Feminism in YA – Part 1

I recently started doing a two part post each month in which I recommend some books. I have done one about inclusive books, and my most recent one was all about audiobooks. This month I wanted to discuss and recommend YA books that discuss feminism or are feminist books! This is going to be a two part post as there are quite a few feminist YA books that I want to talk about and recommend! Here is part one of Feminism in YA post!The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven

“Izzy O’Neill is an aspiring comic, an impoverished orphan, and a Slut Extraordinaire. Or at least, that’s what the malicious website flying round the school says. Izzy can try all she wants to laugh it off – after all, her sex life, her terms – but when pictures emerge of her doing the dirty with a politician’s son, her life suddenly becomes the centre of a national scandal. Izzy’s never been ashamed of herself before, and she’s not going to start now.”

This book is wonderful, it makes you laugh, it makes you cry and it will make you angry with all the things Izzy goes through! This book is feminist right to its very core. The Exact Opposite of Okay is all about slut-shaming, revenge porn and the ridiculous double standards between men and women when it comes to their sexuality. I loved this book a lot and cannot wait to read the sequel which is out now. This book is wonderful!

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What’s a Girl Gotta Do? by Holly Bourne

“HOW TO START A FEMINIST REVOLUTION:

1. Call out anything that is unfair on one gender

2. Don’t call out the same thing twice (so you can sleep and breathe)

3. Always try to keep it funny

4. Don’t let anything slide. Even when you start to break…

Lottie’s determined to change the world with her #Vagilante vlog. Shame the trolls have other ideas…”

This book is spectacular and talks about what it means to be a feminist in today’s society. It has this wonderful quote in it, “When a man gives his opinion, he’s a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she’s a bitch.” Feminisim leaps off every page of this book and it will leave you thinking. Holly Bourne has written an incredible feminist YA book that will stick with you for years to come.

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We Are Not Okay by Natália Gomes

“If only they could have spoken out.
Lucy thinks she’s better than the other girls.
Maybe if she’s pointing fingers at everyone else, no one will see the secret she’s hiding.

Ulana comes from a conservative Muslim family where reputation is everything. One rumour –
true or false – can destroy futures.

Trina likes to party. She’s kissed a lot of boys. She’s even shown her red bra to one. But she didn’t consent to that
night at Lucy’s party. So why doesn’t anyone believe
her?

Sophia loves her boyfriend. She does anything for him, even sends him photos of herself. So why is she the one being pointed at in the hallways, laughed at, spat at when it was him who betrayed her trust?”

We Are Not Okay tackles so many difficult topics, for some these may need trigger warnings. Bullying, ‘slut-shaming’, rape and suicide. These topics are extremely important to discuss, and this book discusses them incredibly well. This book never goes incredibly heavy on these issues, but it does discuss them throughout the book. I’m glad to see these issues being discussed in YA and to see that the author of this book is raising awareness of these issues. This book also has a feminist campaign in it that is spectacular to see and it is a quick-paced read.

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Remix by Non Pratt

“Kaz is still reeling from being dumped by the love of her life… Ruby is bored of hearing about it. Time to change the record.

Three days. Two best mates. One music festival. Zero chance of everything working out.”

This novel is an atmospheric ode to female best friends and is a must read. This book shows how important it is to have friendship and how much friendships can improve your life. Kaz and Ruby are a wonderful pair of friends and it is wonderful to read about them. This book is packed full of feminism and female friendship and is well worth a read! This is the perfect book to read over the summer months too. I am planning on taking this on holiday with me in the summer to read it all over again!

What feminist YA books have you enjoyed? Let me know in the comments below. Be sure to look out for part two of this series coming soon!