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Rise Up and Write It: With Real Mail, Posters, and More!
Rise Up and Write It combines a celebration of civic engagement with the hands-on fun of real pull-out examples of activism tools and is sure to encourage young readers to want to get up and get involved.
The book comes complete with a pull-out letter to the mayor, a ready-to-sign petition, a community meeting poster, a protest sign—and more!
When Farah Patel realizes that the butterflies have disappeared from her neighborhood, she discovers that it’s likely because there aren’t enough flowers to attract them. She can’t help but think, “This isn’t right.”
Luckily enough, Grove Hills is looking for ideas on what to do with the empty lot next door. And Farah has the perfect one—make it into a community garden to bring back a little green to their block! But when Farah finds out that she isn’t the only one with a plan for the future of Grove Hills, she’ll have to turn to her community for help.
Open the six envelopes inside to follow along with the story Farah as she rises up and brings her neighborhood together.
The book comes complete with a pull-out letter to the mayor, a ready-to-sign petition, a community meeting poster, a protest sign—and more!
When Farah Patel realizes that the butterflies have disappeared from her neighborhood, she discovers that it’s likely because there aren’t enough flowers to attract them. She can’t help but think, “This isn’t right.”
Luckily enough, Grove Hills is looking for ideas on what to do with the empty lot next door. And Farah has the perfect one—make it into a community garden to bring back a little green to their block! But when Farah finds out that she isn’t the only one with a plan for the future of Grove Hills, she’ll have to turn to her community for help.
Open the six envelopes inside to follow along with the story Farah as she rises up and brings her neighborhood together.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2021
1 person is currently reading
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 19, 2021
I first thought Rise Up and Write It was realistic fiction, and while it is a fictional story, I think it comes a lot closer to informational text or nonfiction.
The more times I read Rise Up and Write It, the older the grade I think it would actually work for. Theoretically, it may work for younger students, and I think the main character Farah is supposed to be younger, but I can't see it making sense in a classroom below third grade. Maybe second for advanced students.
I do love the emphasis that change can come from a community's youngest members, and also the way diverse people and communities are represented here, but I don't know overall if it would make the best classroom book.
Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books.
The more times I read Rise Up and Write It, the older the grade I think it would actually work for. Theoretically, it may work for younger students, and I think the main character Farah is supposed to be younger, but I can't see it making sense in a classroom below third grade. Maybe second for advanced students.
I do love the emphasis that change can come from a community's youngest members, and also the way diverse people and communities are represented here, but I don't know overall if it would make the best classroom book.
Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books.
February 2, 2022
This is the best picture book I've ever read that teaches kids how to effect change in their communities.
All the little overachieving, Lisa Simpson-type kids at my bookstore love this one.
All the little overachieving, Lisa Simpson-type kids at my bookstore love this one.
December 19, 2021
I first thought Rise Up and Write It was realistic fiction, and while it is a fictional story, I think it comes a lot closer to informational text or nonfiction.
The more times I read Rise Up and Write It, the older the grade I think it would actually work for. Theoretically, it may work for younger students, and I think the main character Farah is supposed to be younger, but I can't see it making sense in a classroom below third grade. Maybe second for advanced students.
One problem with this is that I'd be scared to have it in my classroom because of all the tangible materials. The mail, posters, signs, and everything else are beautifully designed, and I don't know at what age I would actually trust students to keep materials intact, clean, and all in the right places (or even in the book itself).
At the same time, I do love that Rise Up and Write It encourages all kids that they are not too young to make a change. While I don't necessarily expect kindergarteners to be writing to city hall about community problems, Rise Up and Write It serves as a good guide for all the different ways kids can make a change, and the fact that change often comes from the bottom up.
I also love the diverse representations in Rise Up and Write It. The writers are Southeast Asian women, and the art shows people from all backgrounds coming together to advocate for what is right for the town. This too shows that people from all walks of life can make a difference.
This book is still on my wish list, but I don't love it as much as I did when I first found it.
The more times I read Rise Up and Write It, the older the grade I think it would actually work for. Theoretically, it may work for younger students, and I think the main character Farah is supposed to be younger, but I can't see it making sense in a classroom below third grade. Maybe second for advanced students.
One problem with this is that I'd be scared to have it in my classroom because of all the tangible materials. The mail, posters, signs, and everything else are beautifully designed, and I don't know at what age I would actually trust students to keep materials intact, clean, and all in the right places (or even in the book itself).
At the same time, I do love that Rise Up and Write It encourages all kids that they are not too young to make a change. While I don't necessarily expect kindergarteners to be writing to city hall about community problems, Rise Up and Write It serves as a good guide for all the different ways kids can make a change, and the fact that change often comes from the bottom up.
I also love the diverse representations in Rise Up and Write It. The writers are Southeast Asian women, and the art shows people from all backgrounds coming together to advocate for what is right for the town. This too shows that people from all walks of life can make a difference.
This book is still on my wish list, but I don't love it as much as I did when I first found it.
