BE STILL MY HEART! Holy crap this book was dynamite! I have not ever read a book that fired me up the way this book did. It made me feel empowered and ready to take on the world. AMAZING!
Short Recap: Vivian Carter is fed up with the sexist crap that is taking place at her small Texas school. Football rules and girls drool. The football players can do no wrong and they know it. Finally being pushed too far and inspired by her Mom’s 90s feminist zines and creates one of her own – Moxie. Is this enough to get the female population of East Rockport High School to rise up against the injustice that has them pressed between a rock and a hard place?
Hot damn this story was just so good! This is the type of book YA needs RIGHT NOW. Not just girls! Boys too should read this. Mathieu wrote a hell of a book that is sure to empower girls to speak their minds and stand up against what they feel is wrong. A copy of this book needs to be in the hands of everyone. I wish I could make that happen because I believe everyone needs to read this book.
Vivian’s character was brilliant. Her development throughout the course of the story was lovely to witness. She started out as a meek girl not wanting to cause waves and became this tough as nails female who would not put up with crap from anyone. She quickly became someone that figured out that if all of the females stood together, they would be a much stronger voice. She believed enough in what she was doing to risk her future and to me that spoke volumes. It even made me want to be as tough as her. I had problems with Vivi’s best friend, Claudia. For reasons that were not clearly explained, Claudia started to pull away from her lifetime BFF after Moxie made its first appearance and Vivi voiced how much she agreed with it. It seemed Claudia had serious issues with the other friends Vivi was making. Maybe that was just a fear of being replaced? No matter what, Claudia should have been big enough and confident enough in her friendship to talk to Vivi about it. It just stood out to me how petty she was being.
Growing up in small town America (my home town had less than 600 people and I graduated with only 27 people in my class), I can confirm that Mathieu nailed small town life. She has a gift for portraying this perfectly. It hit me harder and made me more uncomfortable to actually see it in print, but it was still true. Small towns thrive on football and those that play are treated as if they can do no wrong. That is no environment for young girls to grow up in because it gives a warped sense of reality. No girl should have to grow up thinking that they are the cause for a boy’s distraction. That made me so mad, moreso because it is so true. The message within the pages of this book are just so damn powerful.
I really am at a loss for what else I can say about this outstanding and powerful book without giving too much away. I really, really, want everyone to read this! Always remember that this is not a female-only story – it is for men too! It is for everyone with an open mind and a willing heart to stand up for what is right and just. I wish I could buy everyone a copy so they can share with others. Please, read this now and let me know your thoughts. I want to hear what you think!
MOXIE GIRLS FIGHT BACK!!
A Gingerly Review 