Review: Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Collaborative feature with Alexa. We read ARCs together and post our reviews on the same date.

Moxie by Jennifer Matheiu
pub 9/19/17 by Roaring Brook Press
Young Adult - Contemporary
Received ARC from pub

Plot • Vivian Carter is sick of her small-town Texas high school with its sexist dress codes, a football team that can get away with anything, and a school administration that does absolutely nothing to help, much less stop it. But for most of it, she's been a quiet bystander. Until she gets inspired by mom's rebellious punk rock ways from when she was a Riot Grrl in the 90s. Viv impulsively, and anonymously, creates a feminist zine to distribute amongst her classmates and the response is unexpected. Her fellow female students are not only into it but unknowingly help her make it a moment at the school.

Characters • Viv Carter is kind of my hero. She's introduced as the "good girl" who always follows the rules and prefers to remain behind the scenes. It's her role among her family and her friends. But that doesn't mean she's without emotions or strong opinions and I loved that she took a chance with putting this zine out there. Granted, it's anonymous but it was a still a risk to put her thoughts and creativity out into the open. The zine opened up conversations and doors to new friendships. Aside from Viv, I liked that Mathieu introduced so many different types of women who all seem to fit into a certain mold from the outside, but proves that you just don't know until you sit and talk with that individual. We all have things going on our lives. I also loved Viv's family and there is a boy to swoon over too, who again doesn't fit the mold but is also a flawed human being. Almost every person in this book is but they grow and learn from their mistakes.

Writing • I've read all of Jennifer Mathieu's books and I have typically described her writing as quietly powerful and this one is no exception. She tackles such different topics in every book but always provides this intense level of emotion, detail and honesty in each. She continually impresses me and I can't wait to see what she tackles next.

Overall feelings • Absolutely loved it. This is a book that left me feeling empowered and at times, emotional. I want every high school girl, maybe even women of all ages, to read this and remember to stand up for what you believe in.

Favorite female empowerment song? • "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera