Jennifer Mathieu

In a small Texas town where high school football reigns supreme, Viv, sixteen, starts a feminist revolution using anonymously-written zines.

a novel

Moxie

'I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!' Zoella '... this is my new favorite book. I'm proud to be a Moxie girl!' Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe 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 '90s, 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. TIME TO FIGHT LIKE A GIRL A page-turning read with a feminist message, for anyone who has ever had to deal with #everydaysexism 'MOXIE is sweet funny and fierce. Read this and then join the fight!' AMY POEHLER

Time to Fight Like a Girl

I love this because it's so familiar. A lot of the elders in my life have had things like ceramic roosters. And we even have (and have had) actual roosters too. This just brings back memories and makes me feel this. I'm so happy 😊 

Iara Figueira

Meemaw has a rooster obsession. Roosters on dishtowels, roosters on plates, roosters made of ceramic walking the length of the kitchen windowsill like they’re part of a rooster parade. She even has salt and pepper shakers shaped like—guess what—roosters.

 I can’t explain why, exactly, but something about what’s inside the box makes me feel better. Understood somehow. Which is weird because Riot Grrrl was a million years ago, and none of those girls know me. But I can’t help but wish I knew them.

"Moxie is sweet, funny, and fierce. Read this and then join the fight." —Amy Poehler An unlikely teenager starts a feminist revolution at a small-town Texas high school in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, author of The Truth About Alice. MOXIE GIRLS FIGHT BACK! Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with an administration at her high school that thinks 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 mom was a tough-as-nails, punk rock Riot Grrrl in the '90s, and now Viv takes a page from her mother's past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. She's just blowing off steam, but other girls respond. As Viv forges friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution. Moxie is a book about high school life that will make you wanna riot! Also by Jennifer Mathieu: The Truth About Alice: A powerful look at slut-shaming, told through the perspectives of four small-town teens, about how everyone has a motive to bring—and keep—a teen girl down. Devoted: A girl with a controlling, conservative family realizes that her life is her own—if only she can find the courage to fight for it. Afterward: A tragic kidnapping leads to an unlikely friendship in this novel about finding light in the midst of darkness. Praise for Moxie: “With a story that’s equal parts heart and instruction manual, Mathieu has captured the movement of a generation—warts and all—and shone a light forward for the next one.” —E. K. Johnston, #1 New York TimesBestselling author of Exit Pursued By a Bear “Vivian Carter and Moxie are strong and smart and so, so inspiring. She is my new hero and this is my new favorite book. I’m proud to be a Moxie girl.” —Jennifer Niven, New York Times–bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe “From its soul-deep girl friendships to its swoony love story to its smart, gutsy heroine, Moxie is a ferocious joy. I could feel my heart—and my courage—getting bigger every time I turned the page." —Katie Cotugno, New York Times–bestselling author of 99 Days and How to Love "Moxie is an anthem, a how-to guide, and that best friend who says, ‘You matter, too!’” —Sherri L. Smith, author of Pasadena and Flygirl “Like the addictive riff of a punk rock song, Moxie will pull you in, inspire you, and kick you back out into the world with a burning desire to change it. Read this. Now.” —Jenny Torres Sanchez, author of Because of the Sun "An invaluable revelation." —Booklist, starred review "This novel is full of wit, insight, and moxie. . . . Highly recommended for all teens, but especially those who would enjoy realistic coming-of-age fiction with female empowerment." —School Library Journal, starred review "Satisfying and moving." —Publishers Weekly

