Moxie

Vivian Carter is a high school junior in a small Texas town where football reigns supreme and sexist dress codes go unchallenged. Inspired by her mother's rebellious past and riot grrrl memorabilia, she anonymously creates a feminist zine called Moxie and distributes it throughout her school. The zine sparks a movement as more female students begin speaking out against harassment, discrimination, and double standards. What starts as Vivian's solo project evolves into a collective uprising, with girls from different social circles joining forces to demand change at their school. Moxie chronicles the growth of a grassroots feminist movement through the eyes of a once-quiet teen who finds her voice. The narrative follows both Vivian's personal journey and the larger social transformation taking place within the halls of East Rockport High School. The novel explores themes of empowerment, solidarity, and the ways young people can challenge established systems. Through its portrayal of student activism, the book demonstrates how small acts of resistance can lead to meaningful cultural change.

Readers describe Moxie as an accessible introduction to feminism for teenagers, with many noting its relevance to current social issues. The story resonates with students who have experienced sexism in school settings. Liked: - Clear examples of everyday sexism teens face - Strong friendships between female characters - Practical examples of activism and standing up for beliefs - References to riot grrrl culture and zines - Diverse representation of supporting characters Disliked: - Some found the plot predictable - Main character's growth feels rushed - Several readers noted the feminist messages come across as heavy-handed - Male characters lack depth - Resolution feels too neat and unrealistic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,200+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) "Perfect for young readers just discovering feminism" - common sentiment across multiple review platforms "Oversimplifies complex issues" - recurring criticism in 2-3 star reviews

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📚 Author Jennifer Mathieu was inspired to write Moxie by her love of riot grrrl music and zine culture from the 1990s. 🎬 Amy Poehler directed and starred in the Netflix film adaptation of Moxie, which was released in 2021. ✊ The protagonist's mother's feminist activism is loosely based on the real-life Riot Grrrl movement, which began in Olympia, Washington, in the early 1990s. 📖 The zine-making scenes in the book reflect authentic DIY publishing techniques used by young activists in the pre-internet era, including cut-and-paste layouts and underground distribution methods. 🏆 Moxie won the 2017 Amelia Bloomer List award, which recognizes feminist literature for young readers.