Moxie: Girls Fight Back!

Moxie
Written by Jennifer Mathieu
Feminism, Contemporary
340 Pages
Published September 26th 2017
Thank you to Hachette Australia
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★★★★★
Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with her high school teachers who think the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes, hallway harassment and gross comments from guys during class. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.

Viv's mum was a tough as nails, punk rock Riot Grrrl in the nineties, and now Viv takes a page from her mother's past and creates Moxie, a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. She's just blowing off steam, but other girls respond and spread the Moxie message. As Viv forges friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, she realises that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.
In the small maritime southern town, the young women of East Rockport are exasperated by the contrasting principles enforced by the teaching facility. Blatant chauvinism and discrimination, young women withstanding abuse within the misogynistic environment. Sixteen year old Vivian Carter is appalled and inspired by the misspent youth of her mother, creating a feminist zine to empower young women.

Enduring blatant sexism and prejudice, institutionalised and commonplace within the small coastal community. Vivian is an exemplary young woman, compassionate, intelligent and captivated by her mother and her rambunctious youth where feminism redefined as intersectional feminism, the inclusion of multiracial, sexually and gender diverse alliances between women.

And it's not just one type of girl but all kinds. Jocks and loud girls and girls on the yearbook and quiet girls and black girls and white girls and brown girls.

Male athletes are immortalised by the East Rockport community, patriarchal masculinity unchallenged while young men wear sexist, sexually offensive slogans, ridiculing defamation and sexual assault. Unaccountable for their behaviour. Furthermore to feminist ideals and gender equality, the young women of East Rockport are sexually assaulted and considered entertainment, groped, molested and male behaviour absolved. Mitchell Wilson is a misogynistic chauvinist and absolutely infuriating.

Please remember that when you get dressed in the morning, you're coming to a learning environment, and we expect you to be dressed as a student, not a distraction.

Moxie is a clandestinely published feminist zine created to encourage the empowerment and solidarity of young women. Discovering feminism and gender equality is a journey, arising from chauvinism and prejudice. Friend Lucy is a passionate young woman who is outspoken and vehement while Claudia is restrained and hesitant, contrasting Latin American characters. Claudia's initial reluctance encouraged confronting but considerate discussions on what constitutes sexism. Love interest Seth Acosta participates in the promotion of Moxie principals but is a subdued advocate for gender equality. His character felt insignificant but I appreciated his support and encouragement of Vivian. The diversity of characters also includes multiracial and same sex female relationships.

Moxie promotes feminism, advocating for equality in a patriarchal dominated environment by challenging ideals, provoking discussion and igniting passion. Inspiring, vehement and confident.

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20 comments

  1. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK and I am glad you absolutely loved this Kelly! I have it sitting on my shelf at the moment, but I will get to it at some point. Also I know for a fact that I will get downright angry at what's-his-face and the misogyny, which will most likely be reflected in my review hahah.

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    1. With the #metoo campaign on Twitter at the moment, it makes you realise how girls and women are subjected and expected to ensure everyday sexism. Moxie highlights how we're discriminated against and may not even be aware. Such a brilliant read.

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  2. I need to read this ASAP. I've been hearing nothing but wonderful things about it. I'm loving all the feminist themes here, and it sounds like they are approached really well. Can't wait!!

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    1. You'll absolutely love this one. It would have been nice to have included a little more intersectionality in terms of gender and race of characters but it's a brilliant read empowering young women nonetheless.

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  3. i have heard so much about this book! I do love her character already. .. no I haven't read it yet

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    1. You must ask at your local library Ailyn and see if they can order a copy in. Such a wonderful read.

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  4. Aaah this sounds like a great book Kelly! I haven't read any YA for a while but this one will definitely be going on my TBR (I'm sure I'll come back to it eventually) :) how fitting as well, given all that's going on right now when it comes to sexism.

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    1. It's brilliant timing, although it never really stops when it comes to sexism sadly. A wonderfully empowering read for young women.

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  5. I loved the relationship between Viv and her mom and how she viewed things differently from her friends at times.

    For What It's Worth

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    1. I enjoyed the contrast too Karen, so important to surround yourself with people with different opinions who challenge your ideals. A wonderful life lesson really.

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  6. How have I not heard of this before! Moxie sounds fanfriggingtastic and I must get my hands on a copy!

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    1. It's brilliant Sarah, such a wonderful story of female empowerment for young women. Would love to see what you think of it.

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  7. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, this book! I'm so frigging thrilled it's held up to all the promise in its blurb!! EEE!!

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    1. And then some Verushka. Even though there's a romance throughout the storyline, Vivian challenges the love interest's world view which I loved. She wasn't willing to stay quiet.

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  8. Adding it! We definitely need more good books like this.

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    1. I can't wait to see what you think of it Christy.

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  9. I honestly haven't read any feminist books or close to one before and this sounds fantastic. Add to my TBR!

    Vanessa @ Blushing Geek

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    1. I hadn't really until I read a non fiction feminist manifest a few years ago now called Fight Like A Girl and it's amazing how much anger it unlocks within you. Females carry around so much internalised rage and reads like Moxie are a great way to express that anger and call for change.

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  10. I adored this book and this is the feminist book I think everyone should be given. Like this is my required reading. It filled me with rage because the things which happen in this book happen in the real world. It's not just fiction and it's embarrassing that people have to experience this. Just, ugh, it filled me with rage and I adored it.

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    1. I couldn't agree more Becky. So many female readers will recognise they too experience everyday sexism and hopefully feel a sense of solidarity.

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