More poster series than book; other, similar titles are better designed, more informative, more inclusive, and more...
In order to highlight the “vision, uniqueness, and perseverance” of American women and, “most important,” to convey to boys that “women could be role models or heroes for them,” fine artist Tinari spotlights 24 American women.
Arranged primarily chronologically by birth date, each figure is presented to readers in a double-page spread. On the verso is a quote by or about the woman highlighted (some of these pages feature quotes by men rather than by the women themselves, an oddity that is not explained). On the recto, a fourth-wall–breaking gouache portrait is surrounded by stenciled facts, dates, quotes, and the figure’s name. The verso quote, much of the recto text, and part of the otherwise grayscale portraits are highlighted in a single neon color against a white page, making it extremely difficult to read. Some facts feel pointless (“HENRY DAVID THOREAU took young LOUISA on many nature WALKS”), while others will have readers hungry for more (Sojourner Truth was the “1st BLACK WOMAN to take a WHITE MAN to court AND WIN!!”). The majority of the women are cis, straight (or at least not known to be LGBTQ), white, and not disabled. Four black women, one Japanese-American woman (Yuri Kochiyama), one Apache woman (Lozen), and no Latina women are featured. Black, trans model Tracey Norman is celebrated, and there are four out queer women, although, disappointingly, none of them are named as such. The neuroatypicality of some of the women is included, but no other types of disabilities are mentioned.
More poster series than book; other, similar titles are better designed, more informative, more inclusive, and more intersectional. (Collective biography. 9-12)Pub Date: Nov. 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-1855-4
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A tighter focus would make this fascinating life story even more intriguing.
In this graphic memoir by sports journalist Shah, a ninth grader pursues his passion in the face of familial expectations pushing him toward a medical career, while also navigating the perils of high school social life.
It’s 1995, and Indian American Amar is desperate to meet the Chicago Bulls—Michael Jordan, in particular—when they stop by his Orlando, Florida, school. A lucky break leads him to his first sports interview, with Phil Jackson, and his tenacity takes him further, leading to multiple conversations with Shaquille O’Neal. But Amar’s luck in journalism doesn’t spill over to his relationship with his crush, blond Kasey Page (“like a mixture of Cameron Diaz, Tinkerbell, and heaven”), or his efforts to remain close with best friends Rohit and Cherian, who start spending more time with other classmates. The work relies on captions as much as plot developments to propel the story. It also follows a broad cast of characters—close and former friends, antagonists, supportive adults, and famous athletes—who appear in multiple storylines. The story accurately depicts the complexities of life as a young teen, though overlapping life challenges pull it in multiple directions, leaving some threads underexplored and hastily wrapped up. Doucet illustrates the characters using loose, disjointed outlines that give the artwork a sense of movement, and the colorful backgrounds use patterns and action lines to indicate a wide array of emotions.
A tighter focus would make this fascinating life story even more intriguing. (author’s note, photographs) (Graphic memoir. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 5, 2025
ISBN: 9781546110514
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Graphix/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A spirited biography untangles the accretion of myth and story around Pocahontas and makes clear what little is actually known and what fragments of the historical record are available. The text is rich in illustration and in sidebars (on longhouses, colonial diet, weaponry and so on) that illuminate the central narrative. Whether Pocahontas saved John Smith’s life directly or as part of an elaborate ritual might not matter, argues Jones. Pocahontas and her people were certainly responsible for keeping the English settlement of Jamestown from starvation. Relations between English settlers and Native people were uneasy at best, and the author traces these carefully, relating how Pocahontas was later kidnapped by the British and held for ransom. When none was forthcoming, she was converted both to English ways and the Christian religion, marrying the widower John Rolfe and traveling to England, where Pocahontas saw John Smith once again and died at about the age of 21. An excellent stab at myth busting and capturing the nuances of both the figure and her times. (glossary, bibliography, source notes, index) (Biography. 9-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4027-6844-6
Page Count: 124
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2010
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