Feather

Nicknamed Feather, Paulina gives up playing piano to train as a boxer; her older brothers use feats of strength like arm wrestling to determine who does the chores, and she's tired of doing all the laundry, ironing, and cleaning. "In the weeks that followed, Feather won more fights against her brothers," writes French author-illustrator Courgeon. "Which meant fewer chores. And fewer chores meant more time to train." Paulina's frustrations and determination are palpable, but the story is also notable for what goes unsaid and unseen. Paulina's training starts after she gets a black eye; she won't say who gave it to her, and readers never find out. Her mother is absent, but Paulina finds a photo of her tucked inside her gloves before her big fight, along with supportive notes from her brothers. Paulina gives up boxing after winning that fight--she's made her point. Elegant and melancholic, Courgeon's posterlike images suit the mood of a story whose subtle details (of her father, a Russian miner turned cab driver: "Feather could see how tired he really was") create an intimate connection between readers and a girl who forges her own path. Ages 6-9. (Aug.)

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2017
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of 2018
A 2018 CCBC Choice
With its bold colors and vivacious lines, Courgeon's stylish, poster-like art is full of small, exquisite details that reveal poignant aspects of Paulina's story, creating a deep emotional connection with a heroine who's a fighter in more than one sense.—The New York Times
 
...this is a picture book about a girl who learns to fight and stand up for herself and who earns the respect of the men in her life. Yet to describe it thus, in hackneyed terms of female empowerment, is to overlook the gentle power and intelligence of this particular telling. Paulina's triumph is distinctive, personal and refined. Mr. Courgeon's shaggy prints (see left), meanwhile, are composed in a striking way that now and then brings to mind the work of Matisse.—Meghan Cox Gurdon, The Wall Street Journal

A story of courage, dedication, contradiction, and love. [...] A surprise beneath the dust jacket reveals a "Prize Fight" poster featuring Paulina and her brothers, furthering the ambiguous message that is both critical and celebratory of the violence the story presents.—Elisa Gall, The Horn Book
"The illustrations radiate...with a color palette that catches the eye, considerate portraits of each character, and bold poster-like graphics. The attention to detail creates a stunning connection between the words and the story... Feather is a tenacious character and book that brings a beautiful example of self propelled strength..." —The Reading Ninja

"Let's start with that bold cover. Already we're made aware of Feather's strength, her spirit and unwavering determination. We see it in her direct stare, her ready stance. We're curious about the curl in her hair. She's a fighter, that's clear, and she bestows a graceful quality. She's someone we want to know more about. [...] Illustration and typography merge beautifully in Courgeon's work. [...] Feather feels like a classic, one to hold dear throughout the generations." —Summer Te Ariki, Reading Is Our Thing