I Rise - by Marie Arnold (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A love letter to Harlem and hope. I Rise is smart and funny and full of heart.*"

Fourteen-year-old Ayo who has to decide whether to take on her mother's activist role when her mom is shot by police. As she tries to find answers, Ayo looks to the wisdom of her ancestors and her Harlem community for guidance.

Ayo's mother founded the biggest civil rights movement to hit New York City in decades. It's called 'See Us' and it tackles police brutality and racial profiling in Harlem. Ayo has spent her entire life being an activist and now, she wants out. She wants to get her first real kiss, have a boyfriend, and just be a normal teen.

When her mom is put into a coma after a riot breaks out between protesters and police, protestors want Ayo to become the face of See Us and fight for justice for her mother who can no longer fight for herself. While she deals with her grief and anger, Ayo must also discover if she has the strength to take over where her mother left off.

This impactful and unforgettable novel takes on the important issues of inequality, systemic racism, police violence, and social justice.

*Kwame Alexander, New York Times bestselling author

When your mother's fight becomes your own, where do you find the strength to rise?

• Reluctant Activist: Fourteen-year-old Ayo never wanted to be a leader; she just wanted to be a normal teen. But when her mother is shot, she's the only one who can step up for the 'See Us' movement.
• A Powerful Mother-Daughter Story: Rosalie Bosia has been a civil rights icon her whole life, but to Ayo, she's just Mom. Their relationship is tested and transformed in the wake of tragedy.
• Community and Ancestors: Facing an impossible choice, Ayo draws on the wisdom of her Harlem neighborhood and the ancestors who walked its streets before her.
• A Timely Social Justice Novel: Perfect for teens, parents, and educators, this novel tackles the urgent issues of systemic racism and inequality with honesty and heart.

Review Quotes

Arnold's powerful story unfolds the complexities of the life of a Black child in America and how their Blackness is an aspect of their character permanently stitched into their skin. This book is rich with Black history and truth, and Arnold aptly proves the point that there are indeed two Americas. A powerful read for justice-minded teens. - ALA Booklist

"Arnold threads Black history, culture, and current events into her narrative, giving the reader a firsthand view of what it means to be young and Black in New York City today through Ayo's experiences. A powerful and very engaging story of a strong, determined young lady and a call for social justice and understanding." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"Arnold (The Year I Flew Away) depicts even the narrative's most painful moments with compassionate prose, exploring Ayo's struggles to navigate her newfound responsibilities, her frustration with an unjust system, and her mourning of her quickly vanishing childhood with nuance and heart. A lively, complex cast and their unignorable plea for safety, respect, and equality rounds out this potent novel." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This novel should appeal to readers who enjoyed Thomas's The Hate U Give, Stone's Dear Martin, and Watson's Love Is a Revolution. References to famous Harlem figures such as James Baldwin, Countee Cullen, Arthur Mitchell, and Zora Neale Hurston allow for deeper discussions of the history of Harlem as a place for Black intellectual thought and art." - Horn Book Magazine

From the first line to the last, this novel sings. It's a poetic and powerful anthem of justice. A love letter to Harlem and hope. I Rise is smart and funny and full of heart. - Kwame Alexander, New York Times best-selling author

The way Arnold poses the question of how much one must "pay for the crime of living while Black" will prompt both Black and non-Black readers to ask difficult questions of themselves and society at large. This is simultaneously an intimate story with rich character development and a call to action. A powerful novel about systemic racism that challenges readers. - Kirkus Reviews