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I Rise: A YA Novel of Activism and Hope in Harlem's Fight Against Police Brutality
“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
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
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2022
14 people are currently reading
3257 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
August 8, 2022
My mother is a Maya Angelou poem. She’s all pride and all grace; sometimes, I swear she doesn’t actually walk, she glides. And God help you if you come into the room after her. No one remembers you were ever there.
One of the rare few books where I actually like the parent more than the main character? Ayo was great too, of course, but her mother stole the show.
I love the relationship the two of them have with each other, (best) friends, but Rosalie knows when to stop being the friend (for a little while) and to start being the parent.
The only thing I minded is the length, I think it would be a bit better if the ending scenes were extended for a couple more pages.
SPEAKING OF THE ENDING, it was good, yes, but I didn't like how the love story portion of it concluded. When you read it you'll know what I mean.
But maybe if there's a sequel in the future .
One of the rare few books where I actually like the parent more than the main character? Ayo was great too, of course, but her mother stole the show.
I love the relationship the two of them have with each other, (best) friends, but Rosalie knows when to stop being the friend (for a little while) and to start being the parent.
The only thing I minded is the length, I think it would be a bit better if the ending scenes were extended for a couple more pages.
SPEAKING OF THE ENDING, it was good, yes, but I didn't like how the love story portion of it concluded. When you read it you'll know what I mean.
But maybe if there's a sequel in the future .
August 7, 2022
How do you review a book that leaves you speechless yet empowered with the need to use your voice like never before? ‘I rise’ is a gripping, emotional and educative coming of age story following Ayo - a young, Black activist in Harlem, New York City, as she grapples with the realities of being a teenager as well as her mother being one of the most prolific activists in the world.
When will the white woman at CVS stop touching her hair, will she ever bring herself to say something?
Is this movement, the one her mother created, her birthright?
How will her mother feel if she knows the doubts that are starting to emerge? Can she truly ever be a normal teenager?
And, after a horrific tragedy occurs in the middle of a March - is it her shoulders who bear the responsibility of speaking out?
~
I sat and read this in a single sitting, I could not put it down. It is a story technically fictional but one all too real - it is powerful, it deals with themes such as police brutality, covert and overt racism and the struggles that Black people (in particular Black girls) face to this very day. The harsh reality of having to grow up to fast in a society that has never perceived nor treated you as a child. It is raw and educational - if you walk away from this seeing it as a good piece of ‘fiction’ I cannot help but feel you haven’t gained what you were meant to.
Each character is written with such depth and voice - they stop feeling like words on a page very quickly, by the end - Ayo and those who surround her feel like new friends; people who you endeavour to learn more about. The author is a marvel at balancing the marches and the activism that surrounds Ayo’s every day life with your standard coming-of-age topics (a love interest, her friendship group, a best friend whose acting differently) - you really get a grasp into how complex it must be for a child to balance all of the above.
~
Easily one of my favourite reads of the year thus far - it’s compelling, and it’s important.
Thank you so much to the team at Harper360 for gifting me an Advanced Copy (my first physical one!) in exchange for this unbiased review.
When will the white woman at CVS stop touching her hair, will she ever bring herself to say something?
Is this movement, the one her mother created, her birthright?
How will her mother feel if she knows the doubts that are starting to emerge? Can she truly ever be a normal teenager?
And, after a horrific tragedy occurs in the middle of a March - is it her shoulders who bear the responsibility of speaking out?
~
I sat and read this in a single sitting, I could not put it down. It is a story technically fictional but one all too real - it is powerful, it deals with themes such as police brutality, covert and overt racism and the struggles that Black people (in particular Black girls) face to this very day. The harsh reality of having to grow up to fast in a society that has never perceived nor treated you as a child. It is raw and educational - if you walk away from this seeing it as a good piece of ‘fiction’ I cannot help but feel you haven’t gained what you were meant to.
Each character is written with such depth and voice - they stop feeling like words on a page very quickly, by the end - Ayo and those who surround her feel like new friends; people who you endeavour to learn more about. The author is a marvel at balancing the marches and the activism that surrounds Ayo’s every day life with your standard coming-of-age topics (a love interest, her friendship group, a best friend whose acting differently) - you really get a grasp into how complex it must be for a child to balance all of the above.
~
Easily one of my favourite reads of the year thus far - it’s compelling, and it’s important.
