Love Is a Revolution - by Renée Watson (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Renée Watson comes a love story about not only a romantic relationship but how a girl finds herself and falls in love with who she really is.

When Nala Robertson reluctantly agrees to attend an open mic night for her cousin-sister-friend Imani's birthday, she finds herself falling in instant love with Tye Brown, the MC. He's perfect, except . . . Tye is an activist and is spending the summer putting on events for the community when Nala would rather watch movies and try out the new seasonal flavors at the local creamery. In order to impress Tye, Nala tells a few tiny lies to have enough in common with him. As they spend more time together, sharing more of themselves, some of those lies get harder to keep up. As Nala falls deeper into keeping up her lies and into love, she'll learn all the ways love is hard, and how self-love is revolutionary.

In Love Is a Revolution, plus size girls are beautiful and get the attention of the hot guys, the popular girl clique is not shallow but has strong convictions and substance, and the ultimate love story is not only about romance but about how to show radical love to the people in your life, including to yourself.

Review Quotes

One of the most radical things a Black girl can do is know that she is both worthy of love and deserving of joy. In Love Is a Revolution, Watson takes us on Nala's journey to claim her right to decide who she wants to be in a world that so often tries to fit Black girls into metaphorical boxes. It is deftly crafted, big-hearted, beautiful, funny, honest, and inspiring. - Nicola Yoon, award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING and THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR

An absolutely stunning novel. Renée Watson does not miss. - Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Poet X

Reading a Renée Watson novel is like having an intimate conversation with a friend (or, in this case, a cousin-sister-friend). Love Is a Revolution is a powerful look at a young Black girl's journey to self-acceptance in all facets of her life, and a beautiful example of how communities become family. - Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of THE VOTING BOOTH

Renée Watson writes timeless fiction; Love Is A Revolution is more evidence of that indisputable fact. Nala's voice speaks to the heart's gentlest desires, and her journey is not just one readers will recognize, but one they've likely lived, or are currently living. Either way, Watson is a deft navigator who never loses her way. - Lamar Giles, author of NOT SO PURE AND SIMPLE

Teen and tween readers questioning their own identities and places in the world should connect with Watson's meaningful social and environmental themes. . . . [A] warm and hopeful story. - Shelf Awareness, starred review

Watson's deft ability to write characters that are relatable yet flawed offers readers a nuanced, non-saccharine love story. - Horn Book Magazine, starred review

A delightful, joyous coming-of-age tale that features dynamic characters and a sweet romance, and it doesn't shy away from weighty social and political topics, all the while spinning the magic of Black Girl Joy. - Booklist, starred review

This story will resonate with readers who have questioned who they are, tried to change themselves to fit in, or are seeking their own voices. A beautiful love story about finding one's way back to one's self. - SLJ, starred review

A love letter to community, family, and self-love. . . . Watson excels at creating well-meaning teen characters laboring under peer pressure and parental expectations. - Publishers Weekly

This title sends the necessary message that sometimes it's okay if the person you save is yourself. - Kirkus Reviews

Readers who have struggled with identifying who they are or who they're supposed to be, navigating evolving relationships or practicing "radical self-love" will find Love Is a Revolution to be an inspiring guide--not to mention a delightful read. - BookPage

The ever-gifted Watson skillfully portrays Nala's anxiety about being the odd one out in a social group. - BCCB

This stunning book is the story I've been waiting for my whole life; where girls rise up to claim their space with joy and power. I resolve to give a copy to every teenager I know! - Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of SPEAK and SHOUT on WATCH US RISE

An extraordinary story of two indomitable spirits, the power of friendship, and what leadership looks like in the hands of young people today, Watch Us Rise is the novel we all need right now. - Brendan Kiely, New York Times bestselling co-author of ALL AMERICAN BOYS and TRADITION on WATCH US RISE

Timely, thought-provoking, and powerful. Watch Us Rise is an immediate young adult classic. - Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of DUMPLIN' on WATCH US RISE

Watch Us Rise is a source of inspiration on every page and a remarkable story of the power of young people to make a difference. And it's a great read. - Caroline Kennedy, bestselling author and editor of SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY on WATCH US RISE

Read this today. Give it to the young person in your life. It is an instruction manual to freedom and love and voice. It is a triumphant example of how literary arts and poetry intersect in our everyday lives and fortify the marrow of our survival. - Mahogany L. Browne, author of BLACK GIRL MAGIC and WOKE BABY on WATCH US RISE

A highly needed work for the #MeToo movement. . . . Watson and Hagan do not disappoint in this powerful story of two girls who take a stand against injustice while learning how to navigate a world that seeks to silence them. - SLJ, starred review, on WATCH US RISE

A manifesto for budding feminists . . . An inspiring look at two strong-willed teens growing into even stronger young women ready to use their voices and take on the world - Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on WATCH US RISE

This intersectional, layered novel . . . covers a wide breadth of topics--institutionalized racism, how we undermine young women, feminism in the modern age--with a clear message: Girls are going to come out on top. - Marie Claire on WATCH US RISE

Timely and timeless, Piecing Me Together is a book about the ways young people deal with the hardships and heartbreak of everyday living while remaining whole and true to themselves. - Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning author of BROWN GIRL DREAMING on PIECING ME TOGETHER

Watson, with rhythm and style, somehow gets at the toxicity of sympathy, the unquenchable thirst of fear, and the life-changing power of voice and opportunity, all wrapped up in Jade - Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling and award-winning coauthor of ALL AMERICAN BOYS on PIECING ME TOGETHER

An important and deeply moving novel. Highly recommended. - John Green, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS on PIECING ME TOGETHER

An honest look at how girls stitch together their talents to find their voice and power. Renee Watson is a top-rate storyteller about what impacts young women today. - Meg Medina, award-winning author of BURN BABY BURN on PIECING ME TOGETHER

Teeming with compassion and insight, Watson's story trumpets the power of artistic expression to re-envision and change the world. - Publishers Weekly, starred review, on PIECING ME TOGETHER

A timely, nuanced, and unforgettable story about the power of art, community, and friendship. - Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on PIECING ME TOGETHER

This unique and thought-provoking title offers a nuanced meditation on race, privilege, and intersectionality. - SLJ, starred review, on PIECING ME TOGETHER

A thoughtful testament to the value of growth and of work, of speaking up and of listening, that will resonate with many readers engaged in 'discovering what we are really capable of.' - BCCB, starred review, on PIECING ME TOGETHER

About The Author

Renée Watson is a New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include Love is a Revolution, Ways to Make Sunshine, Some Places More Than Others, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, co-written with Ilyasah Shabazz, and Watch Us Rise, co-written with Ellen Hagan, as well as two acclaimed picture books: A Place Where Hurricanes Happen and Harlem's Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée grew up in Portland, Oregon, and splits her time between Portland and New York City.

www.reneewatson.net
@harlemportland (Instagram)
@reneewauthor (Twitter)