This month’s FYA Book Club selection is Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu. Check out the discussion questions below! (Slight spoilers ahead.)
P.S. If you’ve already read the book, feel free to add any other discussion questions of your own in the comments!
Content Warning
This book features a description of a sexual assault (a boy gropes a girl) and references (but does not describe) an attempted rape.
Icebreaker
Vivian finds out that her mother had a much more interesting past than she imagined when she finds her mom’s Riot Grrrl memorabilia from the 90s. Have you ever discovered something about your parents that made them seem a lot cooler?
OR
What was your exposure to and perspective on feminism when you were in high school? Did you embrace the term, like Vivian, or were you initially wary of it, like Claudia?
Questions
1. Vivian’s journey to feminism included other characters pointing out that her views were occasionally less than intersectional. Do you think the book explored this concept effectively?
2. What did you think about Jennifer Mathieu’s portrayal of a male ally in the form of Seth Acosta?
3. Emma Johnson was a blind spot for Viv. How did the book utilize Emma and other characters to explore hidden biases?
4. Viv doesn’t understand why her mother starts dating a guy who votes Republican. Did you empathize and/or identify with her mom?
5. Did the book’s portrait of a small Texas town feel authentic to you? What about the culture at East Rockport High?
6. Like most grandparents, Meemaw and Grandpa have their quirks. Which trait was your favorite?
7. Viv started the Moxie revolution with zines (the ‘90s method), but Lucy eventually turned their story into national news by posting it on the internet (the current method). Do you think social media provides a way for more teens to have their voices heard? Or does it actually hinder or obscure them?
8. Were you already familiar with the Riot Grrrl movement? If so, did this book shed a new light on it for you, and if not, did the book spark your interest in learning more about it?
