Pénélope Bagieu

Throughout history and across the globe, one characteristic connects the daring women of Brazen: their indomitable spirit. With her characteristic wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated graphic novelist Pénélope Bagieu profiles the lives of these feisty female role models, some world famous, some little known. From Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison or Josephine Baker to Naziq al-Abid, the stories in this comic biography are sure to inspire the next generation of rebel ladies.

Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World

Brazen

Pnlope Bagieu

With her characteristic wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated graphic novelist Penelope Bagieu profiles the lives of these feisty female role models, some world famous, some little known. From Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison or Josephine Baker to Naziq al-Abid, the stories in this comic biography are sure to inspire the next generation of rebel ladies.

This is maybe my favorite of the art/biography books I've been reading. The art was just perfect, so cute and silly at the best of times (the old ladies are my favorite!). The ladies chosen were diverse and I feel like I got more info on each of them than most other similar books. The criminal miniaturist is probably my favorite lol

Ari Rose

Lara Engle

I LOVE this book. The drawings are charming. The color sense is spectacular. And the stories are inspirational, enraging, and just plain important. I want to track down all of Penelope's books now.

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

Outstanding collected comics biography of 30 bold, brilliant, brazen women spanning the globe and human experience. Translated from the original French, Bagieu's tributes to artists, scientists, culture-makers-and-keepers, warriors, activists, mothers, daughters, and sisters, are universally engaging with unerring insights into the lives of the famous women we thought we knew and intriguing introductions to women who will be new to many of us. Every graphic vignette is five pages of nine panels, 45 moments that have the comics styling of a Parisian fashion artist coupled with Erté-esque lines, narrow expressive faces, all depicting almost fairy-tale characters' perseverance and courage, all somehow wonderfully equitable yet stunning in their diversity. Each woman's story is written with gusto, humor and determination by Bagieu, with all the sketches tantalizingly succinct yet rich with details that, while truly satisfying, still beg for further reading and research. A truly ingenious selection, presentation, and interpretation of rebel women's lives throughout time. Highly recommended for savvy readers ages 13+.

Reading and teaching guide including Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World alongside other outstanding graphic novels and collections here:

https://images.macmillan.com/folio-assets/teachers-guides/9781626728691TG.pdf

A New York Times Book Reiview Notable Children's Book of 2018
2019 Eisner Award Winner for Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Nadine 

From time to time you come across a book that is just so cheeky, so brilliant, so en-pointe you want to force everyone to read it. That is this book. Think goodnight stories for rebel girls but then for older girls. In graphic novel format. With all the racy and saucy bits. Buy it.

Caroline Lewicki

This was a really fun graphic novel that featured a lot of interesting women. There was a little sass that I didn’t mind (unlike another collection of women’s biographies that I read recently) and I think the more laidback nature of a graphic novel lends itself to that. I learned about a lot of women I wasn’t previously familiar with and overall, really enjoyed reading this one!

Chandler Primak

I missed the part where it said this was a graphic novel but I’m really happy that I did because it was such a pleasant surprise. I NEED MORE

'PUnUlope Bagieu a is a kind of genius. This book already feels like a classic, one to be loved by every girl who reads it from now until the end of time.' Rachel Cooke, The Observer Immerse yourself in the captivating adventures of some of history's unsung heroines, whose stories are told through engaging voices, dazzling drawings and with startling wit. Discover the life of an apache warrior dubbed ostrong as a man and braver than most of themo, the only female Empress of China, three rebel sisters who toppled a fascist regime, a dancer who escaped poverty in America to become the darling of the Paris jazz scene and a resistance fighter, and a little girl who grew up to realise that being a witch is better than being a princess. Take in the stories of volcanologists, astronauts, animal whisperers, activists and explorers and feel ready to take on the world. Illustrated by award-winning Parisian artist PUnUlope Bagieu, humorous dialogue and uncommon true tales make Brazen an ideal book for anyone who loves trail blazers and courageous women, from Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls to The Handmaid's Tale.

Alex Najera 

Zoe Smolen

This was such a delightful read! Another great piece by Penelope Bagieu that highlights some of the lesser known, amazing women this world currently hosts and has formerly hosted. The art is GORGEOUS, the stories fantastic, and I specifically loved the nods to all of these women's parents - a reminder that we all came from somewhere. Hope we get a sequel one day.

Brazen Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World

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