Lo Simpson Starts a Revolution

Lo and her best friend Jazz are “nearly thirteen”, but they are starting to disagree about a lot of things. Jazz wants to go to the mall to shop for bras, but Lo is thinking about the new female Doctor Who. Lo can’t believe Jazz is serious about buying bras. Why isn’t she perfecting her latest cosplay outfit instead? Jazz seems to only want to talk about fashion while Lo is enjoying the sunshine and looking for caterpillars.

Each year, Lo and Jazz put the chrysalis of a caterpillar into a jar and watch it change into a butterfly, “Metamorphosing until it hatched into an orange-and-black monarch.” (p. 5) Lo loved the idea of the caterpillar changing into something new, but she can’t stand the idea of Jazz becoming obsessed with fashion and boys! Jazz starts to hang out with the “cool girls”, and ignore her best friend, and, as a result, Lo copes with her loss by starting a journal. Each day, she writes about her thoughts and feelings, addressing them to Doctor Who. Her first entry is, “Dear Doctor, I think I’m losing my best friend.” (p. 13)

Lo must learn to deal with her new life even though she continues to be obsessed with the Doctor Who saga and cosplay. She realizes that Jazz has left her behind, despite their strong connection that began in grade two when Jazz defended her from the bully Bobby Zucker. Lo’s mother, a lawyer, is very supportive. While dealing with a sexual harassment case, she talks to Lo about the difficult topic of consent and the fact that no one should be allowed to say or do anything to someone which makes them uncomfortable. These issues had not been dealt with in sex ed class where topics include periods, condoms, sex, and masturbation. Free condoms are given out at the school, and the boys blow them up for fun. They bully the popular girls at lunchtime and throw the condoms at them. Lo steps in, ends the bullying, and confronts bully Bobby Zucker.

Instead of dealing with the inappropriate actions and comments by Bobby and his friends, the principal lectures Lo. Jazz is grateful to Lo for helping, and, when Jazz gets her period unexpectedly, Lo helps her as well. However, they discover that there are no period supplies anywhere. Lo asks the principal why, when condoms are given out free, this is the case. Why can’t the school provide free period supplies for girls? In order to deal with this perceived inequality, Lo starts a “revolutionary” campaign to correct this injustice.

The addition of Lo’s “Doctor Who” journal to the novel is a good way to gain insight into the unique mind of 12-year-old Lo. She feels that, if anyone could help her, it would be the Doctor. She is going through many changes in her life – physical, mental, emotional, and social. She feels she has lost her best friend Jazz, but she still acts like a good friend when Jazz needs help. Lo’s courage and ingenuity are shown in her campaign to get menstrual products into the school. The topic may be a bit awkward for her in her discussions with the principal, but she perseveres because she believes in the cause. She also enlists others in her cause – including boys and teachers.

Melanie Florence has written an insightful novel with a unique protagonist facing a lot of changes in her life. Just like the chrysalis Lo watches every year, she is growing up and learning to use her voice – like the caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Lo Simpson Starts a Revolution deals with many topics, including women’s rights, consent, social justice, friendship, cosplay, change, bullying, and sexual harassment. Middle school readers will enjoy reading about the way that Lo deals with the challenges in her life, even as she realizes: “Everything had changed this year.” (p. 19)