Free Period
by Ali Terese (Author)
This middle-grade Moxie centering period equity is Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret for the next generation!
"Absolute fire." -- Book Riot
Helen and Gracie are pranking their way through middle school when a stinky stunt lands them in the front office -- again. Because nothing else has curbed their chaos, the principal orders the best friends to do the unthinkable: care about something. So they join the school's Community Action Club with plans to do as little as humanly possible.
But when Helen is caught unprepared by an early period and bleeds through her pants -- they were gold lamé! -- the girls take over the club's campaign for maxi pads in bathrooms for all students who menstruate. In the name of period equity, the two friends use everything from over-the-top baked goods to glitter gluing for change. But nothing can prepare them for a clueless school board (ew), an annoying little sister (ugh), and crushes (oh my!).
As Helen and Gracie find themselves closer to change and in deeper trouble than ever before, they must decide if they care enough to keep going . . . even if it costs them their friendship.
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Kirkus
Publishers Weekly
Academic genius Helen and glitter-, baking-, and costume-obsessed Gracie are best friends. They're also the queens of practical joking at their middle school. But after they're caught executing a stinky prank that leads to the school canceling a much-anticipated pep rally, the girls are forced to join the Community Action Club as recompense. What's worse is that the club is helmed by their nemesis, cheer captain and all-around do-gooder Madison. When the duo learn that the club is working on getting period products put in school bathrooms, Gracie, who loves to talk about menstruation, and Helen, who'd rather pretend it doesn't exist, are immediately on board. The white-coded tweens' humor-laced alternating POVs occasionally read too similarly, and their quirks often overshadow character growth. Still, via Helen and Gracie's individual experiences, debut author Terese spins a rollicking and timely tale of period equity in which eighth graders on the cusp of big change learn how to collaborate with others and how to use their creative, intellectual, and mayhem-causing talents to enact meaningful change. Ages 8-12. Agent: Miranda Paul, Erin Murphy Literary. (Mar.)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Praise for Free Period:
This book is the period equity anthem we've been waiting generations to read. It glitters with humor and shows us the power that comes from staring down injustice. Free Period is about to start something BIG. - Carrie Firestone, author of Dress Coded
A funny and fast-paced story about two steadfast best friends who refuse to go with the flow. It has everything I love: friendship, family drama, and first crushes, plus period equity, loyalty, and standing up for what you believe in. A smart book! - Debbi Michiko Florence, author of Keep it Together, Keiko Carter
This book is a MUST READ. I absolutely adored it! - Lisa Greenwald, author of the TBH series
This spirited coming-of-age story brings menstruation and period equity to the fore... Punchy, electric, and smart social commentary. - Kirkus Reviews
Absolute fire...I was really blown away by how such a fun story managed to pack so much punch, imparting lessons not only about menstrual equity but also about friendship and the various ways there are to engage in activism. - Book Riot
JUV039020 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Adolescence
JUV039290 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Activism & Social Justice
Social change
Middle school students
Social aspects
Menstruation
Menstrual productsn
Menstrual products
