I Am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times
4/5
()
Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this ebook
Monique Polak
Monique Polak is the author of more than thirty books for young people. She is the three-time winner of the Quebec Writers' Federation Prize for Children's and YA Literature for her novels Hate Mail, What World is Left and Room for One More. In addition to teaching at Marianopolis College in Montreal, Monique is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in Maclean's Magazine, the Montreal Gazette and other Postmedia newspapers. She is also a columnist on ICI Radio-Canada's Plus on est de fous, plus on lit! In 2016, Monique was the CBC/Quebec Writers' Federation inaugural writer-in-residence. Monique lives in Montreal.
Read more from Monique Polak
Straight Punch Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5So Much It Hurts Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Home Invasion Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Junkyard Dog Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Taste of Rain Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finding Elmo Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Bullies Rule Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNo More Pranks Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5121 Express Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Learning the Ropes Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Miracleville Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hate Mail Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPyro Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Forensics Squad Unleashed Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLeggings Revolt Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrincess Angelica, Camp Catastrophe Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPlanet Grief Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Room for One More Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrincess Angelica: Part-Time Lion Trainer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrincess Angelica, Junior Reporter Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Middle of Everywhere Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to I Am a Feminist
Related ebooks
Fight Like a Girl: 50 Feminists Who Changed the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Feminism: Reinventing the F-Word Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5After the Rise and Stall of American Feminism: Taking Back a Revolution Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFeminine Rising: Voices of Power and Invisibility Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCounting to D Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5In Good Hands: Remarkable Female Politicians from Around the World Who Showed Up, Spoke Out and Made Change Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDaughter 4254 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBattling Injustice: 16 Women Nobel Peace Laureates Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRAPE CULTURE 101: Programming Change Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNancy Garden's "Annie on My Mind": A Discussion Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBroken Butterflies Emerging Through Grief Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWithout: Body, Name, Country Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Dear Lover, Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTRANScestors: Navigating LGBTQ+ Aging, Illness, and End of Life Decisions Volume II: Generations of Change Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFat-Talk Nation: The Human Costs of America’s War on Fat Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSo Done Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Living the Edges: A Disabled Women's Reader Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpeak Up! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Siren Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeparation Anxiety: A Coming-of-Middle-Age Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWOMEN & ECONOMICS Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThus Saith Eve Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Hear #MeToo in India: News, Social Media, and Anti-Rape and Sexual Harassment Activism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMidnight Hour. A Collection of Lesbian Love Poems. Volume V Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPlantation Memories: Episodes of Everyday Racism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWomen of the Midan: The Untold Stories of Egypt's Revolutionaries Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe War on Women Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWonder Women: Sex, Power, and the Quest for Perfection Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Accidental Feminists Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
YA Social Themes For You
The Giver: A Newbery Award Winner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Summer I Turned Pretty Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Witch of Blackbird Pond: A Newbery Award Winner Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5They Both Die at the End Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hate U Give: A Printz Honor Winner Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This Is Where It Ends Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Better Than the Movies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Way I Used to Be Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Firekeeper's Daughter Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Thunderhead Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Me and Earl and the Dying Girl: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Toll Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ace of Spades Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Out of Darkness Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Movie Tie-in Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Daughter of the Pirate King Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Little Prince: New Translation by Richard Mathews with Restored Original Art Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Monster: A Printz Award Winner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Poet X Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Noughts & Crosses Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5SLAY Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Five Total Strangers Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Cellar Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pretty Little Liars Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All American Boys Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This Poison Heart Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Powerless Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Delirium Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for I Am a Feminist
34 ratings14 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Informative and an excellent read. I passed my copy on to several people who found the book a great teaching tool for their daughters. Well worth reading and sharing.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Well, I totally forgot I had read this one until now! But I super loved it. Very clear, very direct, and made an effort to include women of color and their efforts to promote inclusion, as well as why those efforts were often rebuffed.I did end up buying a copy of the finished product.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a good introduction to contemporary feminism. It offers a look at the historical background that most mainstream feminism has emerged from, and also covers the current trends and concerns. It is written in a very open and engaging way which should appeal to a variety of readers.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What is feminism? Why does it still matter? What exactly does intersectionality mean? In order to answer these (and many other) questions, I Am a Feminist first examines the history of feminism and then addresses the issues girls and women continue to face today. The book also looks at the ways in which people, especially young people, are working together to create a world where gender equality is a reality, not a dream. The author shares stories about the courageous individuals who have made a difference in the lives of women and girls worldwide. From suffragists to the #MeToo movement, I Am a Feminist encourages readers to stand up and speak out for equality and justice.
