Noisemakers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voices & Changed the World - A Graphic Collection from Kazoo

Gr 3-7--The creators of kids' magazine Kazoo present a remarkable collection about 25 women who changed the world, from shark scientist Eugenie Clark to entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker to reporter Nelly Bly to author Mary Shelley. Each entry starts with a brief summary of the subject and a list of traits (readers are encouraged to "count all the things you have in common with" the women), followed by a brief comic, each by a different artist (Maris Wicks, Lucy Knisley, and Rosemary Valero-O'Connell are among those who lend their talents). Each account of a historical "noisemaking" woman is short but powerful, and encourages young readers to draw connections between these figures and their own lives. Though the list of women is somewhat diverse, the creators could have included lesser-known women or those who are currently working to change the world. Still, the work is accessible and the design is eye-catching. Biographies of the featured comics creators add interest and are a perfect gateway for readers to discover additional graphic works. VERDICT A wonderful teaching tool for history lessons, and a solid addition to public or school libraries.--DeHanza Kwong, Butte Public Library, MT

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Enticing. Part encyclopedia, part girl-power scrapbook, the collection of biographical vignettes [is] extremely relevant.

"Engrossing.... These pages reinforce a lot of the themes that are at the core of Kazoo's philosophy: the thrill of exploration, the comfort of self-reliance, the joy of being confident in pursuing what you want... biographies include My Favorite Thing Is Monsters' Emil Ferris on Mary Shelley, Relish's Lucy Knisley on Julia Child, Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur's Alitha E. Martinez on Josephine Baker, and many more, making Noisemakers vital reading for comic fans who want to see the full range of what the medium can offer." —AV Club

"Thoughtful, timely and super-engaging. So glad the powerhouse young people coming up have Kazoo as a blueprint, a roadmap, and a glimpse into history." —Jacqueline Woodson

All the women in this book were discouraged from doing the work they were born to do. Fortunately, they didn't let that stop them. Here are their riveting stories, told in unputdownable comics. I wish I'd had NOISEMAKERS when I was growing up. —Alison Bechdel

Astonishing comics about world-changing women. What could possibly be better? —Neil Gaiman

"Perfectly-timed, positive, and righteously fun." —Comics Beat

"A draw-dropping lineup of comics talent." —The Comics Journal

"Incredible.... Kazoo shows young girls that the world belongs to them if they work hard for their dreams, even and especially in the face of adversity." —Women Write About Comics

"Great comics work by creators you adore... Really, really fun to read with my daughter." — Multiversity

"As you can imagine from the creators KAZOO, this looks like the perfect book for inspiring young girls (and boys too, one hopes). It's a real treasure trove of interesting stories from throughout the ages and a must for schools and libraries as well as all age readers." —Comicon.com

"Impressive." —Comics Crusaders

"Noisemakers is great for anyone who wants to learn about some amazing women in history alongside some amazing art. ... A unique graphic novel that I can't wait to share with others." —The Pullbox

"A great way to get readers familiar with these women, along with stoking the fires of creative passion." —Comicsnow