Girls Can’t Hit by T.S. Easton - ADVISABLE

Girls Can’t Hit by T.S. Easton, 259 pages, Feiwel and Friends Book (Macmillan), 2018, $17. 

Language: PG (23 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Fleur Waters is 16 and dating a safe guy named George, listens as her parents argue about how best to load the dishwasher, and participates in Battle, a reenactment of the Battle of Hastings fought in Battle.  Her life seems pretty ordinary until she shows up at a boxing class with her feminist friend to prove a point, but ends up the only girl in the program. Fleur realizes she is out of shape, has an overprotective mother who hates the idea, and friends who don’t get her new obsession.  As she works to get fit, she discovers a lot about herself.  

Fleur is a fun character and I love her wry observations.  The book explores themes of body image and feminism, but it doesn’t get too heavy. It was fun to see Fleur evolve throughout the book.  I liked the message it gives teens about going after a goal even when it’s hard or people don’t get it or don’t understand it. I gained a whole new appreciation for boxing.

Michelle in the Middle, Teacher