by Christian Staebler & Sonia Paoloni ; illustrated by Thibault Balahy ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 27, 2020
Musicians with heart put their people before profits in an inspirational tale.
An entertaining graphic novel about a band of influential Native rock stars and civil rights activists.
Readers will enjoy learning the origin story of classic rock band Redbone, recently known for their hit “Come and Get Your Love” from the soundtrack of The Guardians of the Galaxy. Structured as an oral history recounted by Pat Vegas to his adult daughter, the story of Pat and his brother Lolly Vegas reveals their influential presence on the Sunset Strip beginning in the 1960s. From inspiring Jim Morrison and The Doors to conceiving of an all-Indian band with the encouragement of Jimi Hendrix, Redbone battled prejudice to be a part of the classic rock scene in America. Using their prominence as an avenue to support social justice, the band was integral to struggles for civil rights and the American Indian Movement. Including memories of the occupation of Alcatraz Island and the second Wounded Knee, this important story serves both as history and family love story. Frequently drawn without panels, free-floating illustrations are color coded to clarify the time periods discussed in the narrative. The drawing style, which feels like a personal sketchbook in places, adds to the charm and digressive nature of the plot. Well-researched and well-paced, this book will introduce a new generation to the music and impact of Redbone.
Musicians with heart put their people before profits in an inspirational tale. (Graphic nonfiction. 12-adult)Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68405-714-6
Page Count: 160
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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PERSPECTIVES
by Hannah Testa ; illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 13, 2020
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change.
Testa’s connection to and respect for nature compelled her to begin championing animal causes at the age of 10, and this desire to have an impact later propelled her to dedicate her life to fighting plastic pollution. Starting with the history of plastic and how it’s produced, Testa acknowledges the benefits of plastics for humanity but also the many ways it harms our planet. Instead of relying on recycling—which is both insufficient and ineffective—she urges readers to follow two additional R’s: “refuse” and “raise awareness.” Readers are encouraged to do their part, starting with small things like refusing to use plastic straws and water bottles and eventually working up to using their voices to influence business and policy change. In the process, she highlights other youth advocates working toward the same cause. Short chapters include personal examples, such as observations of plastic pollution in Mauritius, her maternal grandparents’ birthplace. Testa makes her case not only against plastic pollution, but also for the work she’s done, resulting in something of a college-admissions–essay tone. Nevertheless, the first-person accounts paired with science will have an impact on readers. Unfortunately, no sources are cited and the lack of backmatter is a missed opportunity.
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change. (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-22333-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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More In The Series
by Shavone Charles ; illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
by Leo Baker ; illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
by Chella Man ; illustrated by Chella Man & Ashley Lukashevsky ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2021
Best enjoyed by preexisting fans of the author.
Deaf, trans artist Man meditates on his journey and identity in this brief memoir.
Growing up in conservative central Pennsylvania was tough for the 21-year-old Deaf, genderqueer, pansexual, and biracial (Chinese/White Jewish) author. He describes his gender and sexual identity, his experiences of racism and ableism, and his desire to use his visibility as a YouTube personality, model, and actor to help other young people like him. He is open and vulnerable throughout, even choosing to reveal his birth name. Man shares his experiences of becoming deaf as a small child and at times feeling ostracized from the Deaf community but not how he arrived at his current Deaf identity. His description of his gender-identity development occasionally slips into a well-worn pink-and-blue binary. The text is accompanied and transcended by the author’s own intriguing, expressionistic line drawings. However, Man ultimately falls short of truly insightful reflection or analysis, offering a mostly surface-level account of his life that will likely not be compelling to readers who are not already fans. While his visibility and success as someone whose life represents multiple marginalized identities are valuable in themselves, this heartfelt personal chronicle would have benefited from deeper introspection.
Best enjoyed by preexisting fans of the author. (Memoir. 12-18)Pub Date: June 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-22348-2
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 24, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
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More In The Series
by Shavone Charles ; illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
by Leo Baker ; illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
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