This was a short, quick read that was very informational, particularly for those that have little experience with feminism or want to learn more about the movement's history.
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This is a strong primer about the waves of feminism and why we are still protesting now. However it is important to note that sojourner truths famous address was originally written in educated English vernacular. They forced her to rewrite it. This is not gone into because it isn't what this book is about.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book, which is a brief and informative history and description of the feminist movement, is an excellent read. Although its intended target is probably female teens, most people, regardless of age or gender, would benefit from reading it.The book is well laid-out, beginning with the history of the movement in the first section, then moving through various aspects of feminism, before finishing up with a chapter on why males can and should be feminists. The author is Canadian, so I appreciated reading things from more of a Canadian point of view. The author included a few of her own experiences, which added to the overall story.The book is also well illustrated and contains a good number of mini biographies of people associated with the feminist movement. The book is quite up to date and included accounts of fairly recent events and happenings, such as the #metoo movement. Although it is more of an overview than a detailed book, this book would be a great starting point for anyone not too familiar with feminism. The author included a great selection of resources at the end of the book for anyone wishing to delve deeper.This is a book I'd recommend to anyone and I definitely benefited from reading it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A good primer on feminism that is so needed right now. Being an introduction geared for young adults, the book prioritizes breadth over depth in its quest to cover all the bases, but I did learn quite a bit. (Especially about issues in Canada, as this silly American tends to think of our northern neighbor as a liberal paradise.) I wish I had had this when I was a teen -- I would've gotten a clue about patriarchal bullshit much, much earlier.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.First of all, I think the title is off-putting to much of the targeted audience, at least in my view. If I were to write a book like this, I'd want boys and men to read this!! It's unfortunate to turn them away with a cover and picture that screams "this is a women's rights book". Conservatives, men/boys would be unlikely to pick up this book to read. And why? Because of the title and picture on the cover. It has a fist with painted nails- a kind of aggressive gesture. So, first thing I would do is change the title and cover. I can imagine what nay-sayers would say, "no, leave it as is, there's no need to kowtow to males and make anything more palatable ", but my response to this is, well, you just may be shooting yourself in the foot. The point of this book, I believe, is to educate and to attract otherwise improbable readers, to open their eyes, to instruct, to broaden perspective, to raise awareness of women's roles and needs and struggles and oppression. It serves no purpose to write and publish a book just to preach to the choir.Apart from that, this book is an excellent overview of women's issues. It is geared for middle schoolers, but I as a middle aged woman found it informative and helpful. Polak is from Canada, so much of the history is about her country, but she does include statistics from the US, and her general points are valid cross culturally. She defines terms well, such as rape culture "Rape Culture refers to the trivialization of male violence against woman to the blaming of victims". Polak includes some great photos too, such as one of a woman holding a sign which says:What causes rape?a) drinkingb) short skirtsc) flirtingc) rapistsOf course the answer is c!! But there are many women who would say all of the above. Sadly, even women will blame themselves for violence committed against them. We need to do something about this if we're going to stop it. We need to change our language about rape, and stop taking about it in the passive voice ie 'I was raped'.. instead, 'he raped me'. Stuff like this is so important.Polka addresses many other crucial issues, such as unequal pay for women, sexual double standards, body image, media and advertising, and sexual harassment. She begins the book with a short history of women's roles, the suffragette movement and women working outside the home. There were several points I disagreed with, such as abortion rights, but over all, Polak does a good job of giving middle schoolers an informed look at the history of women and the work that still needs to be done for women's rights.I so wish feminism were not a movement solely associated with extreme liberals. So many people dismiss feminism in this way, because of leaders they disagree with (like Gloria Steinem, but let's remember she stood up to Hugh Hefner and she did a great job!)or causes they can't support, and I do understand this, but let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Let's listen and learn something. Women still need to fight against harassment and unequal pay and mistreatment and violence. It's not a liberal issue. It's all women.