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January 17, 2021Farah wants to bring the butterflies back to her neighborhood. After some research, she learns that butterflies need flowers--and her neighborhood has lots of great people, and many great places to find food--but few flowers. Farah and her friends are determined to convince the city to turn the local lot into a community garden--and they work as a team writing letters, creating a petition, holding a community meeting, and more along the way.
I love this book, though, from a librarian perspective, it irritates me to no end. This is an excellent story and would be my go-to book for young activists. It has great examples of how a kid and a community can make change and physical pieces that show those steps--a sample letter, a sample petition, a flyer advertising a community meeting, a sign to hold at a protest. But the way these physical pieces are included--as lose items inside of "pocket" envelopes inside the book--makes this nearly impossible to circulate. Could this be re-printed with a library edition where those pieces are illustrations instead of lose parts?
I'm going to try to make it work for a program anyway, but it is frustrating that I can't recommend it to patrons since they can't check it out.
I love this book, though, from a librarian perspective, it irritates me to no end. This is an excellent story and would be my go-to book for young activists. It has great examples of how a kid and a community can make change and physical pieces that show those steps--a sample letter, a sample petition, a flyer advertising a community meeting, a sign to hold at a protest. But the way these physical pieces are included--as lose items inside of "pocket" envelopes inside the book--makes this nearly impossible to circulate. Could this be re-printed with a library edition where those pieces are illustrations instead of lose parts?
I'm going to try to make it work for a program anyway, but it is frustrating that I can't recommend it to patrons since they can't check it out.
September 3, 2022
A perfect starter kit for young activists! Provides a framework for engaging in civic disagreement for children of all ages.
November 30, 2022
In this informational picture book, Farah notices all the butterflies have gone away, so she aspires to her make her community a better place by advocating for a community garden in a plot of unused land. When the mayor decides to turn the land into a parking lot, Farah has her friends scavenge around the community to sign a petition. At the end, they gain enough signatures and the land gets renovated into a public community garden!
The narrator provided several facts in this story to help tie in the story. Some examples include facts about butterflies -- they need nectar to live; a garden provides many resources -- such as flowers, fruit, and vegetables; and also information on starting clubs at a young age if they are so passionate to do so.
The design of this picture book is unlike others that I have seen; every couple of pages includes an "envelope" as the page, which holds a physical poster/note. I love this aspect and feel it would be fun for young readers to reach into the envelope and fish out what is in it! The illustrations themselves are also very colorful and eye catching, and play a crucial role in building the storyline. Specifically, on the page where Farah sees the land for sale sign, the narrator explains that she sees this sign -- but the illustration is a vital image as it shows exactly what is being looked for.
This book would be most suitable for 2nd-3rd graders. There are some larger vocabulary words, but the theme of the story would be great for younger kids. Although this story is not directly informational, it is an inspiring story for students who are passionate about subjects, and may also benefit students in learning about science or nature.
The narrator provided several facts in this story to help tie in the story. Some examples include facts about butterflies -- they need nectar to live; a garden provides many resources -- such as flowers, fruit, and vegetables; and also information on starting clubs at a young age if they are so passionate to do so.
The design of this picture book is unlike others that I have seen; every couple of pages includes an "envelope" as the page, which holds a physical poster/note. I love this aspect and feel it would be fun for young readers to reach into the envelope and fish out what is in it! The illustrations themselves are also very colorful and eye catching, and play a crucial role in building the storyline. Specifically, on the page where Farah sees the land for sale sign, the narrator explains that she sees this sign -- but the illustration is a vital image as it shows exactly what is being looked for.
This book would be most suitable for 2nd-3rd graders. There are some larger vocabulary words, but the theme of the story would be great for younger kids. Although this story is not directly informational, it is an inspiring story for students who are passionate about subjects, and may also benefit students in learning about science or nature.
March 4, 2022
I only have one word for this book and it is: WOW.
WOW, what a brilliant book! Not only is this book so inspiring for readers old and young, it is impeccably designed from start to finish. The interactive elements in this book are so much fun and I can imagine how excited readers will be to open up each letter to find different things inside from posters to stickers and mail!
Conveying community activism in a picture book is no small feat, but Nandini Ahuja's text coupled with Anoosha Syed's beautiful illustrations, makes reading through this book a breeze. A whole afternoon of activities can be spent working through this book and discussing the steps Farah took to fight for her neighborhood. This book wonderfully distills down the process of organizing and making a change and lets readers know that anyone can do it, no matter how young.
Each page is wonderfully illustrated, with Anoosha Syed proving once again that she can illustrate anything! Different illustrations and colors sets apart from envelope from the next, guaranteeing that kids will be excited to see what the next one holds. There are even interactive elements in the book, letting readers write on the letters themselves which is sure to be a hit.
What a brilliant book with so much thought and care put into it, I would highly recommend to all readers old and young.
WOW, what a brilliant book! Not only is this book so inspiring for readers old and young, it is impeccably designed from start to finish. The interactive elements in this book are so much fun and I can imagine how excited readers will be to open up each letter to find different things inside from posters to stickers and mail!
