Skip to main content

Diana, Princess of the Amazons

Diana, Princess of the Amazons
By Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
Illustrated by Victoria Ying
Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2020. Graphic novel.

Eventually, eleven-year-old Diana will grow up to become Wonder Woman - member of the Justice League and superhero extraordinaire - but for now, she is the only child on the island of Themyscira. Being the only kid on an island full of amazing Amazons has its perks, but it also means there is no one to play with her and the other women on the island are too busy doing their important work. Diana has always heard stories of how her mother crafted her out of clay and then blew life into her, and she decides to try the same thing and make herself a friend. At first her new friend Mona seems like just what needs - someone to confide in, play with, and feel close to - until Mona's practical jokes start to grow out of hand and Diana is made to choose between loyalty to her family and her friend.

This new entry into the DC Universe is a really effective imagining of the childhood of a beloved superhero. Diana's frustration that adults are too busy to make time for her, especially her mother Hippolyta, will feel familiar for many young readers. Though this book is mostly about the relationship between Diana and the adults in her life, it is not hurting for action. A suspenseful climax, beautifully rendered, provides a serious dose of girl power with all female warriors battling supernatural monsters. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

If You Like...Ladybugs

Spring is almost upon us! We'll have more rain instead of snow, flowers will start blooming, and more bugs will be out. Ladybugs are some of the prettiest insects--and the least intimidating for those more wary of bugs. If you like ladybugs, check out these books! Ladybugs Do Not Go to Preschool Written by Ali Rutstein Illustrated by NinĢ‹a Nill Richmond, VA: Bright Light, 2024. Picture Book. Ravi loves ladybugs--he eats aphids instead of cornflakes for breakfast, brushes his mandibles instead of teeth, and has a ladybug costume complete with wings and antennae. He is certain that ladybugs don't have to go to preschool, and when Mom says that Ravi still has to go to school, he is nervous. However, thanks to Mom's patience and gentle encouragement, Ravi makes some new friends and realizes that preschool might be a good place for ladybugs after all. A Perfect Spot By Isabelle Simler Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A ladybug is ready to ...

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

I was a kid myself when  The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out  is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...