Red Scare

April 4, 2022
Set in 1953, Walsh’s debut is an action-packed, period-oriented thriller that
follows student Peggy, who is recovering from polio and uses forearm crutches, as she finds a glowing red object that allows her to fly—and draws FBI interest. Alongside her family’s struggle to make ends meet and the bullying that she endures at school, Peggy’s white-presenting community obsessively fears communism’s potential impact. Government emissaries pursue a purported Russian agent locally, and tensions rise when new kid Jess is outed as being the daughter of a communist. Walsh takes on complex themes, but a lack of nuanced characterization undercuts key scenes, as when Peggy’s largely off-page veteran father, who lives with PTSD after losing two legs and an eye in the Korean War, defends Jess’s father from a mob with a sudden monologue about the dangers of abandoning American principles—one that paints violence as inconsistent with U.S. history. The story nevertheless maintains a strong tempo throughout, mixing polished Tintin–style characterizations with a feel of classic comic noir to communicate the era’s unease. Back matter provides further context about the time period, polio, and the artist’s process. Ages 8–12. Agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House.

May 15, 2022
Grades 4-7 At the height of the Red Scare in the U.S., Peggy, who needs to use crutches since she contracted polio, is struggling to fit in. Her twin brother's been acting strange ever since their dad returned home from the war in Korea a double amputee. Meanwhile, FBI agents are in pursuit of an enigmatic man in a trench coat, who possesses a mysterious technology that might be a weapon. When Peggy accidentally crosses paths with the FBI's target, he hides the tech in her crutch; shortly thereafter, Peggy discovers some miraculous new abilities. With art clearly inspired by Tintin, with clear, stylized line work and saturated colors, Walsh builds a twisting plot combining sf tropes with a tumultuous period in U.S. history. Peggy's friendship with a new neighbor whose father is embroiled in the panic over communism makes her evaluate her own relationship to the national culture of fear, and her family's adjustment to her father's transformed, complicated presence is a moving subplot. Fans of historical fiction and classic sf adventure comics will find plenty to like here.

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Starred review from June 24, 2022

Gr 4 Up-Peggy is growing up in 1953, and the world feels like a sad and scary place. She is one of many people recovering from polio, and she still isn't strong enough to walk without crutches. Her school life is unhappy because of the bullies who won't leave her alone. Her home life is unhappy because her father's life was ruined by the Korean War. And the news is filled with stories about Communist spies and UFOs. When Peggy discovers a strange glowing object that can make her fly, it feels like this artifact might be the answer to many of her problems, but in fact, having it puts her life in danger from everyone who wants to take it from her. This graphic novel will pull readers into an immersive story that combines the "better dead than red" mentality with edge-of-your-seat action. The story is filled with period details like students practicing how to "duck and cover" and Peggy having nightmares about being in an iron lung. Walsh's artwork is colorful and often breathtaking, with panels of all shapes and sizes that capture the energy of the story. VERDICT For readers who enjoy a mix of historical fiction, science fiction, and heart-pounding suspense.-Andrea Lipinski

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