A Novel

Nadia Trebizo

chloe rae

Probably more of a 4.5*


HOLY SMOKES THIS BOOK. It was amazing. I mean, SO amazing. It’s relevant and inspiring and IMPORTANT and revolutionary and just SO. GOOD. 
I don’t quite remember when I first got introduced to feminism, but it was definitely in a negative way. It mainly consisted of people telling me it’s just a bunch of ‘men haters’ who make a big deal about nothing and how it’s all fake and blah blah blah. And then I got to college and my world view just EXPLODED and I learned about ACTUAL Feminism (mainly, intersectional feminism) and how incredibly important it is and I saw what these women and men actually stood for and it was just INCREDIBLE. Now, I’m proud to say I’m a feminist and to openly talk about these kinds of issues with people. Because it MATTERS. WE MATTER. 
This book was the best kind of uplifting. It could be absolutely INFURIATING at times because of all the injustice and sexism, but that shit was so maddening because it’s REAL. It’s STILL HAPPENING. And Viv and her friends taking action was just so inspiring and beautiful and I kept getting emotional at the end and I also got goosebumps? 
Damn. Overall, a super great and important read. One that has me feeling like I can conquer the world. Moxie girls, we fight back!

This book was genuinely awful, and should have stuck to the revenge plot instead of preaching feminism, because you could probably find a Colleen Hoover book that is somehow more feminist. I can understand the blatant choice feminism and the "feminism is for men too!!" propaganda, because I suppose that's how you would attract 16 year old straight white girls who care about nothing but who their next boyfriend will be. However, the whole republican subplot? "Adults can disagree on politics and still be friends!!" No, girl, your friend voted a serial rapist for president. And I'm supposed to believe this creature used to be a rebellious punk rock feminist in the 90s? Be serious.

Paula Najar Santamaria

Jazelle H

“She had more than her necessary share of moxie.”

At Vivian Carter’s high school, the football team’s misogynistic bullies are viewed as gods, while the school’s female population is viewed as easy prey. Growing up with a mother whose “misspent” youth compromised of the punk-rock Riot Grrrl revolution’s feminist zines, Vivian decided to take action. Her Moxie zines--not newsletters, please--spark a movement throughout the women in her school, who are sick of the sexual harassment too. After all, Moxie girls fight back!

“It occurs to me that this is what it means to be a feminist. Not a humanist or an equalist or whatever. But a feminist. It’s not a bad word. After today it might be my favorite word. Because really all it is is girls supporting each other and wanting to be treated like human beings in a world that’s always finding ways to tell them they’re not.”

Vivian Carter isn’t a flashy, warrior woman character, and she doesn’t need to be. This story demonstrates the outward struggle the everyday girl is left to face, and the inner struggle that comes with it. While it’s difficult to stand alone, Vivian gives a voice to the masses. Her feminist-driven, once-rebellious mother’s own youth is a beautiful inspiration, not just for Viv, but for readers as well. While character investment locks into place for any person--male or female--who’s ever felt judged or mistreated for their gender, the prose, however, is a little lacking. With that quick and easy flow--usually created by a unique voice and well-wielded language--missing, the momentum slows down a bit. The escalation is a little slow as well, which also keeps the momentum from reaching that rollercoaster ride rush that gets book-dragons eating page after page.

“Moxie girls fight back!”

Considering the current social atmosphere, this novel’s relevance speaks for itself. Silence doesn’t make for a revolution--action does. It’s time to rage, roar, or riot. It’s time to use our voices as a united weapon. Find your inner moxie, stand up, and fight back!

Every woman & ally of women should read this! All of us women have been a teenage girl at some point & most of us in that stage of our life started to realize how we are seen by society. It was so relatable even for me who didn’t grow up in a small Texas town. It reminded me of how proud I should be to be a feminist & how I need to do my part & educate more people on the issues with still deal with today at any & every age! 

Mariah crawford

Ivy X

Enjoyed the story…but I think the movie did do a bit more justice with having Claudia take the fall. I think the book made the side characters feel a bit 1-dimensional—Claudia being timid, Lucy always ready to attack the patriarchy, etc.

Jeannette Ordas

Rachel Evans

(3.5/5) 1 hour 54 mins - A decently enjoyable read, fairly predictable in places but definitely not dull. It all felt very stereotypical, the popular cheerleader, the outspoken feminist, the awful football players, these characters feel like they have been written and rewritten a hundred times in books, movies and TV shows. However, the story was a very powerful one, taking back power from misogyny in society, with a main character who isn't perfect, has relatable struggles and actually feels very real. The romance involved wasn't overbearing and worked to provide a different perspective, and the author included some points of view of intersectional feminism as well. Overall, an enjoyable but not overly realistic read, but one that is hopefully inspiring to young women fighting the system.

