- Free Period
- by Ali Terese
- Narrated by Josephine Huang and Cassandra Morris
- Scholastic Inc.
- Publication Date: March 5, 2024
- ISBN: 9781338835830
Best friends, Helen and Gracie, will go down in infamy for their epic pranks. However, in their last few months before becoming high schoolers, they go one prank too far. In jeopardy of being sent to different high schools, Helen and Gracie must show that they have reformed their ways and care about something. Community Action Club seems like the quickest way to get everyone off their backs, but no one is more surprised than these friends when they develop a strong commitment to the future of this club. After Helen’s period shows up early and she ruins her pants, the club’s agenda to get period products in all of the school restrooms becomes more personal than ever. While it will be hard for Gracie and Helen to give up their pranking past, they are willing to try to redirect their efforts into solving this major problem at their school.
This contemporary fiction novel will inspire listeners, no matter their gender identity, to seek equality and work for the changes in their world. Free Period shows that even class clowns and pranksters can redirect their chaos for good. These characters get wildly hilarious while continuing to keep the heart of the story ever-present. The audiobook expertly matches the story’s tone and elevates Helen and Gracie as characters. Huang and Morris keep each character’s voice unique and also warm listeners to see beyond Helen’s evil-genius exterior. This novel can be added to change-maker book lists alongside Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone and Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu.
-Sarah Carpenter
Other Nominated Titles
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
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