But this helps to reinforce the message that it is OK to be on different sides of the fence, but listen and grow. Especially as her mother is embarking on a relationship of her own with someone of a very different political persuasion. I thought the relationship with her mother, a riotgrrl of her own was lovingly explored. Vivian's tentative first relationship with Seth is explored beautifully as she is awkward in this situation. Relationships are beautifully handled, especially the acceptance of each other's differences and opinions. She is amazed at the response that Moxie gets while remaining anonymous and realising that Moxie is more than what she started. Vivian is very likeable, angry at what she sees with girls often told to 'make me a Sandwich' implying they should be in the kitchen. It's fun, joyful, and not remotely preachy. If you want something to get you out of a funk, then I would heartily recommend this. And Moxie takes off and becomes a movement for all, forging friendships across cultural, racial and gender divides. Stumbling across her mother's box of riotgrrl memorabilia including zines she created to smash the system, Vivian is inspired to create a zine of her own calling out the behaviour at school and encouraging Moxie girls to fight back. A game of 'Bump and Grind' is allowed to take place in the school corridors and is dismissed as harmless fun. The teachers perform dress code inspections, telling girls to dress appropriately in case their clothes are a distraction to the male members of school. A school that places the happiness of its star football players above everything else. Vivian is sick of her small town Texas school. Amy Poehler stays pretty faithful to the book with a few exceptions, mostly around the secondary characters. The movie adaptation is on Netflix and directed by Amy Poehler from Parks and Rec fame. I did the unthinkable and watched the film before reading the book.

It's at times like these, I need either a) a good book, b) an uplifting film or c) both.

I have some grass to rake and it is currently teeming down with rain. At the time of writing, we are heading towards the Bank Holiday. Yorkshire, where I live, is especially known for its damp weather.

Moxie book