Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech by Gattaldo
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536219185
Pages: 32
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

While the story of Daphne Caruana Galizia is absolutely one that needs to be told, it might have to be handled a little more delicately than it is in this book. Galizia was a journalist in Malta whose bravery and refusal to be silenced, both through her peaceful protests and her journalism, eventually led to her death. This book reads as though it is written for young children and, while I firmly believe small kids can handle most anything when it’s explained well, the book is very vague and frightening (although sometimes the fright works; there is a phenomenal illustration of the men in power as a Hydra). There are almost no details about what Galizia was fighting so hard to uncover and report but there are details such as her dog being killed in retaliation against her.  It doesn’t mention her untimely death unless you read an additional section in the back, and if you do, my worry is that the message is that fighting for free speech can potentially lead to the death of your pets and, ultimately, a bomb being placed under your car. Galizia was amazing and her story needs to be known and shared but the book’s tone just isn’t quite right for its intended audience.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath