Kirkus Review
This collective biography in graphic form depicts the lives of seven women from a range of eras and cultures who each reached the conclusion that they could only attain their goals by posing as men. Featuring both historical figures that may be recognizable to kids (Ellen Craft, Mu Lan) and those more obscure (Hatshepsut, Alfhild), the collection offers a succinct overview of each. Early on, a pedantic tone is established that seems at odds with the graphic format and distances readers by telling them rather than allowing them to experience these stories ("Hatshepsut slowly transformed her public image"). Readers with particular interest in women's history, however, will find that Hughes's simple language and Dawson's clean, black-and-white ink drawings steer the work in the same no-nonsense direction and do an adequate job of presenting this uniquely themed offering. Source notes are not included, though there is a short list of further reading and a largely superfluous afterword. (Graphic biography. 8-12) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
These stories, presented in a graphic novel format, provide short, fictionalized biographies of women who disguised themselves as men in order to achieve their goals, and illustrate some of the things determined women have accomplised throughout history, often against great odds. The subjects range from the famous, such as Hatshepsut of Egypt, Mu Lan (whose story was popularized by Disney's animated film), and the daring slave Ellen Craft, to the more obscure in Viking princess Alfhild and Civil War soldier Sarah Rosetta Wakeman. Readers searching for strong women should enjoy this book, but not all the stories ended happily. For instance, Wakeman died during the Civil War. The quirky, but clear, black-and-white art works well with the terse text, conveying humor and drama that enhance the stories. The book includes suggested reading for anyone who wants to learn more about the women portrayed within.--Kan, Kat Copyright 2008 Booklist
