★" Celebrates a girl's determination to be comfortable with her body, defy double standards, and stand up for her beliefs. Fearless and filled with jubilant moxie; a must-read." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Liv is happy in her joggers, sports T-shirts and no bra.
She doesn't like tight jeans and doesn't feel comfortable in a bra. But one boy in her gym class, Jerry, harasses Liv with rude comments about her breasts. When she stands up to him, Liv is the one who finds herself in trouble. Even though her clothes fit the dress code, her principal insists that Liv wear a bra to gym class. It's unfair and Liv refuses to give in to the demand.
Gossip flies around the school as Liv stands up to Jerry and the school administration. Then a "free the boobs" campaign is started to demean Liv, and she and her friend Mia decide to take a stand. They create a poster to encourage girls to wear what they want without shame, but Liv is sent to the principal's office once again and is told that her poster will be taken down before the school's open house. But Liv isn't going to stand down. There are no school rules that dictate girls must wear bras. Why can't girls wear what they want without being shamed?
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading-level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read.
Key selling points
• The themes of dress codes, body diversity and confidence are explored with humor and sensitivity as Liv sticks to her morals and challenges the administration at her school.
• Shows the double standard for girls and school dress codes and the increased challenges faced by curvy girls, even if they are comfortable with their bodies and clothing choices.
• The spontaneous feminist movement that grows among Liv's classmates feels affirming and realistic without being heavy handed.
• A romantic subplot is subtle, age-appropriate and adds appeal.
• Enhanced features (highly-readable font, cream paper, larger trim size) increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.
In this high-interest accessible novel for teen readers, Liv finds herself at the center of a feminist movement when she's teased and reprimanded for not wearing a bra.
Lea Beddia is the author of books for young-adult striving readers. She is also a high school English teacher. Lea grew up in Montreal where she had a hard time learning French, but with time, practice and the right books, she can now say she is bilingual (trilingual, if you include the Italian she grew up with). She loves gelato, zombies and stories that show young people they can be powerful. She lives in Joliette, Quebec with her husband and three children. Orca Anchor books are short, high-interest novels with contemporary themes written specifically for teens reading below a grade 2.0 level. Why is Liv's body such a hot topic?
★ "This accessible book for reluctant readers is nuanced and well written. It celebrates a girl's determination to be comfortable with her body, defy double standards, and stand up for her beliefs while showcasing nonjudgemental support and unity. Fearless and filled with jubilant moxie; a must-read."