Conveying community activism in a picture book is no small feat, but Nandini Ahuja's text coupled with Anoosha Syed's beautiful illustrations, makes reading through this book a breeze. A whole afternoon of activities can be spent working through this book and discussing the steps Farah took to fight for her neighborhood. This book wonderfully distills down the process of organizing and making a change and lets readers know that anyone can do it, no matter how young.
Each page is wonderfully illustrated, with Anoosha Syed proving once again that she can illustrate anything! Different illustrations and colors sets apart from envelope from the next, guaranteeing that kids will be excited to see what the next one holds. There are even interactive elements in the book, letting readers write on the letters themselves which is sure to be a hit.
What a brilliant book with so much thought and care put into it, I would highly recommend to all readers old and young.
March 10, 2021
Farah is determined to prevent a parking lot from being built in her neighborhood and, through first writing to the mayor, then creating a petition, then hosting a community forum, eventually succeeds in transforming the space into a community garden instead. This book has a lot of awesome interactive elements which (speaking as a librarian) unfortunately might get lost as the book circulates, but this is such a great book showing how social justice/civic engagement can work step by step. Farah is depicted with brown skin and wavy brown hair. Her community members are depicted with a range of skin tones and styles of dress, though this book isn't great at showing people with a range of different body sizes and abilities.
Themes: Social Justice, Garden, You Can Do It!, Work Together
Age range: Kindergarten-Elementary
Themes: Social Justice, Garden, You Can Do It!, Work Together
Age range: Kindergarten-Elementary
March 5, 2022
Rise Up and Write It is a great example of a children's book that both imparts a powerful message and lets the child really feel like they're a part of something so special. For a story about empowering youth to be passionate about what they care about and that they have the power to make a real difference in their communities, the interactive aspect of the book creates this magical leap off of the page and into real life that further emphasizes that your dreams can become a reality. Each page is beautifully illustrated with vibrant colors and the most charming characters. A genius book altogether!
December 9, 2022
This book is excellent! It allows for students to see that their voice is important and gives them applicable ways to use it! I adore this book because it empowers students to speak up for themselves and others. It allows for students to rally together for change in their classrooms and communities. Everyone’s voice is important no matter how small. This is a book that I will definitely be using as an educator. It will tie in great with Social Studies and ELA. The letters and petitions throughout the book provide a wonderful template for students to learn from and they might just inspire them to write their own!
October 5, 2021
This book is a lot more than Rosemary Wells' Bunny Mail with a Masters in Social Engagement. Ahuja's pint-sized protagonist wants a community garden, gosh ram it. And she takes every step necessary, from communication with the mayor to attending a town meeting, making posters, signing petitions, etc. And the book gloriously includes the artifacts that pint-sized protagonist Farah created. Excellent how to for social engagement and social change for pint-sized readers! Farah is a fabulous role model.
June 20, 2023
As a mom of three who strives to raise activists, this marvelous book has become a household favorite! Perfect for preschoolers and elementary school age children because of the interactive pockets and pulls outs of mail, posters, letters! But also beneficial to teens and adults because picture books like these inspire all ages.
Recommended this book to my son’s 3rd grade teacher and it was used as an environmental theme tool in their persuasive writing project.
Recommended this book to my son’s 3rd grade teacher and it was used as an environmental theme tool in their persuasive writing project.
July 26, 2024
Love the interactive pieces & my students loved being able to pull out (and almost rip 😭) the letters, notes, stickers, etc. This book was able to fit a lot about campaign planning, needs assessments, and power mapping like omg 😫❤️🫶 And IK it’s a kids book but that Mayor would’ve tossed that letter out & built a parking lot fr
July 9, 2021
Kait wants her own copy of this one because she loved the letters, posters, etc. And the story was a great one as well - a diverse cast of characters, an environmental problem and step by step solutions.
March 4, 2022
Gorgeously illustrated, optimistic and motivational, this book will inspire any budding activist. The interactive components are such a fun bonus that kids will adore. The perfect introduction to activism, this book will fill you with hope.
March 26, 2021
A great guide for young activists that gives them the tools and tips to help organize in their community.
April 3, 2021
Such a gem of a picture book that has interactive elements
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July 8, 2021a beautiful exploration for grass-roots activism,
love the pull-out examples of letters, stickers & posters!
love the pull-out examples of letters, stickers & posters!
May 14, 2022
Love this, not enough books have little extras like this anymore! Only downside is that it won't last long at a library as pieces are sure to quickly get lost.
October 28, 2023
This is a fun picture book about helping the environment and being active in the community. I appreciate the giant envelopes with paper goodies in them. It was like an advent calendar.
January 12, 2023
What I liked: art was colorful, diverse, and fun. Awesome to see a book about activism and with all the cool pull-outs
What I disliked: kind of text-heavy for a children’s book, and small text too. Wish the book dimensions themselves were a bit bigger so the text would be easier for small kids to read
What I disliked: kind of text-heavy for a children’s book, and small text too. Wish the book dimensions themselves were a bit bigger so the text would be easier for small kids to read
February 8, 2023
10 stars for the illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews