Lo and Jazz were inseparable best friends, but now at twelve years old, they are drifting apart. Now that Lo has to figure out who she is, she realizes that she is strong and fair-minded. At school, Lo does not like that boys are treated differently than girls. Boys seem to be able to harass girls and make lewd comments without any consequences. When Lo is at a party, she announces that she will not play a kissing game because it doesn’t respect people’s right to give consent.

Lo is also upset that none of the machines have period products while the boys’ bathrooms have machines that dispense free condoms. Lo rallies her new friends, and they launch a campaign to change the school policy regarding sanitary products. The students persevere with their efforts and experience success. Lo and her friends learn many valuable lessons: that friendships go both ways, that it’s normal to talk about menstruation, and that young people can make a positive contribution to their community.

Other End Matter: Teacher’s resource
Images: None
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: Lorena D., High School Teacher, BC Books for Schools

MELANIE FLORENCE est une autrice primée d’origine crie et écossaise qui vit à Toronto, en Ontario. Elle a écrit Sans Nimâmâ, qui lui a valu le prix TD de littérature canadienne pour l’enfance et la jeunesse en 2016 ainsi que le prix Golden Oak de la Forêt de la lecture en 2017, et une nomination à titre de finaliste aux prix First Nations Communities READ, la même année. Son album Les mots volés a remporté le prix Ruth et Sylvia Schwartz de littérature jeunesse en 2018, en plus d’être finaliste au prix Marilyn Baillie. Parmi ses autres livres, on compte Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Residential Schools et les romans pour adolescents Just Lucky, He Who Dreams, The Missing, One Night et Rez Runaway. Elle a également coécrit Autumn Bird and the Runaway avec Richard Scrimger.

MELANIE FLORENCE is an award-winning writer of Cree and Scottish heritage based in Toronto, Ontario. She is the author of Missing Nimâmâ, which won the 2016 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the 2017 Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award and was a finalist for the 2017 First Nation Communities READ award. Her most recent picture book, Stolen Words, won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award and was a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. Her other books include Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Residential Schools and the teen novels Just Lucky, He Who Dreams, The Missing, One Night, and Rez Runaway. Visit her at https://www.melanieflorence.com/.

Melanie Florence's profile page

• Commended, Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom

“Lo’s story strikes a bell of authenticity. In this thoughtful book, Lo Simpson’s emergence as a leader serves as an inspiring tale and one that will appeal to readers young and old. Filled with a diverse and believable cast of characters, Lo’s story draws the reader in and keeps their attention throughout ups and downs of her journey. Readers will encounter a brave young girl who is able to overcome her insecurities to find not only herself but the truth that injustice done to anyone causes suffering for everyone.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“Lo finds her voice and learns how to use it, whether that means breaking up an uncomfortable game of spin the bottle or facing down her school principal on issues of gender equality…Florence tackles topics such as sexism, consent, and menstruation with a matter-of-fact tone that will resonate with readers…A thoroughly modern coming-of-age tale.”

Kirkus Reviews

“This is more than a middle-school friend-breakup story…Breezy and bracing.”

The Horn Book

“Florence writes knowingly about middle-school concerns and thoughtfully tackles issues of gender identity, consent, menstruation, and the general lack of access to emergency hygiene products in schools…With engaging, multidimensional characters […] and a topic not often tackled in middle-grade fiction, this timely tale will be popular with older tweens.”

Booklist

“An insightful novel with a unique protagonist facing a lot of changes…Lo Simpson Starts a Revolution deals with many topics, including women’s rights, consent, social justice, friendship, cosplay, change, bullying, and sexual harassment. Middle school readers will enjoy reading about the way that Lo deals with the challenges in her life. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Unflinchingly tackles big issues and emphasizes the importance of speaking up for oneself and on behalf of others. A compelling look at friendship, activism, and self-confidence.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)