Elisa Bieg

I want to buy this book for every.single. teenager I know. And their moms. 

This is the sweetest, most relatable, most intelligent novelized approach to feminism that I have ever laid eyes on. It is gradual, and real, and beautiful, and maddening, and awesome. It is heart-breaking and empowering. 
SO.MANY.FEELS.

I hardly ever read contemporary YA. 
A lot of it is unrelatable to me, frankly. But this... this was not. This was on-point, apropos and just generally awesome and needed. 

Teenage girls go through so much more shit these days. And that’s on top of all the stuff that hasn’t been handled yet. It’s fucking rough and anyone who doesn’t see it is just, frankly, shutting their eyes to the truth. 

This book makes people think about things and open their eyes. I want to leave it in everyone’s mailbox and make it mandatory reading. Because it’s not a treatise, it’s not a debate. It’s a story that could be a true story, that reflects the true state of society and how hard it is to stand up to oppression when that’s all you’ve always known. (And oppression comes in many forms, so let’s not go into a debate about degree of oppression, ok?)
It also shows how even good people sometimes don’t get it because they don’t experience it themselves.

And it shows that something can be done about it. It shows that together we are strong. It shows that change is possible, but not immediate, but it takes work, and dedication and determination. 

It shows that every one of us is a potential part of a huge, powerful movement for possible change, and al we need to do is  get up, take stock and be willing to stand up for what’s right.

You will be tempted to dismiss this book as a cute YA chick-lit — because of the cute cooler, the pink, the sweet character. Don’t. Read the whole thing, and be willing to see how this could have taken place in so many places around the world, to anyone or anyone’s daughters. Then get mad. And get determined to do something to change it. 

This book is how we spark understanding of what it means to grow up in an environment so replete with toxic chauvinism that we have come to accept it at normal. And it’s how we realize that we can change it. 

So yes, I’m giving it 4 stars and a rave review. And I’m recommending it to every teen I know, and telling them to pass it on to their moms after they are done!

Sonja H

„Moxie“ gehört zu den Büchern, die mir auf YouTube begegnet sind. Insbesondere Russell von „Ink and Paper Blog“ äußerte sich sehr begeistert über den Roman.

Mich hat die Geschichte geärgert.

Erwartet hab ich eine Antiheldin, die zur Heldin wird, die Dinge erst unüberlegt anstößt, dann mit wachsender Überzeugung hinter ihren Entscheidungen steht, Missstände offen anspricht, den Dialog mit Mitschülern und Lehrern sucht,..
Bekommen habe ich ein braves Mädchen, das gern mutig wäre, das heimlich in die Fußstapfen ihrer einst feministischen Mutter tritt, das sich in den tollsten Jungen der Schule verliebt, der so anders ist, als die anderen, das sich vor dem eigenen Mut fürchtet, ununterbrochen an sich selbst zweifelt – das bis zum Schluss die Antiheldin bleibt.

Die Autorin hat unglaublich dick aufgetragen: Mädchen haben an dieser Schule nur als Cheerleader eine wichtige Rolle inne, Jungs haben das Sagen, vergreifen sich an den Mitschülerinnen und alle Lehrer schauen weg, selbst eine „Fastvergewaltigung“ (ich bin nicht recht dahinter gestiegen, ob es letzten Endes eine war oder nicht), wird nicht ernst genommen, von niemanden.
Aber da ist Seth, Vivians Schwarm, der so untypisch Junge ist, der sich aber auch passiv im Hintergrund hält.

Ich mag diese Schwarz-Weiß-Sichten des Feminismus nicht. Männer und Frauen haben ihre dunklen Seiten, Männer und Frauen sind in Rollenvorstellungen gefangen, es gibt nicht nur „die bösen Jungs“ und die „unterdrückten Mädchen, die sich wehren müssen“.

