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bookph1le's review
5.0
This book gets two very enthusiastic thumbs up--with hearts and stars drawn all over my hands, of course.
There are so many things I loved about this book. It's the kind of book that gets you all fired up as you read, that makes you want to put together your own protest sign so that you're ready for the next Women's March. It does such an amazing job of framing feminism in a contemporary context and explaining why it's not a relic from the 90s that has no relevance to current high schoolers. I'm a product of the 90s myself and I find it both depressing and enraging that girls in 2018 are still experiencing the same kind of bullshit I put up with in high school.
What's more, I thought the book was thoughtful in the way it addressed the many facets and problems with feminism, especially as to intersectionality. The book doesn't get super deep into those issues, but it is very pointed when it comes to things like white privilege, and the ways that feminism needs to improve because in the past (and, sadly, sometimes in this day and age) it has prioritized straight, cis-gendered white feminism over women of color and queer women. It also touches upon the racial divides that still exist in our society, divides that are in some ways more insidious today because they're more invisible--though this isn't always the case in our current American atmosphere, where some people feel emboldened to trot out the racism, sexism, Islamophobia, homophobia, and transphobia they once felt was safer to hide.
I also really like that this book doesn't view girls through a single lens. Not every girl in this book--just like not every girl in our current world--is on board with the concept of feminism. Some of them are thoroughly enmeshed in the patriarchy that was specifically designed to keep them in their place. I like that we get to see some of the girls struggle with feminism and how it fits into their life, that for some of them it's a gradual awakening, with them learning to spot the underlying structures working to maintain women's second class citizen status.
The romance is also more than worthy of a mention because it's more complex. I do wish that it had been a bit more developed in that I would have liked to see Seth and Viv connecting on a deeper level. There's a lot of making out and swooning, which, let's face it, happens with both adult and teen romances when they're new, but I would have liked a better sense of what each saw in the other. Still, I really loved that Viv and Seth have to learn to communicate, and that even though Seth doesn't think of himself as a sexist, he also has to learn how deeply ingrained misogynist beliefs have affected him.
If there was one thing I didn't entirely love about the book, it was Viv's mom. I like that the book isn't presenting anything in a simple manner, and that it's so nuanced in all its facets, but I was disappointed that Viv's mom wasn't more supportive of what her daughter was doing.
Otherwise, this was a book that got me very fired up, one I want to share with every teenage girl I know. What's more, I want to share it with all the teenage guys too, because just as girls are expected to put themselves in guys' shoes and try to understand them, there also needs to be an expectation that guys learn how to empathize with girls. The only way I can imagine reaching a better, more equitable place for all is when people in general learn how to stop "othering" those whose gender or skin tone or sexual preference or religion differ from theirs, instead focusing on the thing that unites us all: our humanity.
Moxie Girls Fight Back
There are so many things I loved about this book. It's the kind of book that gets you all fired up as you read, that makes you want to put together your own protest sign so that you're ready for the next Women's March. It does such an amazing job of framing feminism in a contemporary context and explaining why it's not a relic from the 90s that has no relevance to current high schoolers. I'm a product of the 90s myself and I find it both depressing and enraging that girls in 2018 are still experiencing the same kind of bullshit I put up with in high school.
What's more, I thought the book was thoughtful in the way it addressed the many facets and problems with feminism, especially as to intersectionality. The book doesn't get super deep into those issues, but it is very pointed when it comes to things like white privilege, and the ways that feminism needs to improve because in the past (and, sadly, sometimes in this day and age) it has prioritized straight, cis-gendered white feminism over women of color and queer women. It also touches upon the racial divides that still exist in our society, divides that are in some ways more insidious today because they're more invisible--though this isn't always the case in our current American atmosphere, where some people feel emboldened to trot out the racism, sexism, Islamophobia, homophobia, and transphobia they once felt was safer to hide.
I also really like that this book doesn't view girls through a single lens. Not every girl in this book--just like not every girl in our current world--is on board with the concept of feminism. Some of them are thoroughly enmeshed in the patriarchy that was specifically designed to keep them in their place. I like that we get to see some of the girls struggle with feminism and how it fits into their life, that for some of them it's a gradual awakening, with them learning to spot the underlying structures working to maintain women's second class citizen status.