Thank you so much to the team at Harper360 for gifting me an Advanced Copy (my first physical one!) in exchange for this unbiased review.
January 20, 2024
A North Star YA Award nominee for 23|24.
Ago is struggling with her place within her mother’s Civil Rights organization, See Us. She just wants to be a normal teenager, who worries about school, and boys and television shows, not the institutionalized racism and the struggle of the Black population.
Her entire life is turned upside down when something happens to her mom and she must reckon with her own place and calling. This was a really great read. I really enjoyed it.
Ago is struggling with her place within her mother’s Civil Rights organization, See Us. She just wants to be a normal teenager, who worries about school, and boys and television shows, not the institutionalized racism and the struggle of the Black population.
Her entire life is turned upside down when something happens to her mom and she must reckon with her own place and calling. This was a really great read. I really enjoyed it.
April 25, 2022
Richie’s Picks: I RISE by Marie Arnold, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Versify, August 2022, 320p., ISBN: 978-0-358-44904-1
“Black rage is founded on two-thirds a person
Rapings and beatings and suffering that worsens
Black human packages tied up with strings
Black rage can come from all these kinds of things”
– Lauryn Hill (2014)
“Once riding in old Baltimore,
Heart-filled, head-filled with glee,
I saw a Baltimorean
Keep looking straight at me.
Now I was eight and very small,
And he was no whit bigger,
And so I smiled, but he poked out
His tongue, and called me, “Nigger.”
I saw the whole of Baltimore
From May until December;
Of all the things that happened there
That’s all that I remember.”
– Countee Cullen (1925)
“‘Your last name is Bosia?’ he asks.
I nod slightly as dread seeps back into my body.
‘Any relation to Rosalie Bosia? The founder of See Us?’
‘Yeah, she’s my mom,’ I mutter.
The thing about being Rosalie’s daughter is that people either love or hate her, and they all want me to know about it. I guess that’s what happens when your mom is the founder of the biggest civil rights movement to hit Harlem in decades. See Us is similar to Black Lives Matter. It takes aim at police brutality, racial profiling, and an unjust prison system. But See Us specifically targets communities in Harlem.
My mom started it the year I was born, before the Black Lives Matter movement. The movement took off faster than anyone expected. And before she knew it, her five-person operation became a citywide movement with thousands of members. They organize marches, boycotts, and basically an all-points assault on the establishment.
‘I saw her on Good Morning America a few weeks ago. I love her! She’s so well spoken. She’s grown into quite a divisive figure, and to that I say, “Right on!” We need more sassy women like her.’
Mr. Gunderson thinks he just gave my mom a compliment. But I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t take it that way. I can practically hear her now: ‘Does my skin color lead you to believe I would be anything other than well spoken? And did you just call me sassy?’
Just before he moves on to the next name, he mumbles to himself, ‘Rosalie Bosia’s daughter…Gosh, what must that be like?’
What’s it like?
I RISE is the powerful story of Rosalie Bosia’s fourteen year-old daughter Ayomide. Ayo’s upbringing has included making posters to free unjustly convicted prisoners, studying Black history flashcards, accompanying her mother on marches and house-to-house voter registration drives, and studying written and visual works of the Harlem Renaissance. She also leads the school’s See Us-related club. Ayo is an enlightened young Black woman. But now she fears that she’s missing out on all the normal stuff that her teen peers are getting to do. (She’s yet to receive her first real kiss.) Therefore, Ayo has decided that she wants out of her mom’s army.
Then her mother gets shot by a racist cop. And then the cop isn’t indicted. What is Ayo going to do now?
I RISE seriously kicks butt. There’s a wealth of Black history and true-to-life racism folded into this compelling and timely, contemporary coming-of-age tale. It’s one of the most moving books I’ve read in a while. You can bet your bottom dollar it’ll soon be banned in the more backward corners of the USA. Just like the math books and Judy Blume and that Ta-Nehisi Coates book that Ayo actually refers to in the story. Fortunately, four months prior to its August publication date, there’s already serious buzz about I RISE. With good reason.
No matter what Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, and Tucker Carlson try to tell you, there are still two Americas, Black and white. One of many highlights of this book involves Ayo and a couple of her fellow Black students engaging in a tense classroom discussion that dovetails perfectly with the recent news out of those states that are working to outlaw books, lessons, and discussions about racism. Other threads illuminate how dealers of cigarettes and opiates have historically targeted the Black community.
