LO SIMPSON STARTS A REVOLUTION

A quirky preteen fights misogyny and toxic social norms.

Dr. Who superfan Lo Simpson, 12, would rather be planning her next cosplay than shopping for bras or giggling over boys. Unfortunately, that’s all her longtime best friend, Jazz, seems to want to do—that and infiltrate the ultra-popular It Girls clique, even if it means leaving Lo behind. Unsure of who she is without Jazz, Lo has to find her own way through the maze of middle school. A mutual love of comics and Dr. Who connects Lo to a new crowd, where she feels like she can be her authentic self. With their support, Lo finds her voice and learns how to use it, whether that means breaking up an uncomfortable game of spin the bottle or facing down her school principal on issues of gender equality. Lo documents the ups and downs of her life with confessional letters to the Tenth Doctor that some readers may find border on cringey. Although her approach is occasionally heavy-handed, Florence tackles topics such as sexism, consent, and menstruation with a matter-of-fact tone that will resonate with readers. She paints a hopeful, if sometimes overly simplified, picture of how one person can instigate change for themselves and others. Characters are minimally described physically; diversity in family structure and gender identity is represented among the cast members.

A thoroughly modern coming-of-age tale.