Code Red

by Joy McCullough (Author)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

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?

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Kirkus

Starred Review
Character-driven, thought-provoking, often funny, and, above all, timely.

ALA/Booklist

Changemakers eager to go against the flow will appreciate the paths Eden explores to increased self-awareness, advocacy, and social activism.

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. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (June)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7--Thirteen-year-old Eden comes from a wealthy family and has divorced parents. When her mom speaks in front of the entire school on Career Day about the menstruation products her company sells, Eden is mortified. Her classmates won't stop with the period jokes! Eden also struggles with gymnastics as her body changes after an injury; the only encouragement she gets to continue comes from her grandma. After the Career Day disaster, Eden's troubles with her mom lead her to a new friend and family; they stick up for her, and make her feel more loved and understood. During the course of the story, Eden gets her first period (after which she learns about sewing reusable pads), and gets involved with a play. These activities help fill the time when she would normally be doing gymnastics. She has to learn who she is again, if not a gymnast. As Eden's interests grow, her life becomes more rewarding and fulfilling. She tackles confrontations with her mom about conflicting goals with bravery and honesty, which result in a healthier relationship between mother and daughter. McCullough's latest middle grade novel introduces readers to period poverty, volunteerism, activism, and a trans boy who needs period products. Back material includes a personal note from the author, statistics about menstruation, tips for getting menstrual products in schools, a glossary of terms, a bibliography of movies and books, and contacts for menstrual movement organizations. VERDICT Readers who feel ignored by busy family members or need information about puberty might enjoy this realistic book.--Tanya Boudreau

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

McCullough tackles period poverty with her usual feminist flair, yet the conversations bring along readers who may be less familiar with issues around menstrual equity. Changemakers eager to go against the flow will appreciate the paths Eden explores to increased self-awareness, advocacy, and social activism. —Booklist
Joy McCullough
Joy McCullough writes books and plays from her home in the Seattle area, where she lives with her husband and two children. She is the author of the middle grade novels Across the Pond, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, Not Starring Zadie Louise, Code Red, and Basil & Dahlia, as well as the middle grade series Team Awkward, and the picture books Harriet's Ruffled Feathers, Champ and Major: First Dogs, and The Story of a Book. Her debut novel Blood Water Paint was longlisted for the National Book Award and was a William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist. Visit her at JoyMcCullough.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534496279
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date
May 21, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039020 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Adolescence
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV039290 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Activism & Social Justice
Library of Congress categories
Mothers and daughters
Self-realization
Poverty
Voluntarism
Menstruation

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