Despite the controversy surrounding the novel, "Persepolis" has turned into an important piece of literature which connects the Western and Iranian world. The graphic novel was awarded to "Newsweek"s Ten Best Fiction books list, and was created into a film in 2007. Reading "Persepolis" "lends itself to discussion of literary strategies and to teaching visual literacy, as well as to broader discussions of cultural difference as constructed in art and the media and as experienced in life". This being said, teaching this book helps to further develop the learning of students, especially the learning of a foreign culture, because "Persepolis" contains factual information from Satrapi's real life experiences growing up in Iran. In addition, the novel allows its student readers to critically think about the phenomenon of war, while also exploring the potentials of peace.