Sure, it’s easier to turn a blind eye to all these problems. But if you really believe in treating others as you would want to be treated; if you have the guts to walk in another’s shoes; if you believe in the dream of one day having a nation where everyone’s children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character; this book is a must read and a must share.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Black rage is founded on two-thirds a person
Rapings and beatings and suffering that worsens
Black human packages tied up with strings
Black rage can come from all these kinds of things”
– Lauryn Hill (2014)
“Once riding in old Baltimore,
Heart-filled, head-filled with glee,
I saw a Baltimorean
Keep looking straight at me.
Now I was eight and very small,
And he was no whit bigger,
And so I smiled, but he poked out
His tongue, and called me, “Nigger.”
I saw the whole of Baltimore
From May until December;
Of all the things that happened there
That’s all that I remember.”
– Countee Cullen (1925)
“‘Your last name is Bosia?’ he asks.
I nod slightly as dread seeps back into my body.
‘Any relation to Rosalie Bosia? The founder of See Us?’
‘Yeah, she’s my mom,’ I mutter.
The thing about being Rosalie’s daughter is that people either love or hate her, and they all want me to know about it. I guess that’s what happens when your mom is the founder of the biggest civil rights movement to hit Harlem in decades. See Us is similar to Black Lives Matter. It takes aim at police brutality, racial profiling, and an unjust prison system. But See Us specifically targets communities in Harlem.
My mom started it the year I was born, before the Black Lives Matter movement. The movement took off faster than anyone expected. And before she knew it, her five-person operation became a citywide movement with thousands of members. They organize marches, boycotts, and basically an all-points assault on the establishment.
‘I saw her on Good Morning America a few weeks ago. I love her! She’s so well spoken. She’s grown into quite a divisive figure, and to that I say, “Right on!” We need more sassy women like her.’
Mr. Gunderson thinks he just gave my mom a compliment. But I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t take it that way. I can practically hear her now: ‘Does my skin color lead you to believe I would be anything other than well spoken? And did you just call me sassy?’
Just before he moves on to the next name, he mumbles to himself, ‘Rosalie Bosia’s daughter…Gosh, what must that be like?’
What’s it like?
I RISE is the powerful story of Rosalie Bosia’s fourteen year-old daughter Ayomide. Ayo’s upbringing has included making posters to free unjustly convicted prisoners, studying Black history flashcards, accompanying her mother on marches and house-to-house voter registration drives, and studying written and visual works of the Harlem Renaissance. She also leads the school’s See Us-related club. Ayo is an enlightened young Black woman. But now she fears that she’s missing out on all the normal stuff that her teen peers are getting to do. (She’s yet to receive her first real kiss.) Therefore, Ayo has decided that she wants out of her mom’s army.
Then her mother gets shot by a racist cop. And then the cop isn’t indicted. What is Ayo going to do now?
I RISE seriously kicks butt. There’s a wealth of Black history and true-to-life racism folded into this compelling and timely, contemporary coming-of-age tale. It’s one of the most moving books I’ve read in a while. You can bet your bottom dollar it’ll soon be banned in the more backward corners of the USA. Just like the math books and Judy Blume and that Ta-Nehisi Coates book that Ayo actually refers to in the story. Fortunately, four months prior to its August publication date, there’s already serious buzz about I RISE. With good reason.
No matter what Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, and Tucker Carlson try to tell you, there are still two Americas, Black and white. One of many highlights of this book involves Ayo and a couple of her fellow Black students engaging in a tense classroom discussion that dovetails perfectly with the recent news out of those states that are working to outlaw books, lessons, and discussions about racism. Other threads illuminate how dealers of cigarettes and opiates have historically targeted the Black community.
Sure, it’s easier to turn a blind eye to all these problems. But if you really believe in treating others as you would want to be treated; if you have the guts to walk in another’s shoes; if you believe in the dream of one day having a nation where everyone’s children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character; this book is a must read and a must share.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
November 10, 2021
What else can I see, but it broke my heart and made it soar at the same time. There is sadness and justified anger, but also a hope for change. A hope that we could all stand together to fight the oppression that is fractured in our communities.
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for my ARC for an honest review.
