Code Red -- New Middle Grades Novel About Menstruation & Transgender Issues as well as Friendships, Family and more

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Can we talk about an important subject in every girl's life? It was taboo to discuss at one time. But perhaps you remember Stephen King's book, Carrie, or the movie based on it. I remember reading it as a child and of course with my name being Carrie I hear about it all the time. Perhaps it is the first time I really thought about menstruation discussed in public. After all Carrie White is ridiculed by her classmates when she gets her first period in high school. But these days there is more discussion as well as some more issues. Just a year ago we were still experience supply chain issues with tampons and sanitary napkins. Twenty-six states tax menstrual products as a luxury tax! The supplies for the average period is said to cost $20. Some menstruators have to decide between food and menstrual products! (Source) Today I get to share with you a book released today that delves into some of these issues. It is called Code Red and is by Joy McCullough. It is recommended for ages 8 plus. 

From the Publisher:

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 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?

From Me:

Wait, menstrual activism? Have you heard of such a thing? Did you know that 16.9 million menstruators in the United States live in poverty? Two-thirds of those women reported struggling to afford menstrual products. And 14% off college menstruators said they struggled to afford menstrual products in the previous year. College students! (Source) This is referred to as period poverty, and Eden is introduced to this issue when she gets her first period at a food bank when she is hanging with a friend who's mom runs it. Eden's mother is the CEO of a menstrual product company that she started before having Eden. She has made a name for herself and has some issues with Eden jumping on board to fight period poverty. It starts because the only sanitary pad they can find for Eden is a homemade one and the woman who makes them and donates them introduces Eden to a whole new world. 

Eden struggled after being injured and having to quit competitive gymnastics. She is lonely and doesn't really know what to do with herself. Her mother is always busy with work and her father is a pilot and always off flying somewhere. Her parents are divorced. Her father's solution was getting Eden a dog that she didn't want and now has to take care of. Then to make matters worse, her mother comes to talk at school on career day and of course she discusses menstrual products. Talk about middle school embarrassment. One of the boys then teases her (borderline bullies her) and another girl comes to her aid, but the two of them manage to push the boy and injure him so they are suspended. This is when Eden goes to the food bank and meets Maribel's family and friends and when she gets her first period. Eden is introduced to a whole new world where they discuss politics and activism as well as poverty. Maribel finds a cause and wants to do something about it. Most parents would be proud, but Eden's mother is a businesswoman and Eden's ideas could hurt her business. 

One of the things I love about the book is the child of Raven, the woman who makes the sanitary pads, is transgender and thus the book focuses on calling people menstruators versus female, girls, women, etc. I love that this issue is openly discussed. There are seven states that require schools to provide free menstrual products but even if these are funded (some of the states have the law but don't give the funding to the schools for it to be followed), the products will be in the girl bathrooms and not in the boy bathrooms for the transgender boys. Now there is an issue I had not considered, and it seems perfect to think about it during Pride Month. 

The story is a wonderful tale. It is about finding oneself after a setback in life. Finding friends and a purpose as well as standing up for oneself with parents. It has the middle school rebellion as well as issues with friends and more. The book is a good read. Eden struggles with her family and finding her own spot now that her Olympic dreams are shattered. There is the challenge of the financial differences between the friends and so much more. 

Then there is the activism as well as information about menstrual products and issues. I find it so interesting to see how the group comes together to make the world better in their home state. It involves a petition as well as social media and more to get the point out there. There is even a bit about drunk driving and high school drinking. There is so much in this book and the story is very interesting. I hope you will check it out. 

To go with this book, the obvious thing would be to try to sew your own menstrual pads. I found a few tutorials online. I think I am going to try this one. I will use snaps like the one in the book and see how Hazel likes them.