Holler: A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance

Gr 10 Up–Climate organizer Nalamalapu uses the graphic novel format to present stories of those resisting the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Appalachia. The author interviewed people across the affected region and tells their stories in an honest, approachable manner, “uplifting the voices of marginalized communities that are impacted by climate injustice.” Each activist and their reasons for involvement and motivation to continue the fight are introduced alongside descriptions of their skills and backgrounds, such as an Indigenous seed keeper, the founder of a student climate coalition, a teacher, a nurse, a photographer, and a single mother. The author presents the interviews and the results of the pipeline construction in stark black outlines and a limited color palette. Images capture the scenes of resistance meetings, collateral effects of the construction, such as deforestation and flooding, and activists occupying treetops or chaining themselves to cars in protest. While their efforts have not stopped the pipeline, they continue to educate, make their concerns known, and resist the disruption of their communities. A map of the pipeline’s route and a time line of the fight against it are included.