Book Review: Fiction for Young Feminists
Feminism, the radical belief that women are human. It’s the 21st century and the girls of our world are still being placed into incriminating boxes of pink and pretty. There are truly inspirational people and individuals striving for the equality we need around all genders. Even so, the conflict can be hard and some days it may seem pointless. Here are a couple books and tunes to remind you that we all have a little bomb inside of us that once it explodes, will create an impact.
Watch Us Rise by Ellen Hagan and Renee Watson
Chelsea and Jasmine have been friends since they can remember and they’re both passionate, aspiring, young artivists.
Amsterdam Heights High school prides itself on supporting social justice for their students, with lessons about learning from the past to inspire a different future. Chelsea and Jasmine believe that’s just rhetoric. And considering the poor behaviour of the students and that Amsterdam Heights is stuck in the status quo, it’s not hard to agree with them.
After quitting the old fashioned attitudes of their respected clubs, they take on the initiative of creating their own club. Together they take on the role of posting on their school blog, Write Like A Girl. They push their opinions, write to inform and speak out to let others know that they’re not alone on the topic of feminism. The blog goes viral, quickly gaining supporters. Sadly, not everyone agrees with their motives.
Watch them rise, watch them destroy the patriarchy and blossom through their activism.
‘Watch Us Rise’ is an easy read, fit for any gender, any age and any opinion. Hagan and Watson allow us to think deeper about issues aimed at certain group that often face discrimination. You watch the characters learn and grow through an emotional and passionate journey. No matter where you stand on the matter of the patriarchy, you’ll be able to step into the story’s whimsical and moral poetry, and hopefully learn something on the way.
Grace And Fury by Tracy Banghart
In a world where women have no rights and represent the very phrase “to be seen and not heard”, sisters Nomi and Serina have very different fates awaiting them.
Serina has been trained her whole life to be a Grace, waiting on the Heir; a statuesque of the perfect woman. Whereas, rebellious Nomi struggles to keep her mouth shut due to the disdain she feels towards the limiting lifestyle that awaits her.
When Nomi attracts the attention of the Heir, stealing Serina’s spotlight; both girls find themselves in the very opposite of their dreams.
Will Serina be able to survive on an island where women kill each other for food?
Will Nomi work her way through the court to save Serina, even with a traitor in their midst?
On top of all that, will Nomi’s secret be exposed?
‘Grace And Fury’ is a dystopian romance. Fans of Kierra Cass will enjoy this heartfelt read. Once you're done with this, follow the story with ‘Queen Of Ruin’.