novels for older elementary school students and even older teenagers publish with illustrations. It is believed that reading will be more interesting for them, and that the drawing will help them master the story more easily. That's why those drawings are a literal illustration of the plot, for example if the main characters of the novel at some point sit down on a bench to have a friendly chat, the page with that scene is a drawing of the two of them on the bench.
I'm sure that publishers know what they're doing and that they illustrate novels for teenagers for a very good reason, but I'm also sure that there's no reason for those illustrations to explain the plot. Writers choose a plot that is close to teenagers, and they have enough reading and life experience, so illustrating what they read about is unnecessary.
Rare exceptions
But, sometimes a local publication appears which, frankly, does not disparage young readers, such as novel by Olivera Zulović "One hundred percent other people's work" which he recently published Creative center.
The book is illustrated with the works of illustrator and designer Jakša Lakićević (26), who is also the author of the cover.
They are black and white illustrations that look like graphics, there are several of them. Each one follows the atmosphere, not the action of the novel, so it does not explain anything, but participates in the action, builds it up, just as the reader builds it up with his vision of what he reads. And that is both creative and useful. Plus, it's also educational: it brings teenagers closer to graphic design, which is only being introduced in art classes.
Jakša Lakićević's illustrations do not imitate children's drawings, as is usually the case, in order to bring the book closer to its reader. They in no way elevate him or "target" the age for which the book is intended.
About Danilo and Grubor
And, that, apart from the novel itself, is the reason why this book doesn't have to be only for older primary school students for whom it is officially intended.
"One hundred percent of other people's work" is the second novel by Olivera Zulović, in which she remained consistent with the form of her previous "Manual for a Solid Life" from 2022, for which she received "Entertainer's Award".
So, again in a series of short scenes, Olivera Zulović is now talking about Danilo and Grubor, who would probably never be friends if one day someone poisoned the cats at the market in their area. They start an investigation and at the same time discover a series of things that will change a lot in their lives.
"One Hundred Percent Someone Else's Work" is a story primarily about friendship, but also about fathers and sons, about second chances, changes, loneliness. As in the previous novel, here too the world of adults is present and presented through the eyes and emotions of the children's world. And the so-called "second view" is needed by everyone.
Big holiday discount on "Vreme" - subscriptions 25 percent cheaper until mid-January. Give it away subscription to yourself or to someone else, read what matters.
