Welcome back, fellow readers!
It's a new day, a new week, and a new post in celebration of the upcoming release (TOMORROW!) of a title that will not only entertain, but educate. It claims to be in the spirit of Judy Blume, and I can honestly say...I feel that. I remember when I read one of her infamous works (now turned movie!) in middle school and while it wasn't risqué it certainly covered some taboo topics that weren't openly spoken of...especially in private school! But I digress...let's get a little more on the story at hand, and then continue this conversation, shall we? Readers of all backgrounds, and persuasions, allow me to introduce today's book of choice...
by
Joy McCullough
9781534496262
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
About the book...
In the spirit of Judy Blume, this empowering and heartfelt middle grade novel celebrates finding yourself, making new friends, and standing up for what’s right as a girl becomes involved in menstrual activism.
Ever since a career-ending injury, former elite gymnast Eden has been feeling lost. To add insult to actual injury, her mom has been invited to present at her middle school’s career day, which would be fine except Mom’s company produces period products like pads and tampons. Having the whole school hear about it is total humiliation. And when Eden gets into a fight with a boy who won’t stop mocking her for it, she and her classmate Maribel both end up getting suspended.
Mom’s corporate executive job means she doesn’t have time to look after Eden while she’s suspended, so Eden is sent to volunteer at the food bank Maribel’s mom runs. There, she meets new friends who open her eyes to period poverty, the struggle that low-income people with periods have trying to afford menstrual products. Eden even meets a boy who gets periods. Witnessing how people fight for fair treatment inspires Eden to join the advocacy work.
But sewing pads to donate and pushing for free access to period products puts Eden at odds with her mom. Even so, Eden’s determined to hold onto the one thing that’s ignited her passion and drive since gymnastics. Can she stand her ground and make a real difference?
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...now back to our conversation.
I'm about to date myself here, but...back in my day, periods, menstrual cycles, and the whole lot were not openly discussed. It was something that happened, something that was endured, something that was private, and you hoped to holy-high-water you were prepared for when it did, or goodness forbid you had a mess on your hands and had to either change clothes, go home, or wear your sweatshirt tied around your waist to cover your lower half the rest of the day. Nowadays, it's different...maybe not the different to the level people are seeking, or even that is mentioned and demonstrated in this book, but changes are happening. In my field of work, I manage associates of various ages, and I can honestly say, I see the changes first hand, and have had to adjust my own way of thinking, of speaking and the ability to speak of this formally taboo subject. I mean, if an associate asks you for a pad or tampon because they just started, you can't shy away from the topic due to embarrassment; you have to face it head on with an encouraging smile, and assist as you can...or at least that's how I handle the situation. It's not that I am or was a prude...it just wasn't done that way when I was growing up.
Eden had her life mapped out for her, but when it was abruptly interrupted, she struggled...badly...and that's okay! She's human, and the dashing of what you thought was your ultimate dream can be earthshaking...but so can finding new dreams, new ways to help and be helped, and new people to support you on your way. Eden wasn't looking to ditch her old life, but she sure wasn't happy in it either. The time it took up, the lack of attention from her mom, the fly-by-night friends who were more acquaintances...it didn't add up to a happy Eden, so while the injury wasn't welcome...it sort of threw the necessary monkey-wrench into things for her to explore the world around her and make it more her own, while having her mind expanded to the world around her.
So for me, this book was an eye-opener! We all know how people struggle with covering basic living expenses and needs, but do you ever really think about those personal needs...and what about this taxing of products that those with female reproductive organs have no choice but to buy as a luxury? WTH?! I means seriously...the cost of everything has gone up...have you looked at these products recently? Just as bad as your toilet paper or paper towels, or worse even. Terms like period inequity, and menstruaters to be more inclusive, were new to me, and something definitely worthy of not only a shout out. It was a moving story, where bigger issues were handled with frankness AND care, but also educational for not only the current generation making moves, but for those going back, and back again to learn how to support the movements happening, and take part in the changes occurring.
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About the author...
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| Photograph © Joy McCullough-Carranza |
Joy McCullough writes books and plays from her home in the Seattle area, where she lives with her husband and two children. She is the author of the middle grade novels Across the Pond, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, Not Starring Zadie Louise, and Code Red and the picture books Harriet’s Ruffled Feathers, Champ and Major: First Dogs, and The Story of a Book. Her debut novel Blood Water Paint was longlisted for the National Book Award and was a William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist. Visit her at JoyMcCullough.com.
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