The story of how one young woman turned her passion for menstrual rights into an international movement.When debut author Okamoto was 16, her family experienced financial hardships that led to housing instability. The Portland, Oregon, teen, now a Harvard undergraduate, was deeply shaken by this crisis. She began speaking to homeless women about their experiences living on the streets, and as she developed relationships with them, she was shocked to discover that many had no access to safe menstrual hygiene products, often resorting to discarded newspapers or grocery sacks. These conversations inspired her to found PERIOD, a nonprofit dedicated to making menstrual health a universal human right. Part memoir and part manifesto, the book uses Okamoto's personal journey as a teen activist as a springboard to discuss everything from the technical aspects of menstruation to the history of menstrual taboos in the United States to the menstrual movement's policy priorities and environmental sustainability. The book is truly intersectional, and Okamoto is refreshingly open about her commitment to amplifying the menstrual experiences of transgender and nonbinary people as well as menstruators of various races, religions, sexualities, and class backgrounds. The final chapter is dedicated to taking action and will be a useful guide for activists inspired by this work. The friendly, chatty writing style ensures that the information-packed text remains accessible. Art not seen.A smart, honest, and comprehensive education on movement building and menstrual rights. (notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 13-adult)

Gr 7 Up-The founder of health and education organization PERIOD, weaves together the story of how brands, governments, and media companies shape the cultural conversation surrounding menstruation. From the outset, Okamoto's progressive perspective is clear: the stigma around periods contributes to discrimination. Beginning with a practical guide to safe and popular period products, the author follows with chapters on how periods are discussed on TV, how periods affect those who are homeless, and how periods relate to the concerns of intersectional feminism. While providing historical context and statistics to back up her claims (all of which are thoroughly cited at the end of the book), Okamoto also provides practical information on how readers can participate in ongoing efforts to destigmatize menstruation. She also provides information on organizations working to change legislation or provide no- or low-cost period products to people who are at-risk. Okamoto makes a point to use gender-neutral language throughout the book, explaining that periods do not only affect cisgender women. In every chapter, Okamoto informs without casting shame and presents a distinctly political point of view in a way that's conversational and affirming to myriad experiences. VERDICT Part health guide, part manifesto, this book has the potential to become the next go-to book for teens looking for more information about their bodies. Madison Bishop, Plymouth Public Library, Kingston, MA

Okamoto's book focuses on promoting a more positive view of menstruation, as well as addressing menstrual equity, an effort to combat limited access to menstrual products, either because of lack of funds or because the products are under control of someone else. She covers the social perception of periods in general, the attitudes that women can't be reasonable or rational while menstruating, and how many cultures view menstruation as something "dirty." She also describes the mechanics of menstruation and provides an overview of menstrual products over the years and how they were developed. Okamoto also discusses how transgender and gender-fluid students have difficulty accessing menstrual items as well. Okamoto writes with passion and power, her voice clear and straightforward as she describes the lengths that some women go to in order to get through their periods when their supplies of menstrual products are diminished, some of which could lead to infection or be seriously life-threatening. In closing, she discusses how the reader can get involved. Meticulous notes and an extensive bibliography round out this empowering book.

The story of how one young woman turned her passion for menstrual rights into an international movement.When debut author Okamoto was 16, her family experienced financial hardships that led to housing instability. The Portland, Oregon, teen, now a Harvard undergraduate, was deeply shaken by this crisis. She began speaking to homeless women about their experiences living on the streets, and as she developed relationships with them, she was shocked to discover that many had no access to safe menstrual hygiene products, often resorting to discarded newspapers or grocery sacks. These conversations inspired her to found PERIOD, a nonprofit dedicated to making menstrual health a universal human right. Part memoir and part manifesto, the book uses Okamoto's personal journey as a teen activist as a springboard to discuss everything from the technical aspects of menstruation to the history of menstrual taboos in the United States to the menstrual movement's policy priorities and environmental sustainability. The book is truly intersectional, and Okamoto is refreshingly open about her commitment to amplifying the menstrual experiences of transgender and nonbinary people as well as menstruators of various races, religions, sexualities, and class backgrounds. The final chapter is dedicated to taking action and will be a useful guide for activists inspired by this work. The friendly, chatty writing style ensures that the information-packed text remains accessible. Art not seen.A smart, honest, and comprehensive education on movement building and menstrual rights. (notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 13-adult)