Ich weiß, dass ich leicht reden habe, in einer Zeit, in der viele Frauen vor mir für die Rechte gekämpft haben, die ich heute genieße, aber „Moxie“ soll gerade die heutige Generation ansprechen und man sollte meinen, wir hätten mittlerweile erkannt, dass Umdenken und Dialog Veränderungen herbeiführen müssen und nicht die Verurteilung einer Gruppe und der passive Widerstand mit Flyern und Aufklebern, und einem „Bake Sale“ (seufz).

Wieso reden diese Mädchen nicht mit ihren Eltern oder wenigstens mit ihren Müttern? Wieso wenden sie sich nicht an Lehrerinnen (die im Buch nicht von Bedeutung sind)? Wieso sind ALLE verängstigt, wieso gibt es unter den vielen Schülern an dieser Schule nicht einen Haufen „vorlauter“ Mädels und Jungs, die ihre Stimme erheben?

Tut mir leid, aber das erscheint mir in keiner Weise realistisch zu sein. Auch nicht in Amerika. Selbst ich, die ich als schüchtern galt in meiner Schulzeit, habe in so einigen Situationen ohne nachzudenken den Mund aufgerissen und nicht über Konsequenzen nachgedacht. Und da draußen gibt es mehr von meiner Art, auch bei den jugendlichen Schülerinnen!

„Moxie“ ist in keiner Weise hilfreich für Mädchen, die sich untergebuttert fühlen. Sollen sie etwa nun auch Zines basteln und hoffen, dass eine Bewegung daraus entsteht!? Sollen sie heimliche Parties feiern, sich verschwestern und hoffen, dass man sie dennoch hört und sieht?!
Sollten sie nicht vielmehr das Gespräch mit Vertrauenspersonen suchen? Sollten sie nicht Ausschau nach Gleichdenkenden suchen, egal ob männlich oder weiblich?

Ich weiß, dass wir in keiner gleichberechtigten Welt leben, was übrigens auch im Hinblick auf andere Unterschiede gilt, aber diese Art von Feminismus wird uns nicht weiterbringen, sie wird die Kluft nur tiefer machen.

Ingrid 

4 stars. A very good book. 

Likes:
- The characters
- I felt that the feminism portion was very well done
- The high school setting made it very relatable

Dislikes: 
- The romance: I think this is more a personal thing, I don't think the romance was badly done. It just wan't for me

Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good feminist contemporary.

Vilde

Read the book behind the upcoming NETFLIX movie launching on 3rd March 2021, directed by and starring Amy Poehler. 'I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!' Zoella '... this is my new favorite book. I'm proud to be a Moxie girl!' Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe When an unlikely teenager stands up to sexism in her high school she unwittingly starts a feminist revolution that shakes her whole town. It's time to fight like a girl! Perfect for fans of Holly Bourne. 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 '90s, 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. TIME TO FIGHT LIKE A GIRL A page-turning read with a feminist message, for anyone who has ever had to deal with #everydaysexism 'MOXIE is sweet funny and fierce. Read this and then join the fight!' AMY POEHLER Also by Jennifer Mathieu: The Liars: Perfect for fans of We Were Liars - two siblings wrestle with the secrets and lies that threaten to destroy their future. The Truth About Alice: Fans of Thirteen Reasons Why will love this powerful book about stereotypes, secrets and standing up for gender equality. Devoted: An empowering, feminist coming-of-age story about self-discovery, as a girl with a controlling family realizes that her life is her own - if only she can find the courage to fight for it. Afterward: A tragic kidnapping leads to an unlikely friendship in this novel about finding light in the midst of darkness.

NETFLIX Movie Out on 3rd March 21

Lara Duartinha Ferreira

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
never read a feminist book and this was amazing! loved it and would totally recommend it

Ruby Kennedy

i watched the movie before this, and it was really good as well. i loved the overall message and it made me want to start a riot at my school. #MOXIEGIRLSFIGHTBACK

Emi Gilmore 

Oh my God. 

