Calamity Before Jane

Calamity Jane and the stories surrounding her are famous, but this graphic novel for young readers aged 8 and up tells the real story of Martha Jane Canary—also known as Cannary—a survivor, an orphan, and the storyteller behind the legend. Set against the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, the book peels away myths to reveal a woman whose life was marked by struggle, resilience, and change as the American West transformed around her. Cartoonist Noah Van Sciver brings the truth to life with clear, approachable art and careful storytelling, presenting a historical portrait that respects the facts while engaging new readers. In 56 pages, this TOON Graphic title offers a poignant, accessible entry into 19th-century American biography and history through a modern, humane lens.