Why She Wrote: A Graphic History of the Lives, Inspiration, and Influence Behind the Pens of Classic Women Writers
by Lauren Burke and Hannah K. Chapman
Illustrated by Kaley Bates
ISBN-10: 179720209X
Hardcover, 256 pages
The new book, Why She Wrote by Lauren Burke and Hannah K. Chapman and illustrated by Kaley Bates does an amazing job at telling true untold stories of famous women writers. Authors Burke and Chapman host the Bonnets of Dawn podcast and do an amazing job of sectioning the book into different 6 different chapters as categories: The Horror of the Everyday, Finding their Voice, Activism as Art, Private Lives, Public Identities, Public Identities and Protection and Profit. There are three women authors profiled in each chapter.
For all of these women authors the road to publication was one of perseverance -- and for some, even after publication, things were not so easy. Their stories are inspiring to young girls today to realize the importance of following one's passion, the art of creative writing and how it can empower movements and women who thrived despite the gender biases of their time.
I highly recommend this book to middle school and high school readers. Readers can choose to skip around the book to read about their favorite author or read by topic chapter. It's a great companion book to have at home as a tween or teen starts reading classic literature.
Here are some interior shots of the book featuring some of my favorite authors, Charlotte Bronte, Beatrix Potter and Jane Austen.
Shop for the book Why She Wrote on Amazon.
Review book provided by Chronicle Books
