The Red Club consists of a group of girls who meet every Wednesday in the Hawking Middle School Library. The only requirement for joining the club is that the girl must have started having periods - hence the name, "The Red Club." The club started so many years ago that nobody remembers how it began, but girls benefit from the time together sharing problems and getting answers to questions not only about their periods, but also about their lives in general. Riley Dunne, 8th grader, has been part of the group since she was in 7th grade and loves being available to help younger girls with their problems. One morning, however, Principal Pickford, makes a PA announcement indicating that school rules will now be strictly enforced and students should go back and reread their handbooks. Riley doesn't worry until several of her friends are sent home from school for violating the dress code, Principal Pickford becomes the new advisor for the school newspaper, and The Red Club is dissolved. Riley and her friends feel that everything is being taken away from them and must come up with something to make it stop.
The Red Club is a quick and funny middle grade story with a real message about the value of communication. Overall, a very good read. ( )

In a nutshell, this is MOXIE for middle schoolers. Parent complaints have led to a school-wide crackdown: the school newspaper is taken away from the beloved advisor and shut down, girls are being dress-coded left and right, and the Red Club - a support group for girls with their periods - has been shut down. How will Riley and her friends fight to regain their rights? Through appeals to the administration, investigative work, writing, and pranks/demonstrations. Somewhat soapbox-y, but good and necessary.

See also: Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu (YA), Go With the Flow (graphic novel)

"It's not ladylike to talk about certain-"
"It IS ladylike," I interrupted. "Because these things happen to LADIES. It's natural. It's normal.. It's nothing to be embarrassed of. I will never be ashamed of being a girl." (40)

"There's no reason to be embarrassed."
"I know I SHOULDN'T feel embarrassed, but I still do." (Riley and Ava, 103)

"But I have the same dress and they let me in."
"I guess it's not the dress, then. I guess I'M inappropriate." (Riley and Stella, 127)

"Well, that's the point, right? To make people uncomfortable and then, eventually, comfortable." (Riley to Cee, 151)

"I really thought today would work. That they'd realize the only education that was getting interrupted was ours. That they'd see us all together and realize they couldn't send us all home." (Cee to Riley, 190)

"I'm angry. I'm tired. And I'm tired of being angry." (Riley, 200)

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