Rules for Being a Girl

Marin Lospato is a high school student who excels academically and serves as co-editor of the school newspaper. Her life at the prestigious private school follows a predictable path until an incident with a teacher forces her to confront difficult truths about power dynamics and gender expectations. As Marin begins speaking out about her experiences, she faces both support and backlash from her community. She starts examining and writing about the unwritten rules that dictate how girls are expected to behave in school and society. Through journalism, activism, and personal reflection, Marin challenges the status quo at her school while navigating changing friendships and romantic relationships. Her campaign for awareness leads her to discover her own voice and strength. The novel tackles themes of feminism, institutional power, and the cost of speaking truth in environments designed to maintain silence. It examines how young women must often choose between conformity and authenticity when confronting systemic inequalities.

Readers describe this book as a fast-paced YA novel that addresses sexual harassment in schools. Many note it serves as a conversation starter for teens about power dynamics and feminism. Readers appreciated: - Clear, accessible writing style for young adults - Realistic portrayal of high school dynamics - Strong female friendship representation - Direct handling of timely issues Common criticism: - Plot points felt predictable - Characters came across as one-dimensional - Some found the messaging heavy-handed - Several noted it borrowed heavily from similar YA novels Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (250+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) One reader noted: "Important message but reads like an after-school special." Another stated: "Perfect for introducing younger readers to feminist concepts without being overwhelming."

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu A high school student creates an anonymous zine to fight back against sexist school policies and finds her voice as a feminist.

Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson Two best friends start a Women's Rights Club at their progressive NYC high school when they encounter discrimination and resistance from administrators.

Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach The story follows a student journalist who faces backlash after writing an article about sexism when she loses the editor-in-chief position to a less qualified male peer.

What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon The book exposes how schools and society perpetuate harmful biases against female bodies through a teenager's personal experiences with dress codes and discrimination.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson A rising teen musician must navigate power dynamics and exploitation in the music industry while finding her own strength to speak up.

🔖 Co-author Katie Cotugno has written multiple acclaimed young adult novels, including "How to Love" and "99 Days" 📚 The book explores themes similar to those in Bushnell's most famous work, "Sex and the City," but adapts them for a teen audience ✍️ Candace Bushnell based some elements of the story on her own high school experiences and observations of power dynamics in educational settings 📖 The novel was partly inspired by the #MeToo movement and aims to empower young women to speak up against inappropriate behavior 🎭 The main character Marin's love of classic literature, particularly Jane Austen, serves as both a plot device and commentary on how gender roles have evolved (or haven't) since those books were written