Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech

This profile of Daphne Caruana Galizia (1964–2017), a Maltese journalist who faced persecution, intimidation, violence, and was eventually killed by a car bomb, highlights moments through her life from childhood through adulthood. Author-illustrator Gattaldo’s narrative style has a lightly meandering, storytelling quality, fitting as a tribute for a friend, as an author’s note confirms: “Books taught Daphne/ to never let other people think for her./ She loved the freedom of asking questions/ and then making up her own mind.” The headlines Gattaldo attributes to Galizia—“WOMEN’S RIGHTS,” “UNITE AGAINST RACISM,” “FIGHT FOR A PRESS FREE FROM CENSORSHIP,” and more—reveal Galizia’s allegiance to standing up against injustice. Mixed media art combines soft watercolor washes with fluid, doodle-like lines and pops of color. A tender and contemporarily resonant portrait that highlights issues many journalists face. Back matter features an author’s note and photographs. Ages 7–9. (Sept.)