Period

Starred review from April 16, 2018
Twelve contributors discuss their personal experiences with and thoughts about menstruation. The essays frequently address the continued stigma attached to periods, as well as the strides being made to erase, as Farrell describes in an introduction, “the culture of secrecy and shame surrounding them.” The essays are unified in their focus on a topic that crosses social, economic, and cultural boundaries, but the contributors also broaden the content by integrating their own singular perspectives. Santina Muha writes about what it’s like to have her period “as a girl in a wheelchair,” while Ashley Reese reflects on how the statistical likelihood of black girls starting their periods earlier may help propagate negative stereotypes—many that she grappled with as a girl: “I’m struck by how I viewed my early period as a true curse, passed from mother to daughter. More specifically, black mother to black daughter.” With refreshing candor, humor, and eloquence, the authors address menstruation as it’s perceived, as it’s presented, and as it is behind it all. Ages 18–up.

June 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-Farrell has collected 12 strong voices that help remove stigma and squeamishness about menstruation. The essays are refreshing in their frank, clearheaded approach to the topic. All are very good and exceptionally personal, and each one will speak to a different reader. From Kiran Gandhi, who ran the London Marathon free bleeding, to the realities of menstruation for women who are homeless, Farrell's cadre of candid feminist writings will inspire readers to think about periods in a liberated way. Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow's humorous "Periods and Friendship" ("Public transit while menstruating is the worst") and Ingrid Nilsen's "There's a First Time for Everything" ("My period, as annoying, frustrating, and painful as it can be sometimes, has taught me so much about my body and my life") are among the stand outs. Though there are no illustrations, the pages are colorfully trimmed in red. VERDICT A sophisticated read and an excellent addition to open up conversations with teens and/or to accompany gender studies programs and resource centers.-Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

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