Renegade Girls (A Graphic Novel)

December 1, 2024

Gr 6 Up-When American newspapers burst onto the scene in the 19th century, their mission included social reporting, which provided the public a view into high society as well as a method through which to witness realities that previously remained secret-political scandals, shady business affairs, and the like. This graphic novel takes 21st century readers into a bygone era, with nods to stunt girl reporters, high society's pressures on its young, the social and practical roles domestic servants could provide, and the dangers of sweatshop work. Nell is the gay 17-year-old protagonist of this robust tale. A thread of romance gets stirred into an ambitious mix of realism and idealism. While Nell Nelson was a real stunt girl reporter, this title is a work of fiction, as detailed in the back matter. Robine's brightly colored presentation of the various characters displays a wide range of ethnic and racial diversity, a pastorally pretty Staten Island, and the horrors of the garment industry. Nell's work is incredibly successful, and readers can look forward to a satisfying story. VERDICT This fast-paced, tightly woven graphic novel may lack historically accurate details, but proves a rewarding light read that may awaken questions of social justice.-Francisca Goldsmith

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2025
A fictionalized account of two real figures: "stunt-girl reporter" Nell Cusack and photographer Alice Austen. It's 1888. Each year, Nell summers in New York City with her well-connected aunt and uncle. She's found employment as a society reporter for theNew York Chronicle, a job which she hopes to finagle into more consequential reporting, like Nellie Bly's famous mental hospital expos�. When she discovers that her best friend, Italian American Lucia Amatucci, who works as a maid for Nell's aunt and uncle, was injured at her second job at a garment factory, Nell goes undercover to blow the whistle on the factory's dangerous and inhumane work environment. After her article appears in print, the factory sues the paper. Fortunately, Nell has recently become acquainted with photographer Alice Austen, whom she enlists to gather photographic evidence for subsequent articles. In the nuanced resolution, Nell confronts her own privilege in pursuit of social justice. Along the way, the gently budding romance between Nell and Alice unfolds in sweet, swoonworthy scenes. While Neus takes liberties with the story--the author's note indicates there's no historical evidence that Cusack was queer, though Austen spent more than 50 years with her woman partner--the fictional romance is a delight. The soft, luminous, full-color illustrations shine. The panels showing renderings of Austen's actual photos, depicted in grayscale, are particularly evocative. Informative historical fiction about important trailblazers featuring a charming queer romance.(Graphic historical fiction. 12-18)

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March 1, 2025
Grades 7-12 Renegade Girls takes the reader on a whirlwind ride through 1880s high society and undercover reporting. Helena Cusack is desperate to become a stunt girl reporter, one who exposes the exploitative underbelly of the Gilded Age. She's encouraged by new friend Alice Austen, who's based on a real photographer, and household maid Lucia. After learning of Lucia's dangerous factory work, Helena becomes Nell Nelson, writing a series of articles to spur change in child labor and worker safety. Alice's photos prove necessary evidence, and the pair become romantic and professional partners. But powerful people oppose Nell's work; soon readers are left wondering if the intrepid team will be silenced for good. The art vividly captures the diverse population of New York among the bucolic parks, busy streets, and grimy industrial workshops characteristic of the period. This will be of great interest to kids who have just outgrown books in the American Girl series and will appreciate the mix of historical fact and entertaining fiction found here. A dashing tale of justice, bravery, and love.

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