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Summary
Summary
Fleur Waters never takes anything seriously--until she shows up at her local boxing club one day to prove a point. She's the only girl there, and the warm-up alone is exhausting . . . but the workout gives her an escape from home and school, and when she lands her first uppercut on a punching bag she feels a rare glow of satisfaction.
So she goes back the next week, determined to improve. Fleur's overprotective mom can't abide the idea of her entering a boxing ring (why won't she join her pilates class instead?). Her friends don't get it either and even her boyfriend, 'Prince' George, seems concerned by her growing muscles and appetite--but it's Fleur's body, Fleur's life. So she digs in her heels in hope that she can overcome the obstacles and strike a blow for equality .
Author Notes
T. S. Easton is an experienced author of fiction for all ages in the UK. He lives in Surrey with his wife and three children. Boys Don't Knit received a Carnegie Medal nomination (2015), a Kirkus Best Book of 2015 as well as three starred reviews.
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up-Fleur Waters didn't dream of becoming a boxer, but in this follow-up to Boys Don't Knit, she certainly ends up as one. When readers first meet Fleur, her life is pretty decent. She has parents who love her and each other, but squabble a bit; a boyfriend, George, who is too into his routines, but is a safe choice; and two best friends, Blossom and Pip, who are exceedingly quirky. When über-feminist Blossom discovers that a local boxing club is holding a separate women's night, she drags Fleur and Pip along to protest this blatant sexism. Fleur is initally drawn to the club almost exclusively to spite her friend, but she ultimately ends up taking boxing in earnest-much to the chagrin of her mom and boyfriend, who both fear for her safety. After weeks of hard work, Fleur's goals quickly shift from general fitness to learning how to spar. Her club organizes an exhibition match to promote the sport, and Fleur must choose between fighting or bowing out. Full of funny moments, this sequel features a quick-witted young woman discovering herself by embracing possibilities and trying something new. An author's note speaks to Easton's understanding of his bias and male privilege, which may assuage some readers' concerns. VERDICT Especially alongside its predecessor, it's a real one-two punch. Many will want to consider as a first purchase.-Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, WI © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
A teen boxer's dry sense of humor, as well as her quirky friends and small English town, charm in this empowering coming-of-age story. Sixteen-year-old Fleur lacks true passion about most things in her life, but when her best friend, Blossom, a fired-up feminist, enlists her to help with a protest over gender restrictions at a local boxing club, Fleur signs up for a class on a whim and slowly comes to love it. Her stodgy boyfriend, her anxious and protective mother, and even Blossom don't understand Fleur's commitment to her new interest, and at times-such as when she's sweating profusely and nearly puking-Fleur's not sure about it herself. But as the weeks pass, what started as a lark becomes the most serious thing in Fleur's life, rippling out across all her relationships, as she trains hard and sets the goal of stepping into the ring for a match. Fleur's newfound strength, both physical and emotional, and her changing attitude toward herself build to a satisfying final round. Ages 13-up. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Fleur's pretty sure she's a bad feminist. She doesn't stand up to people the way her best friend, Blossom, does. She even muted Emma Watson on Twitter. So when one of Blossom's crusades takes them to a local boxing gym, Fleur surprises everyone, including herself, by signing up for a class. She's even more surprised when she goes back the next week. She's the only girl there, it's the hardest workout she's ever done in her life, and no one, from her Pilates-preferring mom to her orderly boyfriend, is thrilled that she's courting concussions and packing on muscle. But for the first time in her life, Fleur feels strong and willing to fight for something. Here Easton offers up a cheeky, girl-centric counterpoint to his acclaimed Boys Don't Knit (2015). Lighthearted and irreverent, this British import is a feminist sports story rooted in humor. Readers will enjoy watching smart-mouthed Fleur gain confidence as a boxer and as a young woman, and the always-popular underdog sports narrative will attract many readers.--Reagan, Maggie Copyright 2010 Booklist