The romance is also more than worthy of a mention because it's more complex. I do wish that it had been a bit more developed in that I would have liked to see Seth and Viv connecting on a deeper level. There's a lot of making out and swooning, which, let's face it, happens with both adult and teen romances when they're new, but I would have liked a better sense of what each saw in the other. Still, I really loved that Viv and Seth have to learn to communicate, and that even though Seth doesn't think of himself as a sexist, he also has to learn how deeply ingrained misogynist beliefs have affected him.
If there was one thing I didn't entirely love about the book, it was Viv's mom. I like that the book isn't presenting anything in a simple manner, and that it's so nuanced in all its facets, but I was disappointed that Viv's mom wasn't more supportive of what her daughter was doing.
Otherwise, this was a book that got me very fired up, one I want to share with every teenage girl I know. What's more, I want to share it with all the teenage guys too, because just as girls are expected to put themselves in guys' shoes and try to understand them, there also needs to be an expectation that guys learn how to empathize with girls. The only way I can imagine reaching a better, more equitable place for all is when people in general learn how to stop "othering" those whose gender or skin tone or sexual preference or religion differ from theirs, instead focusing on the thing that unites us all: our humanity.
Moxie Girls Fight Back
jjamolibros's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alayna017's review
3.0
Received this in a GR giveaway!
This was a good book about a terrible high school! It’s been a while since I’ve been in high school, so I forget how awful it can be! I liked the way the Moxie girls came together to fight, learning how to stick together.
It did get a little bit teen angst-y and that’s not really what I love to read. Otherwise, it’s a good story!
Watch the Netflix movie, but don’t skip the book!
This was a good book about a terrible high school! It’s been a while since I’ve been in high school, so I forget how awful it can be! I liked the way the Moxie girls came together to fight, learning how to stick together.
It did get a little bit teen angst-y and that’s not really what I love to read. Otherwise, it’s a good story!
Watch the Netflix movie, but don’t skip the book!
vimki's review
5.0
MOXIE GIRLS FIGHT BACK! aaaaah i absolutely loved this book!!! it made me feel so empowered and happy. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!
isabel0_0's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
ME ENCANTO!!🤩
LAS CHICAS MOXIE SON GUERRERAS‼️
LAS CHICAS MOXIE SON GUERRERAS‼️
bibliobrandie's review
5.0
Moxie girls fight back!
Riots not diets!
SO many students have told me, "You HAVE to read this book." I don't know why I waited so long. This story is set in a high school in Texas overflowing with toxic male masculinity. Girls regularly get shamed for their clothes but guys get to wear really inappropriate shirts without consequence. Girls experience sexual harassment and assault regularly and are told to just "calm down" if they object. Boys sports have all the latest and best gear while the girls have bake sales for their needs.
I loved Viv. I loved her mom. I loved just about everything in this YA feminist grrl revolution. It was heartwarming and infuriating and had me cheering throughout and clapping at the end. I appreciated how Viv's relationship with Seth showed the complicated nature of discovering your feminist views while at the same time being in a relationship with a guy for the first time...even if they are one of the "good" guys. Also, this was my high school. This book shows how powerful women can be when they unite and support one another. This book made me happy.
Riots not diets!
SO many students have told me, "You HAVE to read this book." I don't know why I waited so long. This story is set in a high school in Texas overflowing with toxic male masculinity. Girls regularly get shamed for their clothes but guys get to wear really inappropriate shirts without consequence. Girls experience sexual harassment and assault regularly and are told to just "calm down" if they object. Boys sports have all the latest and best gear while the girls have bake sales for their needs.
I loved Viv. I loved her mom. I loved just about everything in this YA feminist grrl revolution. It was heartwarming and infuriating and had me cheering throughout and clapping at the end. I appreciated how Viv's relationship with Seth showed the complicated nature of discovering your feminist views while at the same time being in a relationship with a guy for the first time...even if they are one of the "good" guys. Also, this was my high school. This book shows how powerful women can be when they unite and support one another. This book made me happy.
every_cloud's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kaikai1618's review
5.0
Since I'm seeing the movie trailers going around for the adaptation to this book, I wanted to revisit my old review from 2018 in 2021. This book found me at a good place in my life when I didn't understand feminism and didn't identify with the label even while my gender identity was female. Books like this are great because they make important concepts more digestible for younger audiences. This was a book that really affected my view of feminism and the kind of power I held when I identified as a woman. I was more empowered by this book than I'd been in by any in a long time.
