Red Scare by Liam Francis Walsh

Abstract

Reviewed by: Red Scare by Liam Francis Walsh April Spisak Walsh, Liam Francis Red Scare; written and illus. by Liam Francis Walsh. Graphix/Scholastic, 2022 [240p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781338167092 $24.99 Paper ed. ISBN 9781338167085 $14.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781338167108 $14.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 5-7 Peggy wishes her dad had come back from the Korean War as the joyful, loving father [End Page 264] she remembers rather than a haunted man who stays in his room, slowly driving her mother away as he battles his own demons. When she comes into possession of a mysterious object, her life takes a drastic turn: not only is she able to overcome her polio but she's also suddenly able to fly. Unfortunately, her aerial adventures catch the eye of the FBI, and now the U.S. government is after her, looking for the object that can push the Cold War in America's favor. The pursuit by multiple political factions and Peggy's narrow escapes (in flight or otherwise) make for a breathless read, but the heart of this graphic novel is Peggy herself and how being at risk awakens her own determination to be better. The graphic novel format is used effectively, with colors, shadows, and panel size adjusted as needed for impact, and illustrations doing most of the heavy lifting to show the absolute joy Peggy feels when she can leave behind her difficult life and take to the sky. Significant end matter offers all sorts of treats for the interested reader, from historical political context to author insight into their own writing and illustrating process. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois