Book Review – Moxie

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
Narrator: Suzy Jackson
Published by Roaring Brook Press on September 19th 2017
Length: 8 hours 54 minutes
Genres: Bullying, Emotions & Feelings, Girls & Women, Social Themes, Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 336
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads

Moxie girls fight back!

Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with her small-town Texas high school that thinks the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes and hallway harassment. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.

Viv’s mom was a punk rock Riot Grrrl in the ’90s, so now Viv takes a page from her mother’s past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. She’s just blowing off steam, but other girls respond. Pretty soon Viv is forging friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, and she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.

Lynn’s Review:

I’m not normally one of those people who is easily riled. But this time? I’m riled. Screaming from the rooftop. Telling you to read this book. And to tell everyone you know to read this book.

Via Giphy

As an adult, especially as an adult without kids, I’m always outraged when I read that another teenage girl being told to cover up because some stupid boy can’t control himself. But then, I do nothing. Because what really am I supposed to do? Well, this is what I’m doing. Reviewing this book, and spreading the word.

Vivian is the main character in Moxie. She’s the daughter of a former Riot Grrrl from the 90’s. I like to think of Viv’s mom as Kat from 10 Things I Hate About You, listening to Bikini Kill, getting into trouble.

Via Giphy

But Viv? She’s the good girl. The quite one, sitting in the back of the classroom, uncomfortable with speaking out in school, not wanting to make a scene. This is what really strikes me as important about Vivian. That even the quiet girls can make a difference. Especially quiet girls who are outraged. And I loved every minute I was with her, reading her story. Throughout the novel, she discovers her inner-strength and feminism.

“it occurs to me that this is what it means to be a feminist. Not a humanist or an equalist or whatever. But a feminist. It’s not a bad word. After today it might be my favorite word. Because really all it is is girls supporting each other and wanting to be treated like human beings in a world that’s always finding ways to tell them they’re not.”

And more importantly, she discovers that girls should be supporting each other. Not pushing each other down.

The plot of Moxie both amazes and outrages me. I am amazed at how Ms. Mathieu plots the novel. Viv grows as a character, finding confidence in herself. Her relationships with her mother, friends, and boyfriend develop and flourish. I’m outraged that teenage girls have these experiences every day. That is insane. The girls of Moxie band together and take a stand against the boys who treat girls as objects and the administration who turn a blind eye. There is one scene in particular (that I won’t spoil) I had CHILLS while listening. CHILLS people. That’s real feelings. And takes an impressive author to make me feel so strongly. 

The narration of Moxie is amazing. Ms. Jackson has a knack for capturing each of the characters. Her voices range from teenage girls, parents, teachers and administrators, to teenage boys. Seth (Viv’s boyfriend) is especially well done, with the lower register and inflection that really feels like a teenager.

Turn up some angry music and go out and get yourself a copy of this book, pronto. And share it with everyone you know. That’s what I’m going to do. And always remember

Moxie Girls Fight Back!

 

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