Ever since a career-ending injury, former elite gymnast Eden has been feeling lost. To add insult to actual injury, her mom presents at her middle school’s career day; having the whole school hear about the company's period products like pads and tampons is total humiliation. And when Eden gets into a fight with a boy who won’t stop mocking her for it, she and her classmate Maribel both end up getting suspended. Mom’s corporate executive job means she doesn’t have time to look after Eden, so Eden is sent to volunteer at the food bank Maribel’s mom runs.
There, she meets new friends who open her eyes to period poverty, the struggle that low-income people with periods have trying to afford menstrual products. Eden even meets a boy who gets periods. Witnessing how people fight for fair treatment inspires Eden to join the advocacy work, but sewing pads to donate and pushing for free access to period products puts Eden at odds with her mom. Even so, Eden’s determined to hold onto the one thing that’s ignited her passion and drive since gymnastics. In the spirit of Judy Blume, this empowering and heartfelt middle grade novel celebrates finding yourself, making new friends, and standing up for what’s right.
"Readers learn about these subjects alongside Eden in a well-integrated way and will root for the quirky, well-rounded characters who challenge outdated cultural taboos. Character-driven, thought-provoking, often funny, and, above all, timely." — Kirkus Reviews
Recommended Age | 10 - 13 |
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Author | Joy McCullough |
ISBN | 1534496262 |
Publication Date | Jun 13, 2023 |
Publisher | Atheneum Books for Young Readers |
Language | English |