It's 4 days into the year and I've already read two books?

Thank the lord above, I think The Great Slump of 2017™ stayed behind in that shitty year.


Rtc

It was a great book! Very realistic with the situations. And they adressed it very well. This book is amazing, for a young feminist. Totally recommend!!!

Josefina

i think this is a good book for someone that's just getting started on understanding feminism, if it spoke more about intersectionality and we didn't have a romance, this would've definitely been a 5 star.

Alexa Jade

Sebastian coccimiglio

me encanto, me comi las 400 paginas en dos dias, me vicio muchisimo, lo ame mal

Jordyn Wassen

It was good and I really enjoyed it but it didn’t leave a lasting impression like I would have liked. Maybe it’s because I’m only 15 but it was still amazing and something everyone should read.

Nadine 

Quick thoughtful read on rampant sexism and toxic masculinity and how it took initially one voice to motivate others. Also an interesting commentary on the diversion of funds towards masculine sports at the cost of other interest groups.
Must read for middle school examining gender, equality, values and voice

Becky

I am woman hear me roar!

This book fills me with feminist feels and is all about the girl power. This is a book which should be handed out to everyone at high school age and beyond. It would be required reading if I had my way, it really would.

I made several notes for myself and I will write a full review from them but this book was utterly fantastic and I didn't want to not be reading it. It was this brilliant feminist read which any woman can relate to because whilst you may not have gone through all of the situations in the book you can relate and had similar things happen or know someone who has experienced something similar. Basically, this is a book about how the world is not equal. That there is still a toxic attitude to women out there and that you need to make your voice hear about the injustices.

I loved every page and it was absolutely fantastic. I may have been nervous going in (I've not seen negative comments, guys, that creates high expectations) but I am so impressed with this book. Mathieu can write authentic teen voices and make a book relatable to any age. You'll want to crack out your Doc Martens and listen to some female punk rock after reading this.

Neele Jan

Chrissy

4.75 
Oh boy this book. This book will be labeled as feminist. There is no way around it or avoiding it. BUT even if that word happens to turn you off I still think it is worth your time to read. This is full on girl power with good reason. Vivian is a quiet follow the rules teen who attends a school in a small town in Texas where its all about the football team and they run the school. To fight back against the ridiculous things that hare happening Vivian takes a note from her mothers teen years and makes a zine privately and leaves around the school and it starts a women's "revolution."

Now the reason this book did not make it a 5 stars for me is because the school situation seemed to extreme for me. It seemed straight out of a movie. I am not from a town so I have no idea how accurate this can be for some high school experiences but I for one thought it was ridiculous. The high school principal is also the father of one of the biggest football players, the football team gets all the money unlike all the other sports teams/clubs, and the football players get to act out inappropriately and it gets ignored. These teen boys are allowed to say things the the female students and wear disgusting shirts to school with extremely offensive sayings and no one blinks an eye. It is clearly seen and nothing is said to them, class is interrupted by rude comments and the teachers say nothing. I can say that I have been subjected to a few of the things these girls were in the book back when I was in middle/junior high school (view spoiler)[the bump and grab I think they called it as well as the snapping of the bra straps (hide spoiler)] and it is not okay and I did react in a self defense manner.
Due to all of the many horrible things that happened to the female students in this school I could not help but feel like something needed to be done. The way Moxie, the zine Vivian started brought all the girls in the school together was such an empowering thing to read. I felt like I was mentally high five-ing them all as they each took a stand against all the things that were happening. I think this book took a good look at feminism and expressed it in a way that I feel like the media isn't necessarily doing correctly. It did a good job at explaining things to those who are unaware of what a high school teenage girl goes through. 
And on one more note, the love interest/relationship in this book is near perfection, meaning it isn't perfect. It was so realistic and so natural. It was honest and you could see Vivian grow as her relationship progressed. They learned from each other and it was nice to see that in a teenage relationship.

Moxie a novel

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