Review by Booklist Review
At the height of the Red Scare in the U.S., Peggy, who needs to use crutches since she contracted polio, is struggling to fit in. Her twin brother's been acting strange ever since their dad returned home from the war in Korea a double amputee. Meanwhile, FBI agents are in pursuit of an enigmatic man in a trench coat, who possesses a mysterious technology that might be a weapon. When Peggy accidentally crosses paths with the FBI's target, he hides the tech in her crutch; shortly thereafter, Peggy discovers some miraculous new abilities. With art clearly inspired by Tintin, with clear, stylized line work and saturated colors, Walsh builds a twisting plot combining sf tropes with a tumultuous period in U.S. history. Peggy's friendship with a new neighbor whose father is embroiled in the panic over communism makes her evaluate her own relationship to the national culture of fear, and her family's adjustment to her father's transformed, complicated presence is a moving subplot. Fans of historical fiction and classic sf adventure comics will find plenty to like here.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Set in 1953, Walsh's debut is an action-packed, period-oriented thriller that follows student Peggy, who is recovering from polio and uses forearm crutches, as she finds a glowing red object that allows her to fly--and draws FBI interest. Alongside her family's struggle to make ends meet and the bullying that she endures at school, Peggy's white-presenting community obsessively fears communism's potential impact. Government emissaries pursue a purported Russian agent locally, and tensions rise when new kid Jess is outed as being the daughter of a communist. Walsh takes on complex themes, but a lack of nuanced characterization undercuts key scenes, as when Peggy's largely off-page veteran father, who lives with PTSD after losing two legs and an eye in the Korean War, defends Jess's father from a mob with a sudden monologue about the dangers of abandoning American principles--one that paints violence as inconsistent with U.S. history. The story nevertheless maintains a strong tempo throughout, mixing polished Tintin--style characterizations with a feel of classic comic noir to communicate the era's unease. Back matter provides further context about the time period, polio, and the artist's process. Ages 8--12. Agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House. (May)
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