When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

In an alternate version of 1950's America a sudden and shocking event took place that everyone tried to pretend didn't happen and forbid it to happen again. Thousands of women couldn't contain their voice any longer - their eyes turned gold, their bodies transformed and their wings took them to the skies as dragons. Some say the Feminist Movement began that day but we don't talk about it. Families were torn apart, marriages dissolved, laundry was left unfolded and children left to wonder what happened. Alex as a young child had been abandoned by her mother so when her aunt who had been her solid ground and raised her took to the skies it was too much. She was left motherless again with a baby sister (really her cousin) and after her father left them for another family , became an adult overnight. Beatrice is her stars and moon and with the help of a fierce librarian and a few others Alex manages to make it. This story could have been about dragons or revolutionaries the message is clear- be who you are meant to be whether it is as a woman, man or dragon and love who you are meant to love and most of all accept others in their choices. Kelly Barnhill has a delightful way of weaving a colorful story with a strong message into her fable. This first book for adults is as warm and clever as her middle grade novels and may entice a few readers to find their wings.  4 1/2 stars