Review: Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys and Andrew Weiner

Girl on Fire follows the story of Lolo Wright and her discovery of her hidden power, the ability to control objects with her mind. This is a beautiful graphic novel that portrays the realities of being a teenager with superpowers thrown into the mix. Prejudice, class, race and the importance of family and friends are just some of the themes explored within the colourful illustrations on each page. It was a refreshing change of pace to read about a strong female superhero. The authors don’t sugar coat the truth in this book, they tackle many different issues head on.

Lolo is such an endearing and inspiring protagonist as well as a great role model. At fourteen years old, she is razor sharp and top of her class. Even as she faces extreme danger and threats to herself and her family, she displays remarkable strength and resilience. The reader gets to observe her journey as she grapples with her newfound power, antagonists and fitting in at school.

I would highly recommend this graphic novel to anyone looking for a unique read, it is penned by Alicia Keys and the title comes from her chart-topping song of the same title. It is suitable for younger teens and anyone looking for a nail-biting, action packed read.

Emma Daly