Noisemakers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voices & Changed the World; A Graphic Collection from Kazoo

Gr 3-7–The creators of kids’ magazine Kazoo present a remarkable collection about 25 women who changed the world, from shark scientist Eugenie Clark to entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker to reporter Nelly Bly to author Mary Shelley. Each entry starts with a brief summary of the subject and a list of traits (readers are encouraged to “count all the things you have in common with” the women), followed by a brief comic, each by a different artist (Maris Wicks, Lucy Knisley, and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell are among those who lend their talents). Each account of a historical “noisemaking” woman is short but powerful, and encourages young readers to draw connections between these figures and their own lives. Though the list of women is somewhat diverse, the creators could have included lesser-known women or those who are currently working to change the world. Still, the work is accessible and the design is eye-catching. Biographies of the featured comics creators add interest and are a perfect gateway for readers to discover additional graphic works.