Published: 2022
Series: N/A (Standalone)
Author: Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt
Illustrator: N/A
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult, Feminism, Social Justice, Romance
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 9-12 (High School)
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)
Goodreads Link: Does My Body Offend You?
Triggers: Sexual assault, drinking, swearing, racism
Review By: Stephanie Kenific
Publisher’s Summary:
A timely story of two teenagers who discover the power of friendship, feminism, and standing up for what you believe in, no matter where you come from. A collaboration between two gifted authors writing from alternating perspectives, this compelling novel shines with authenticity, courage, and humor.
Malena Rosario is starting to believe that catastrophes come in threes. First, Hurricane María destroyed her home, taking her unbreakable spirit with it. Second, she and her mother are now stuck in Florida, which is nothing like her beloved Puerto Rico. And third, when she goes to school bra-less after a bad sunburn and is humiliated by the school administration into covering up, she feels like she has no choice but to comply.
Ruby McAllister has a reputation as her school’s outspoken feminist rebel. But back in Seattle, she lived under her sister’s shadow. Now her sister is teaching in underprivileged communities, and she’s in a Florida high school, unsure of what to do with her future, or if she’s even capable making a difference in the world. So when Ruby notices the new girl is being forced to cover up her chest, she is not willing to keep quiet about it.
Neither Malena nor Ruby expected to be the leaders of the school’s dress code rebellion. But the girls will have to face their own insecurities, biases, and privileges, and the ups and downs in their newfound friendship, if they want to stand up for their ideals and––ultimately––for themselves.
Review:
This book explores a highly relevant topic related to gender and racial discrimination–high school dress codes. For the most part, it’s a very realistic and empowering take on two young women who decide to fight back against the unequal application of the dress code. Malena, whose body type is larger and curvaceous, is called into the principal’s office because she has no bra–partly because she is a hurricane refugee from Puerto Rico with limited clothing options and partly because of a sunburn. Ruby, an older white student, steps in immediately to shut down the injustice. Because Malena is at first very apprehensive about standing up for herself, Ruby decides to go braless one day herself. She is not punished until she visits the office and demands to be given detention.
While she has good intentions, Ruby makes many missteps in assuming leadership of the dress code movement; she learns that she should not be the face of the struggle because she is neither the best-prepared nor the most-affected. Instead, Malena must overcome her initial anxieties to be able to raise her voice and lead other young people into a successful protest. Along the way, Malena and Ruby learn about different subgroups of students who have been unfairly dress-coded–Black students in hoodies, LGBTQ folks with nail polish, and other bodies who don’t fit the norm. The authors explore the concept of intersectionality with several poignant relationships.
There were a few forgiveable moments of unrealistic behavior. For instance, when Malena and Ruby begin talking about how to fight the dress code, they are immediately connected with a feminist reporter who publishes a viral story based on their struggles. I’m not sure this would happen. However, the majority of the story does follow a more realistic arc as the students realize they have to take the movement into their own hands and speak for themselves rather than letting someone else do it for them. Young readers, especially young women, would likely appreciate the depth of characters and story!
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- English Language Arts / Media Literacy: Address the reviewer’s note about the viral news story. Have students analyze real-world youth-led movements that gained national traction via media or social platforms. Students can evaluate how public framing affects the success or reception of school protests.
- Social Studies (Intersectionality & Civil Rights): Explore the novel’s thematic focus on intersectionality. Use Malena and Ruby’s varying experiences to hold a classroom debate or research unit on how institutional rules (such as dress codes) can disproportionately and differently affect students based on race, body type, gender expression, and cultural background.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Allyship: Examine Ruby’s missteps as a well-meaning white ally. Run a literature circle or restorative circle discussion surrounding the difference between “saviorism” and true, supportive allyship, focusing on how dominant groups can step back to amplify marginalized voices rather than taking them over.
- School Leadership Extension Activity: Have students analyze their own school or district student handbook and dress code guidelines. Task them with writing a collaborative, revised policy proposal that ensures equity, gender neutrality, and inclusivity, which they can formally present to school administrators or the school board.
