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.

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