Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Melissa Kantor’s Biology Lessons is a raw, timely exploration of friendship, resilience, and the challenges of personal autonomy in the wake of restricted reproductive rights. Set in Texas, the story follows Grace, a high school student with a clear path to a STEM future—until an unexpected pregnancy forces her to navigate the complex, often frustrating reality of abortion laws. With deft, realistic writing, Kantor tackles the controversial issues surrounding abortion access, particularly in states where it is heavily restricted, while weaving a story that is both engaging and emotional. Before going into the review, do note that the book does provide details about a medical/surgical abortion; if this kind of content is uncomfortable for you, you may not want to read this story.

The book is grounded in the strength of Grace’s friendship with her best friend, Addie. Through Addie’s fierce protectiveness and determination to support Grace, you will witness the transformative power of female friendship. Their bond becomes a source of strength and solace, especially as Grace finds herself isolated and forced to make difficult decisions. The story is also enriched by a support network called the “Jennifers,” a group of women who provide emotional and practical help, sharing their own stories and reaffirming that Grace is not alone in her struggle. This network of support adds a layer of hope and solidarity to a book that otherwise confronts harsh truths about the obstacles women face.

Kantor’s depiction of the bureaucratic and legal obstacles surrounding abortion in Texas is especially powerful, as she deftly outlines the hurdles Grace must overcome, even considering traveling out of state for the procedure. Through her journey, the book emphasizes just how much of the burden falls on women. Grace’s determination to make her own choice, despite the weight of prejudice and misinformation, illustrates the stark reality of being young, pregnant, and in search of autonomy. Her decision not to inform the baby’s father further highlights the gendered inequities that are central to the story.

This book is an eye-opening portrayal of how reproductive rights, or the lack thereof, impact young women’s lives. Kantor navigates these issues with sensitivity and balance, avoiding preachiness while illustrating the depth of Grace’s fear, frustration, and hope. This is a book that made me tear up quite a few times, especially when other women shared their stories and showed that Grace was not alone, that 1 in 4 women (as stated in the book) have had an abortion. There is some very powerful and important information in this book, information many young women should read. There is also an informative note from the author as well as two interviews after the epilogue that you definitely don’t want to skip as they were also very emotional and powerful.

Overall, “Biology Lessons” is a powerful novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate honest storytelling on difficult subjects. It’s a must-read for those seeking an empathetic, informed perspective on bodily autonomy and resilience in the face of adversity.

This is definitely going to be a controversial book when it releases but just because of that it doesn’t mean it’s not important. I really enjoyed reading this. Grace as a Texan high school student definitely has a future set for herself and I could identify with that. I also was set into being in a STEM career. So when I read she ends up pregnant and her future was in danger it was interesting to me to read about that experience from her perspective.

The shocking part of this book was how misinformed these teenager were. They don’t know the dangers, or the consequences until it happens to them and they start googling things. To me it was unthinkable but of course that is not the same experience for everyone.

Overall, this was eye opening in many aspects for me. It shows you how stressful it always is for the woman, but also shows you how dangerous and terrifying it is to be in Texas in this situation. And lastly, that epilogue were we see the man completely stress-free and how he is clueless that Grace’s decision gave him that. If Grace would’ve decided otherwise, his life would’ve changed too, but of course the whole burden was for Grace to bear and that show how unjust these situations are. Enjoyed this and I would totally recommend to people. If it was eye opening to me, it will be for several others too