Renegade Girls: A Queer Tale of ­Romance and Rabble-Rousing

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.