English
6+
Historical Figure
Protest
Journalism
Free Speech
CW: Pet death, Daphne’s death mentioned in back matter.
Gattaldo
summary
I had never heard of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a journalist from the island of Malta, before seeing this book from Candlewick. Upon reading, I was flabbergasted that I’ve never heard of this amazing journalist working for free speech.
Daphne grew up with her family in Malta and became an activist at a young age, eventually marrying a fellow protestor and becoming a journalist. Daphne continued to work for social justice causes and write about political issues for her entire professional life.
In the back there is a timeline of Daphne’s life, a note from Gattaldo (who was a personal friend of Daphne’s), and a note about her death in 2017. A car bomb was planted into her vehicle and she was killed. I think it’s really important to talk about just how much of an effect that Daphne had on the Maltese press. She worked tirelessly and had her home graffitied and her pet murdered, among other things.
I’m really thrilled to have had the opportunity to read this book and learn more about Daphne’s story! She is definitely a role model for community organizers all around the world and is very much missed by her friends and family today.
This book was kindly sent by Candlewick Press, but all opinions are my own.
Gattaldo
Gattaldo is an award-winning creative director and illustrator who studied art in Florence. As a close friend of Daphne’s, he was inspired to create a book about her fearless journalism. He wrote and illustrated Fearless for children the world over to share. Gattaldo lives in London.