2018 Review:
I simply love this book. This is definitely the most inspiring book I've read in a while, if not the most inspiring. This book officially made me a feminist.
It's been so long since I've been into the spirt of a book where I'm pumping my fist, and I'm participating in the moment with the book.
EVERYTHING WAS FANTASTIC I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!
I the way this was written was so easy to get into, and the pacing I think was really good. It wasn't way too fast, but it went at the pace of a strong walk. It felt powerful and like everything was purposeful. It addressed so many issues that girls face, and the way that serious issues can be overlooked or misunderstood. Certain boys are treated as being untouchable and are passed for all their inexcusable behavior. We also see how girls need to bypass social and racial boundaries. In the end we are all people with struggles.
But I never got bored. Instead, I felt energized and proud as a girl. To speak out. To fight. To be.
If there was something this book captured perfectly it was spirit.
After reading this I feel like I've learned more about daily struggles of girls and women. I also feel like I really got something from this book, and that I am extremely proud to be a MOXIE GIRL.
What a great book for people everywhere. I want millions of teenagers to read this.
MOXIE GIRLS FIGHT BACK!
Read this book, it's absolutely brilliant.
I'm going to go on some feminist blogs from the Author's Note now.
2018 Review:
I simply love this book. This is definitely the most inspiring book I've read in a while, if not the most inspiring. This book officially made me a feminist.
It's been so long since I've been into the spirt of a book where I'm pumping my fist, and I'm participating in the moment with the book.
EVERYTHING WAS FANTASTIC I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!
I the way this was written was so easy to get into, and the pacing I think was really good. It wasn't way too fast, but it went at the pace of a strong walk. It felt powerful and like everything was purposeful. It addressed so many issues that girls face, and the way that serious issues can be overlooked or misunderstood. Certain boys are treated as being untouchable and are passed for all their inexcusable behavior. We also see how girls need to bypass social and racial boundaries. In the end we are all people with struggles.
But I never got bored. Instead, I felt energized and proud as a girl. To speak out. To fight. To be.
If there was something this book captured perfectly it was spirit.
After reading this I feel like I've learned more about daily struggles of girls and women. I also feel like I really got something from this book, and that I am extremely proud to be a MOXIE GIRL.
What a great book for people everywhere. I want millions of teenagers to read this.
MOXIE GIRLS FIGHT BACK!
Read this book, it's absolutely brilliant.
I'm going to go on some feminist blogs from the Author's Note now.
thepetitepunk's review
4.0
I’ve been seeing this book at stores for quite a few years now, but finally picked it up because I saw Netflix made a movie adaption.
The best part of Moxie was definitely it’s themes. This is an empowering feminist book that covers quite a vast amount of social issues; even if some topics are only briefly discussed, I was still impressed with how much was put into this book. I also loved the inspiration from the Riot Grrrl movement—and the criticisms of the movement not always being entirely inclusive was such a great touch.
My only complaint was that at some points the book was a tiiiiiny bit boring and it therefore took me a bit longer than usual to finish, but overall I was impressed! The end of the book was pretty strong too and there were a couple scenes that definitely made me tear up. I would recommend this to anyone who likes contemporary YA books that have serious themes but aren’t completely doom and gloom and unbearably heavy.
[side note: throwback to the time where I had the opportunity to see the reunion of Bikini Kill at a festival but then got too tired and went home early. many regrets.]
The best part of Moxie was definitely it’s themes. This is an empowering feminist book that covers quite a vast amount of social issues; even if some topics are only briefly discussed, I was still impressed with how much was put into this book. I also loved the inspiration from the Riot Grrrl movement—and the criticisms of the movement not always being entirely inclusive was such a great touch.
My only complaint was that at some points the book was a tiiiiiny bit boring and it therefore took me a bit longer than usual to finish, but overall I was impressed! The end of the book was pretty strong too and there were a couple scenes that definitely made me tear up. I would recommend this to anyone who likes contemporary YA books that have serious themes but aren’t completely doom and gloom and unbearably heavy.
[side note: throwback to the time where I had the opportunity to see the reunion of Bikini Kill at a festival but then got too tired and went home early. many regrets.]