Free Period

by Ali Terese

Helen and Gracie are BFFs, and their favorite way to bond is through pranks. Unfortunately, their latest one was a big stinker (literally), and now their punishment is to work with the community club to make a difference.

As they navigate challenges to their friendship and find out that they actually really do care about period equity, they'll have to fight the system while staying true to themselves and each other.

How Self-Paced Book Club Classes Work

Participation in the self-paced book club includes immediate access to a set of resources and activities to be completed at your own pace.

Families are welcome to use as many or as few of the suggested resources and activities as they'd like to fit their interest and schedules.

Book Club Materials

  • Suggested Reading Schedule

  • Reading Guides with Comprehension Questions (PDF and Google Slides)

  • Vocabulary and Reading Activities

  • Writing/Multimodal Project Prompts

  • Live and Video Discussion of the Book

  • Final Project Feedback Rubrics

Ages:

9-13

Supplies:

  • A copy of the book Free Period (ISBN: 9781338835830)
    Used and borrowed copies will work just fine! If your learner is going to participate in final projects and reading guides, I recommend having a physical copy even if they primarily read the ebook or audiobook. (Dayla Learning Bookshop Link)
  • PDF reader
  • Access to printer recommended


Content Notes: 

This book discusses menstrual products (including tampons and pads) in a non-graphic and straightforward way. While not explicitly stated in the book, many have read one of the protagonists as neurodivergent-coded. These elements of diversity and non-shaming discussions of bodily needs are highlighted as strengths of the book.

Pricing options

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities.

Meet Your Teacher!

Michelle Parrinello-Cason

Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason is the founder of Dayla Learning. She has a PhD in rhetoric and composition, a passion for helping students find their writing voice, and two homeschooling children of her own. Michelle has taught in a wide variety of settings including six years as a full-time college professor. She has been teaching virtual and in-person homeschool writing and humanities classes for more than five years. Michelle believes in meeting students where they are and — as any of her previous students will tell you — believes deeply that there is no such thing as a bad rough draft!