Comics for Choice

Spurred by the 2016 election, editors Newlevant, Taylor, and Fox produced this deeply thoughtful, inclusive anthology of abortion stories that showcases the talents of more than 50 writers and artists, diverse in age, location, race, gender, experience, and more. Each entry offers something unique, and together they capture a nuanced understanding of abortion—the anxieties, fears, unexpected humors, and comforts—that is often lost in popular discourse. Teens will learn about trailblazers such as Dorothy Brown in Cynthia Greenlee and Jaz Malone's "They Call Her Dr. D: Tennessee's First Black Woman Legislator and Abortion Reform." The comics are unflinching in their portrayal of the external and internal pressures that weigh on an individual before or after going through this process. The black-and-white artwork shines in its originality and style: Stephanie Rodriguez's humorous but oh-so-relatable facial expressions in Daniela Diaz's "MundoFerpecto." This collection addresses difficult themes, and librarians will want to do some careful readers' advisory before handing to students.