Started Out My Sunday with a Little Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Over a week ago, I picked up Jennifer Mathieu's Moxie, as it was sent to be by friends at Roaring Brook Press and I wanted to tap into a different genre of YA text that I know that has received a lot of praise from many of the adolescent girls I work with. The story, one of a group of girls coming together to fight the patriarchal machismo at their school is one that was reported to me as resonate to high school female readers. I wanted to see what the story was about and, spending yesterday morning to complete it, I totally understand why it has been a hit. The pro-grrrrrl, tear-down-the-traditions that exploit young females, story delivered as I knew it would. I loved the Zine handouts that stirred a revolution and instantly thought of 100s of girls I've taught (and boys, too) that would love Mathieu's book.

Given politics as they are now with current administration and the #MeToo movement, I totally understand why this book is getting a lot of press amongst teachers, book lovers, and agentive young women wishing to change the cultures of their schools. The arrogance and entitlements of male athletes in post-secondary culture, I feel, make sense, especially for young girls that get tired of the way their schools treat them and position them as 2nd class citizens in relation to the 'icons' of their schools.

I'm not sure this is one of the greatest YA novels I've read, but I totally see its place in the curriculum and know exactly the students I will pass it along, too. I'm a better man for reading Jennifer Mathieu's book and love how it sparks conversation, debate, frustration, and knowledge. I hope there are many books like this for our students to read. They need this, especially as they try to find the voice to challenge the cultured designed to exploit them.

Ah, but it's Monday already. Really? How did that happen so fast?