Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson and illustrated by Leila Del Duca

Summary from Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak, Shout) and artist Leila del Duca reimagine Wonder Woman's origins in this timely story about the refugee experience, teenage activism, and finding the love and strength to create change.

Princess Diana believes that her 16th birthday will be one of new beginnings--namely acceptance into the warrior tribe of Amazons. The celebrations are cut short, however, when rafts of refugees break through the Themysciran barrier. Diana tries to help them, but she is swept away by the sea--and from her home--thus becoming a refugee herself.

Now Diana must survive in the world outside of Themyscira for the first time; the world that is filled with danger and injustice. She must redefine what it means to belong, to be an Amazon, and to make a difference.

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is a story about growing into your strength, battling for justice, and the power of friendship.

Review:

I loved this. I haven’t loved a graphic novel in a long time. I guess when your favorite comic book hero joins forces with one of the best YA authors, it’s recipe for a success. I was a little nervous it was too good to be true. It was just wonderful. It’s the kind of graphic novel you sit down and read in one sitting. And when it’s over, you turn the page, hoping there might be just one more page waiting for you, but there isn’t. I’d read more.

I liked that it was Wonder Woman of today. It was a 16 year old Diana getting stuck in a refugee camp and learning the horrors of immigration. We get to see the hero flag fly as Diana really comes to her calling. She saves children from drowning, helps family communicate at borders, travels the world, donates meals to kids in need, and advocates for those in need. There are a lot of harsh realities for Diana to learn, but there’s also a lot of good too.

I think what I love the most about this book is that it shows readers that you don’t have to fly or throw cars to be a hero. You can literally make a sandwich, attend a meeting at a local library, and advocate. Little things matter and can make a huge difference. Anyone can really be a hero.

This book deals with some tough topics like poverty, homelessness, and child trafficking. But it treads the waters a little lightly. Diana learns about these tough things with young, almost naïve eyes. She’s coming from an island paradise where everyone was treated equal. So if these topics are new to young readers, it’s okay because they are new to Diana too. They aren’t overbearing. It’s more of a brief introduction into these topics.

I found Diana and her new friends to be fascinating. Everything from the advocacy work, to the polka dancing, to the parkour was a lot of fun to read about. Also, the artwork was impressive. It sucked me in from the beginning. It was beautiful. Honestly, it was just so nice to enjoy a graphic novel like this. I read it too fast! I give it a 10/10.