PositiveSchool Library JournalThe conversational, generally linear narrative starts out simply enough but quickly becomes a catalogue of Hawking\'s many famous contemporaries and the leading theories of the day, which influenced, and were influenced by, Hawking\'s own work. His personal life is covered as well but is secondary to his achievements. Loose, scratchy linework and bold, high-saturation colors reflect Hawking\'s bold ways of thinking about the universe. An author\'s note indicates that though the book is nonfiction, some details were changed to improve the flow of the story ... Packed with scientific theory, this graphic biography of a scientific luminary will appeal to budding physics and cosmology enthusiasts.
Lucy Knisley
RaveMultiversity Comics... contains a nicely balanced mix of personal experiences and historical context surrounding pregnancies and women’s reproductive health ... In 241 pages, Knisley manages to do for her readers what generations of sex education has failed to do: she has provided an unflinchingly honest, straightforward, captivating, and often horrifying look at the way topics surrounding female anatomy and sex have been treated by experts and non-experts alike throughout history. Knisley expertly frames how that historical and perpetual treatment can be, and often is, detrimental to both women and men ... Though her memoir is highly personal and at times unsettling, Knisley is able to present her story and the research she did before, during, and after her pregnancy in such a way as to make this memoir enlightening and worthwhile to all, parent or not ... Although there is considerable white space above and below the panels, the high density of writing on same pages can make the pages appear busier than they actually are. Even so, the pages are never overwhelming in appearance ... Readers will enjoy the full volume, and while it is possible they will get equal enjoyment from both parts of the story, it is more likely they will gravitate to one portion over the other (either the personal or the research/information) depending upon their own motivations for reading the book and/or their own life experiences ... Knisley does a great job here of providing just enough information to the reader to intrigue and hopefully lead to further research and follow-up of their own without overwhelming them or shifting the focus too far away from her own story. In this, she strikes the perfect balance ... A uniquely important and touching story.
Don Brown
RaveLibrary JournalBlocks of text provide context about Syria\'s civil war, as well as commentary on the international response, with supporting maps and charts seamlessly incorporated into the story. The loose linework reflects the chaos, and the full-color art depicts a muted sepia and blue gray palette, with touches of brighter hues for effect. Violence is freely but not gratuitously shown, and death is depicted only rarely ... This accessible and heartbreaking primer, with its stirring simplicity and a note of hope, should be required reading for all teens hoping to be empathetic and engaged world citizens.
