I've Got My Period. So What?

July 15, 2017
Menstruation is viewed through a feminist lens in this nonfiction work by white, Swedish YouTube celebrity Henry. An earnest, accessible take on getting and managing a monthly menstrual period is offered in this guide that uses both anatomically correct terms ("vagina," "uterus") and slang ("vajayjay," "Down There"--as this is a translation, readers may wonder what the original Swedish terms are). It also refers to people awkwardly throughout as either "uterus-carriers" or "dick-owners," a dichotomy that makes clear the audience is presumed to be a cisgender one. Segments explain in practical terms how ovulation and menstruation work and provide facts about such topics as cramps, PMS, endometriosis, and the various products available for absorbing the blood of a period, such as menstrual cups, tampons, panty liners, and sanitary pads. However, what sets this apart from other works that explain the basics of these processes is its extensive examination of the societal attitudes (including a short section that looks at these cross-culturally) that often cause shame around this natural bodily function and how it can be used in sexist ways to discount women who speak their minds: "Ooh, someone has her period!" Henry suggests many funny, razor-sharp comebacks to this kind of belittling. Appealingly laid out in black and white with color washes and photos, comics-style graphics, and pull quotes, this chatty, frank, exhaustive exploration provides both solid information and plenty to think about. (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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September 25, 2017
Being prepared can make having one’s period no big deal, asserts Henry, a Swedish YouTuber and comedian. With candid humor and lots of slang, she describes the biological reasons for menstruation (and how it’s been viewed over time), addresses period myths, and gives practical tips on protection and dealing with menstrual pain. She arms readers with snappy retorts in case of accidents (“This is my interpretation of a Kandinsky painting”) and with an awareness of sexist attitudes surrounding menstruation, as exemplified by the annoying quip, “Are you on your period or something?” With knowledge, feminist insights, and period-related hacks (“Mini-tampons are surprisingly efficient at stopping nosebleeds”), Henry empowers readers to erase the stigmas attached to a topic that remains unnecessarily taboo. Ages 12–up.

October 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-More than just a guide for what to expect while menstruating, this is a feminist manifesto encouraging menstruation pride. Henry, a Swedish blogger and YouTube star, employs a chatty and friendly writing style to convey practical information along with her empowering message. Early chapters cover potential issues for first time menstruators such as what one might expect physically and emotionally and what sanitary protection products are available and how to use them. A brief history of how menstruation has been treated over time and across cultures is covered. Henry then addresses how to deal with potentially embarrassing situations-such as bleeding through clothing-and how to stand up to period-shamers. She encourages people to talk about having their periods and to openly carry their tampons and pads to the bathroom at school. Henry uses frank language and often refers to women as "uterus-carriers" and men as either "testicle-carriers" or "dick-owners" as she dispels myths about what you can and cannot do while menstruating, gives tips on how to talk about menstruation, and even addresses questions relating to having sex while menstruating. Black-and-white illustrations are more decorative than illustrative; goofy photographs of the youthful Henry add color and self-deprecating humor. This is a first-person, informal approach to period talk-no sources or additional resources are listed. VERDICT Intriguing but not a must-have. Most libraries will want to stick with Karen and Jennifer Gravelle's now classic The Period Book: A Girl's Guide to Growing Up.-Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn

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