Code Red
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
In the spirit of Judy Blume, this “character-driven, thought-provoking, often funny, and, above all, timely” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel celebrates finding yourself, making new friends, and standing up for what’s right as a girl becomes involved in menstrual activism.
Ever since a career-ending injury, former elite gymnast Eden has been feeling lost. To add insult to actual injury, her mom has been invited to present at her middle school’s career day, which would be fine except Mom’s company produces period products like pads and tampons. Having the whole school hear about it 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 while she’s suspended, 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. Can she stand her ground and make a real difference?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
