I am so impressed with this debut middle grade novel. To begin, this book is current and timely with strong female characters that protest the injustices of their middle school’s inequitable dress code. Firestone incorporates podcasts, short-titled sections/chapters, and bullet lists to tell Molly’s story--this format will appeal to many readers and gives the book a modern feel.
Molly is terribly bothered by the fact the many students (mostly female) are openly embarrassed and disciplined in the hallway of their middle school by their principal and dean, “Fingertips.” She is named “Fingertips” because most of her time is spent in the hallways questioning the length of the shorts worn--her actual name is not disclosed until the very end. Molly interviews students that have suffered because they are “dress coded” to publicly explain the situation and the emotional turmoil that results. She posts the interviews online as podcasts and documents dress code infractions on Instagram. Her podcasts and Instagrams gain followers and encourage others to speak up.
This book is progressive with some controversial topics intertwined including: same-sex crushes, tampons, bullying by students and school administrators, racism, vaping, addiction, etc. Although these themes are mature, they are handled expertly and are not explored graphically. This book will definitely appeal to many of my fifth graders who are starting to develop their own cultural and societal views and are looking for inspiration and encouragement in how to express them.
5 Stars
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