Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce, Vita Ayala, & Sam Beck

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Song of the Lioness

Authors: Original Story Tamora Pierce, Graphic Novel Adaptation by Vita Ayala, Artwork by Sam Beck

Copyright: 2025

Publisher: Simultaneous Publications

ISBN: 9781419765582

Format: Graphic Novel

Genre: Fantasy/LGBTQIA+/ Retelling

Awards: None yet

Reading/Interest Level: 12+

Plot Summary:

Alana and her twin brother both have dreams beyond their fathers expectation. Her brother wants to go to school to study magic while she is determined to become a night! One problem the kingdom does not allow girls to become nights. Alana will not let this stop her, thus Alan is born. After cutting their hair Alana travels to the city and begins training. Along the way Alan meets new friends and discovers how to find their place in the kingdom and within their heart. Alan/Alana are stronger than they know and

for their own good as mysterious magical events threaten the kingdoms safety.

Author Background:

Tamora Pierce began writing stories in the 6th grade and was passionate about fantasy stories, after graduating from University of Pennsylvania she wrote The Song of the Lioness. She has over 27 published works with more to come, keep you eyes out! https://www.tamora-pierce.net/

Vita Ayala is a trans nonbinary author from New York. They are both a prose and a graphic novel writer and have written for publishers such as Abrams, Black Mask Studios, DC (comics), Dynamite, IDW, Image Comics, Macmillan, Marvel Comics, Realm, Valiant, and Vault Comics. Finders//Keepers is coming soon be ready for

more of Vita's writing! https://definitelyvita.com/

Sam Beck is an illustrator living in Toronto. Some of the comic book studios she has worked with include Dark Horse, Vault Comics, and BOOM! Studios. In her work she likes to explore themes of identity and relationships in the fantasy genre. Peep her website for more of her beautiful and contemplative artwork! https://sambeck.ca/

Critical Evaluation:

I received this graphic novel as a digital ARC from NetGalley (Thanks NetGalley!). I read this on my eReader and the ARC did not yet have the color added to the artwork. Because of this I cannot yet comment of the quality of color usage within this graphic novel, however the artwork without the color is still absolutely breathtaking. I would recommend adding the physical copy of this graphic novel to your collection over the e-version as there are some full spreads that aren't done justice by advancing back and forth on an eReader.

I love that this graphic novel adaptation brings such a beloved YA classic back to life in such a pressing and relevant time! Alana presents such a relatable look into self discovery during a pivotal period of life! Song of the Lioness is about courage, strength, friendship, and acceptance told through a "period" of time that allows for readers to imagine and separate magic from realism. Alana is a perfect heroine for young readers to root for, to model, and to relate to. I am dying for the next installments of this masterpiece and cannot wait to add this to my library collection. I know teens will love this graphic novel. I think this book is important, creates spaces, and may encourage readers to explore more topics like this in other literature they may have felt reservations with before. Be ready to get your hands on this Graphic Novel May 15th!

Creative Use for Library Programming:

Blacksmithing- Alan learns how to make their own sword before learning to wield one. While blacksmithing may be less of a visible profession today it is still such a useful and vital part of history and our story! Bring your teens to a local blacksmith or invite a local blacksmith to the library! Teens can learn or witness what goes into blacksmithing and learn about modern vs. ancient blacksmithing practices and items.

RenFaire at the Library- Host a renaissance faire at the library or work with local RenFaire! Create a collection of renaissance/fantasy/medieval nonfiction and fiction resources for patrons of library and RenFaire folk to bring to the RenFaire. Whether at local Faire or in your own library dress Up, Live Action Roll Play, Feature local artists, musicians, and restaurants to get your HUZZAH on!

Speed Round Book Talk:

Mulan but Knights of the Round Table coded.

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:

While I would love to sat that this book has absolutely nothing that anyone could consider as challenging or inappropriate, I fear that this graphic novel may receive some backlash. What book doesn't these days! This book features a young girl trying to understand their changing body and the confines of their gender within their kingdom. Alana decides to become a Alan, a boy, who eventually needs to chest bind to fit in. Alan/Alana goes through gender dysphoria as they mature, experience life, and grapple with their identity. This is something that many teens queer or not go through and it so amazing that this book provides at least an outlet or scope for teens to see themselves and others through. This book demolishes otherness and loneliness. To attempt to silence this book and in turn these teens is extremely dismaying, unfortunately it is what is occurring in our society today. It is our job to highlight these stories to protect our teens and to make them feel safe in such a discriminative landscape.

Reason for Inclusion:

I am including this work because I think it presents everything that needs to be highlighted in YA literature. This book provides visibility and voice for a silenced community and does so in such a relevant way while using classic and beloved literature! Graphic Novels are vital and popular vehicle to present topics in a way that teens can and do gravitate to.

Check Out:

References:

Amazon. (n.d.). Song of the Lioness, Book 1: Alanna: A Graphic Novel Adaptation. [Photo]. Accessed April 2025 from https://www.amazon.com/Song-Lioness-Book-Graphic-Adaptation/dp/1419765582

Goodreads. (n.d.). Alanna: A Graphic Novel Adaptation. Accessed April 2025 from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217111923-alanna

Goodreads. (n.d.). Sam Beck. Accessed April 2025 from https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21517835.Sam_Beck

Goodreads. (n.d.). Tamora Pierce. Accessed April 2025 from https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8596.Tamora_Pierce

Goodreads. (n.d.). Vita Ayala. Accessed April 2025 from https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16130337.Vita_Ayala

Vita Ayala. (n.d.). About. Accessed April 2025 from https://definitelyvita.com/about

@annanguyen. (n.d.). Bardcore Medieval Style- Stantough Tavernwave. Spotify. [Playlist]. Accessed April 2025 from https://open.spotify.com/playlist/65OFX15A9FGfihlhBJ3dnu