Monique Polak

As I was reading this book at lunch in the break room, someone said, "Planet Grief? I don't think I would have picked up that book." Well, the story of young people being forced to go the Grief Retreat by their parents really struck home with me. My husband committed suicide when my oldest was a senior in High School and my other two children were in middle school. I would have forced my kids to go if I'd heard of one in my neighborhood.

Ms. Polak portrays each person and family group very show more realistically. These are real people dealing with all the sadness and weirdness associated with those left behind when someone dies. Each person walks through the grieving process differently and at their own pace.

This a very compelling story that kept me reading and wondering what will happen next. I highly recommend it. show less

I want to hand this book out to every teenager I meet. With chapters on romantic relationships, appearance, careers, intersectionality, and finding allies with boys and men, this book covers a lot of ground. I was especially taken with the chapter on the history of feminism, and seeing the current movement in context with all that has come before. There are anecdotes, profiles, and images dotted throughout the text, which gives a fuller view of the issues at hand. The author helpfully show more provides a glossary and list of resources for further exploration. Many of the references and interviews are Canadian, giving a slightly more global perspective for an American audience. show less

I Am a Feminist is a light overview of the many ways feminism is still needed. It is geared toward teens and is written in clear, simple language with lots of illustrations and photos.

It has seven sections beginning with a history of feminism and the challenges women and girls face around the world. Further chapters focus on specific issues such as objectification and body image, issues of sex and relationships, feminist issues in the workplace, and intersectionality. It also does not leave show more feminism just to the women and includes a chapter on how to be feminist men.

There are several insets with profiles of various feminists who have does good work to advance the rights of women and girls. After the final chapter, there is a glossary and a list of resources for staying current on the issues.

I am not the audience for I Am a Feminist but I think it is an excellent resource for young women in junior and senior high to counter the anti-feminist messaging in film, books, and on the internet. Young girls face more challenges than ever before with social media amplifying the power of bullies and misogynists. They need books like this to function like a vaccine to stave off the many negative messages they are shown every day. Just today, an announcement about an upcoming STEAM event at a high school set aside a special section STEAM for Girls inadvertently implying all the rest was for boys. These messages are constant and this book is just the kind of medicine the feminist doctor ordered.

I Am a Feminist will be published May 7th. I received an ARC from the publisher through LibraryThing.

I Am a Feminist at Orca Book Publishers
Monique Polak author site

★★★★

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2019/04/25/9781459818927/ show less

I got Learning The Ropes through LibraryThing and I have to admit, I was engrossed by the cover but not so much the synopsis. Everyone knows that if I am going to read a book, it better have a romance and this book doesn't have romance so I thought "I might not enjoy this." Well, let me tell you that I was completely wrong! I really enjoyed reading this story so much. It is very short and light and definitely taught me a few things that I will not be trying or I will end up in a wheelchair show more for life.

The story starts with Mandy, a rope climber, at an airport about to leave for Montreal Circus College's Summer Circus Camp. Each year, only twenty-five teenagers from around the world are accepted into this prestigious program. Mandy needs to stand out in order to get into MCC because only the best go to the summer camp.

Of course, in camps like this one, there will be rivals and in this case, Genevieve, an aerialist, is against Mandy. Why? Because only one of them will get into Montreal Circus College.

What I really, really liked about this story was the way it was written and how direct Monique was. I loved that I could see everything in my mind so vividly and I felt as if I was a part of the story. You see, normally when there's a book that involves ballet or these difficult techniques, it is very hard for someone to picture them unless the reader has participated in doing some of the techniques. I have only been in gymnastics and that was a long time ago (when I had MySpace...loooong time ago, I tell you) so I don't really remember much.

Monique described everything on point and everything was so understandable. I felt like I was watching everything from the stands, as if I was really in the public watching everything unfold. Now that, has never happened to me before, to the point where I could understand and imagine it.

This book is for ages 11-14 but I honestly think everyone can read it and enjoy it :) show less