THE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCE OF BLEEDING ON A TUESDAY

What should be the most rewarding day of Delia’s high school career instead leads to her expulsion from her Texas prep school.

Since middle school, 17-year-old Delia’s periods have brought her debilitating pain. This month, when her period begins two days early, it threatens to keep her home on a day when she must be present in order to stay in a prestigious premed program. Delia’s well-meaning sister gives her a homemade THC tincture that provides some relief, allowing her to go to school and meet her mentor—but when the dean discovers the substance, Delia’s kicked out. She must finish the year at public school. There, she reconnects with former best friend Ruby, who’s navigating her own medical issues with irritable bowel syndrome. Attendance policies that ignore complex illnesses could prevent both girls from graduating on time. Ruby’s activism around the subject inspires Delia to raise her own voice in a way that she’s been hesitant to before. An engaging protagonist, Delia often feels that she’s “too much” for her supportive family and friends. Her first-person narration is refreshingly candid as she chronicles her medical journey, including details of a pelvic exam by one of the many gynecologists she sees in search of a diagnosis. Delia’s determination to manage her medical condition ultimately pays off in unexpected ways. Delia and Ruby are cued white; other friends are racially diverse.

An honest, empowering, and relatable story about self-advocacy and perseverance in the face of discrimination.