Author Biography

Alessia was Born in southern Italy in 1990 but she grew up in Rome, where she still lives. She has wanted to be an illustrator since she was a child. After a Degree in the Animation course of the International School of Comics based in Rome in 2013, Alessia has worked as Background Artist for some of the most important roman animation studios. She currently works as a freelance artist on various Animation and illustration projects. Salima Alikhan has been a freelance writer and illustrator for fourteen years. She lives in Austin, Texas, where she writes and illustrates children's books. Salima also teaches creative writing at St. Edward's University and English at Austin Community College. Her books and art can be found at

Review

Female heroes of World War II have their stories related in these four graphic biographies. Sophie Scholl was a young -German woman who, disillusioned with Hitler, endangered her life by campaigning against the Nazis. Army and Navy nurses bravely take care of wounded soldiers in the Philippines while enduring terrible hardships and internment by the Japanese. An Australian journalist in France takes huge risks as a spy for the French Resistance. The woman who becomes the first Black lieutenant colonel in the WACS heads a team of other Black female soldiers in sorting mail for troops in Europe while enduring racial discrimination by their white colleagues. The authors and illustrators of these graphic narratives do an excellent job of conveying suspense; readers unfamiliar with the stories about Scholl and Wake will find themselves especially eager to turn the pages. The tales of the nurses and the WACS sensitively portray the difficult circumstances the women found themselves in and how they were able to rise above their respective trials and tribulations. Tones of sepia, grays, browns, and dark green found in the frames' backgrounds complement the stories of these remarkable women. VERDICT The excellent narratives combined with engaging drawings do a fine job of introducing readers to important players in a crucial point of history. Purchase should definitely be considered by school and public libraries.--Margaret Nunes, former Librarian, Gwinnett County Public Library, GA "School Library Journal"

Feature

World War II remains a bestselling topic across formats and age ranges;

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