Comics for Choice

Comics for Choice is anthology of comics about abortion. As this fundamental reproductive right continues to be stigmatized and jeopardized, over sixty artists and writers have created comics that boldly share their own experiences, and educate readers on the history of abortion, current political struggles, activism, and more. Lawyers, activists, medical professionals, historians, and abortion fund volunteers have teamed up with cartoonists and illustrators to share their knowledge in accessible comics form.Comics for Choice contains comics from exciting cartoonists like Sophia Foster-Dimino (Sex Fantasy), Leah Hayes (Not Funny Ha-Ha), Anna Bongiovanni (Grease Bats), Jennifer Camper (Rude Girls and Dangerous Women), Ally Shwed (Sex Bomb Strikes Again) and Kat Fajardo (Gringa!, La Raza Anthology), and reproductive justice scholars like Rickie Solinger, (Reproductive Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know) Renee Bracey Sherman (Program Director, We Testify), and Dr. Cynthia Greenlee (Senior Editor, Rewire).

Spurred by the 2016 election, editors Newlevant, Taylor, and Fox produced this deeply thoughtful, inclusive anthology of abortion stories that showcases the talents of more than 50 writers and artists, diverse in age, location, race, gender, experience, and more. Each entry offers something unique, and together they capture a nuanced understanding of abortion—the anxieties, fears, unexpected humors, and comforts—that is often lost in popular discourse. Teens will learn about trailblazers such as Dorothy Brown in Cynthia Greenlee and Jaz Malone's "They Call Her Dr. D: Tennessee's First Black Woman Legislator and Abortion Reform." The comics are unflinching in their portrayal of the external and internal pressures that weigh on an individual before or after going through this process. The black-and-white artwork shines in its originality and style: Stephanie Rodriguez's humorous but oh-so-relatable facial expressions in Daniela Diaz's "MundoFerpecto." This collection addresses difficult themes, and librarians will want to do some careful readers' advisory before handing to students. VERDICT Pair with Leah Hayes's Not Funny Ha-Ha to facilitate profound discussions on abortion with older teens.—Della Farrell, School Library Journal