April 17, 2023
Thirteen-year-old, white-cued Eden feels listless after a shoulder injury and sudden growth spurt force her to quit gymnastics. Now, instead of attending practice, she’s enrolled in IRL school for the first time in two years and spends long hours alone since her divorced mother—the CEO of a menstrual products company—is rarely home. Eden struggles to make friends, until she and Guatemalan American classmate Maribel bond during suspension following their physical retaliation against a bully who taunted Eden about her mother’s occupation. The tweens become fast friends, and Eden finds herself looking forward to volunteering at the food pantry run by Maribel’s mother. It’s there that Eden meets Raven and her transgender son Will, both white-cued, who have begun a community project in which they make reusable menstrual pads for people around the globe. Eden—accompanied by Maribel—wholeheartedly joins Raven and Will’s altruistic efforts, putting her at odds with her corporate-minded mother. McCullough (Enter the Body) sheds light on issues of injustice, misogyny, and period poverty, as well as varying other challenges surrounding financial precarity, via Eden’s warmly rendered personal journey from laser-focused athlete to stalwart activist. Eden’s evolving relationship with her mother, and their opposing ideals, provide additional narrative heft. Ages 8–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
April 15, 2023
Grades 4-7 Sometimes you don't get it until you get it. Thirteen-year-old Eden left gymnastics after an injury, and her newfound free time highlights relationships and experiences she missed during competitive training (including getting her first period). As she tentatively befriends classmate Marisol, Eden is welcomed at Casa Esperanza, a food bank and community center run by Marisol's mother. Seeing firsthand how resources like diapers and tampons are prized commodities, Eden sews reusable pads and works with Marisol's sister to draft an initiative funding menstrual supplies in schools. Eden's mother runs a massive menstrual-product company and objects to Eden's new friends and political action, which raises thoughtful consideration of Eden's privilege, agency, and self-realization. McCullough (Across the Pond, 2021) tackles period poverty with her usual feminist flair, yet the conversations--particularly those between Eden and her crush, Will, who is trans--bring along readers who may be less familiar with issues around menstrual equity. Changemakers eager to go against the flow will appreciate the paths Eden explores to increased self-awareness, advocacy, and social activism.
COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Starred review from April 15, 2023
Heather Sorensen rose from poverty to lead a major menstrual products company, but she's MIA when her daughter gets her first period. Eden, 13, was fulfilling Heather's lofty dream for her future--Olympic medal-winning gymnast--until a growth spurt and injury cut it short. Though less invested in her divorced mother's ambitions, Eden feels lost: Gymnastics always came first, leaving little time for friends. She rarely sees her pilot dad and is often alone in the enormous Seattle-area mansion she shares with Heather, whose high-profile career trumps parenting. Heather's appearance at a career day assembly to extol her company, MySecret, leaves Eden feeling humiliated and a target for teasing. After she defends herself against a harassing boy with help from classmate Maribel, both girls are suspended. With Heather unreachable, Maribel's mom brings them to the food pantry she manages, where Eden starts her period. Maribel's Guatemalan immigrant family take to Eden, as do their friends Will, a trans boy, and his mom, Raven (who are White, like Eden). Raven's small nonprofit makes and distributes free, reusable cloth menstrual pads. Learning about period poverty (and poverty, period), Eden ponders ways to fund period products and gets a crash course in income inequality, but her commitment to social justice strains her relationship with Heather. 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. (author's note, glossary, resources) (Fiction. 8-14)
COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
September 1, 2023
Gr 4-7-Thirteen-year-old Eden comes from a wealthy family and has divorced parents. When her mom speaks in front of the entire school on Career Day about the menstruation products her company sells, Eden is mortified. Her classmates won't stop with the period jokes! Eden also struggles with gymnastics as her body changes after an injury; the only encouragement she gets to continue comes from her grandma. After the Career Day disaster, Eden's troubles with her mom lead her to a new friend and family; they stick up for her, and make her feel more loved and understood. During the course of the story, Eden gets her first period (after which she learns about sewing reusable pads), and gets involved with a play. These activities help fill the time when she would normally be doing gymnastics. She has to learn who she is again, if not a gymnast. As Eden's interests grow, her life becomes more rewarding and fulfilling. She tackles confrontations with her mom about conflicting goals with bravery and honesty, which result in a healthier relationship between mother and daughter. McCullough's latest middle grade novel introduces readers to period poverty, volunteerism, activism, and a trans boy who needs period products. Back material includes a personal note from the author, statistics about menstruation, tips for getting menstrual products in schools, a glossary of terms, a bibliography of movies and books, and contacts for menstrual movement organizations. VERDICT Readers who feel ignored by busy family members or need information about puberty might enjoy this realistic book.-Tanya Boudreau
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