Biographies by various authors and illustrators to show the real Wonder Women of the world are on the pages of the graphic novel, Wonderful Women of the World. From names you know (the Williams sisters, Greta Thunberg) to people you might not have heard of (Teara Fraser, Francisca Nneka Okeke), we fly, learn water is weird, and learn how to be ourselves through our love, expressions and fighting. There are several extras and author biographies included. This is not an easy read, but a thoughtful and interesting one.
I am not sure how editor, Laurie Halse Anderson, had the willpower to just stop at the people they did include. Because of who was chosen, the options are endless. Most of the stories are of a famous individual who is paralleled with someone who is an “everyday” person (some inspired to become their own famous person, others examples of what “you” can do, too). Covering the first Native American woman to own and run a business that includes all female workers, to the “then” and “now” scenes of a transgender person, no topic is off limits. We travel the US, Africa, and the Middle East. The only continent not touched probably is Antarctica.
Each chapter is illustrated with a different style, one page extras will start a part of the book. Bravery and themes along those lines are covered as much as the ideas of sports, writing, gender, sexuality and civil rights. Things are busy, crowded and at times overwhelming. I skipped over a few people I knew, but tried to read all of the people I was unfamiliar with. This is not a physically easy book to read, I would recommend it for ages at least 12 and up, but 13/14 and up is more likely.