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wonderful book for young adults that gives explanations and helpful information on feminism. The specific stories of real life feminists were especially interesting and provided information on some new issues/organizations that I had not heard of.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Monique Polak’s “I Am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times” is an important and relevant book for these times. As the title indicates, the book discusses and demystifies feminism in a way that is approachable and clear for young adults (ages 12 and up). Each chapter addresses a different aspect of feminism, including its history and its global reach as well as topics such as appearance, equality in the workplace, and allies in feminism.Polak does an excellent job of explaining a multifaceted topic in a way that is easy to understand and digest. Each chapter includes relevant pictures, interviews, profiles, and features, which further illustrate the ideas in the chapter. Many of the statistics, initiatives, and people noted are Canadian, which provides readers in the United States another perspective.In short, I highly recommend this book to anyone (teen or adult) looking for an introduction to feminism, and I am excited to share this with my students as a resource.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Monique Polak has written an engaging, accessible, and wide-ranging book on feminism for the YA audience (ages 12+). By the end of the book, the reader will have an understanding of the history of feminism from suffragists to the #MeToo movement. Polak touches on systemic barriers, intersectionality, domestic violence, rape culture, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and much more. I Am A Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times opens doors and windows to understanding and guides us to more with the inclusion of end matter such as Resources, References, and a Glossary. An easy read and a must read for all youth and anyone else, really, who needs a big view refresher on the importance of feminism.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I want to hand this book out to every teenager I meet. With chapters on romantic relationships, appearance, careers, intersectionality, and finding allies with boys and men, this book covers a lot of ground. I was especially taken with the chapter on the history of feminism, and seeing the current movement in context with all that has come before. There are anecdotes, profiles, and images dotted throughout the text, which gives a fuller view of the issues at hand. The author helpfully provides a glossary and list of resources for further exploration. Many of the references and interviews are Canadian, giving a slightly more global perspective for an American audience.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I must admit that I flipped through and jumped around reading this book. It's not necessarily a book you need to read cover to cover as each chapter is its own mini-lesson in 4th wave feminism and current ongoing discussions/topics on the subject. As a reader in their 30's, I am quite a bit older than the targeted YA audience for this book. However, there was still a ton for me to think about and it's definitely good to get a refresh on current topics. Now because it's written for ages 12 and up I'm wondering why they chose to title a chapter: "Raising Feminist Boys: Allies in the fight against Sexism." When presented that way it seems to be about actually raising a child. Going with "Allies in the fight against Sexism" angle clarifies the chapter. It includes male role models, and analyzes society's expectations of boys/gender roles and keeps boys in the discussion to show them how to be an ally.This would make an excellent book for a school or classroom library. There are plenty of pictures, insets, and fun facts that certainly make the topic accessible for anyone that isn't sure where to start when curious about feminism.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I Am A Feminist: Claiming the F-WORD in Turbulent Times by Monique PolakI enjoyed this book. I consider myself a feminist and thought I knew a lot of the names and history, but I definitely learned some new things.I liked the way it focused a lot on Canada since I didn't know much of the history there and I was not surprised to learn that Canada was a little ahead of the US in suffrage and things. I really liked the factthat it covered the intersectionality. I hear more about that latelyand it definitely is an important aspect of feminism. And of coursethe chapter on Raising Feminist Boys - that's definitely and importantpiece and ties directly into todays all-too common Toxic Masculinity.It is aimed toward young adults and I thinhk it really hits the markthere. I would definitely recommend it, even for older ages who arejust getting exposed to this important topic.