The Female of the Species Summary
Mindy McGinnis

The Female of the Species Overview

The Female of the Species is a contemporary YA novel by Mindy McGinnis. The story follows three teenagers living in rural Ohio. Alex Craft is dealing with the fallout of her sister's rape and murder by embracing violence. Claire, the preacher's daughter, is assigned to work with Alex at the animal shelter for a school project. And Jack, the star athlete who's dated the whole school, is pretty sure he is in love with Alex despite the fact that she is his biggest competition for valedictorian. The three characters spend their senior year colliding with one another, but one disastrous day will alter the course of their lives forever. The novel explores rape culture, female violence, internalized misogyny, the morality of animals, and the difference between sympathy and empathy.