I just reviewed I Rise by Marie Arnold. #IRise #NetGalley
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for my ARC for an honest review.
I just reviewed I Rise by Marie Arnold. #IRise #NetGalley
January 3, 2022
4.5 stars
Thank you to Marie Arnold, Clarion Books and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Since reading the incredible The Hate You Give last year, I have found it hard to find any books about civil rights and police brutality that can live up to that incredible work. I finally found a book that is of the same quality as T.H.U.G.: I Rise.
14 year old Ayo is the daughter of the infamous Rosalie Bosia, the founder of See Us, a civil rights activist group based in Harlem, New York. Rosalie challenges police brutality and institutional racism across the borough and coordinates on a large scale.
"My mother is a force unlike any other. She's formidable, resilient and tenacious."
Her mother has been prepping her to take over as leader of See Us since she was a little girl, exposing her to the greats in African-American history and culture, but Ayo wants out. She longs to live a 'normal' life where she can have a boyfriend and chill out with her friends instead of leading the youth section of the movement. But during a protest about yet another killing of a black man by the police, Ayo's mother is shot and Ayo must uncover what she really wants from life.
What I Loved
1. The biggest thing that I loved about this book was the diversity of beliefs about racism that was portrayed. In many YA books about race, the black community is often written like there is one unified perspective on all topics from all people. Obviously, this is not correct, and Arnold did an excellent job of portraying these and having discussions between the differing viewpoints. Arnold also accurately detailed the many different viewpoints within the white community and explaining why some of these viewpoints are ill-informed.
2. Arnold does not just touch on police brutality here. She covers microaggressions, intersectionality and race in the education system.
3. The cultural references! Music, poetry, novels, history is all woven beautifully into the story. It provides the reader with many other things to read and listen to and expand their horizons even more. Of course, the title comes from the famous poem by Maya Angelou.
4. This book would make a wonderful book club read in schools. It is such a springboard for discussing many topics, such as whether or not you should have a choice in actively opposing injustice and inequality, how can we most effectively combat racism and should parents be allowed to force their children to do something they do not want to?
5. The storyline is realistic. Not everything goes how you want it to and that's OK.
6. LGBTQ+ representation.
What I Didn't Like
1. The epilogue let the book down a little bit if I'm honest. Ayo should have shown that you don't have to pick one thing in your life, as that is what she was hoping for throughout the whole book and then at the end
2. The nicknames she came up with for people and groups. It was a bit too much and felt forced at times.
This is one to read this year!
Out 2nd August 2022
Thank you to Marie Arnold, Clarion Books and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Since reading the incredible The Hate You Give last year, I have found it hard to find any books about civil rights and police brutality that can live up to that incredible work. I finally found a book that is of the same quality as T.H.U.G.: I Rise.
14 year old Ayo is the daughter of the infamous Rosalie Bosia, the founder of See Us, a civil rights activist group based in Harlem, New York. Rosalie challenges police brutality and institutional racism across the borough and coordinates on a large scale.
"My mother is a force unlike any other. She's formidable, resilient and tenacious."
Her mother has been prepping her to take over as leader of See Us since she was a little girl, exposing her to the greats in African-American history and culture, but Ayo wants out. She longs to live a 'normal' life where she can have a boyfriend and chill out with her friends instead of leading the youth section of the movement. But during a protest about yet another killing of a black man by the police, Ayo's mother is shot and Ayo must uncover what she really wants from life.
What I Loved
1. The biggest thing that I loved about this book was the diversity of beliefs about racism that was portrayed. In many YA books about race, the black community is often written like there is one unified perspective on all topics from all people. Obviously, this is not correct, and Arnold did an excellent job of portraying these and having discussions between the differing viewpoints. Arnold also accurately detailed the many different viewpoints within the white community and explaining why some of these viewpoints are ill-informed.
2. Arnold does not just touch on police brutality here. She covers microaggressions, intersectionality and race in the education system.
3. The cultural references! Music, poetry, novels, history is all woven beautifully into the story. It provides the reader with many other things to read and listen to and expand their horizons even more. Of course, the title comes from the famous poem by Maya Angelou.
4. This book would make a wonderful book club read in schools. It is such a springboard for discussing many topics, such as whether or not you should have a choice in actively opposing injustice and inequality, how can we most effectively combat racism and should parents be allowed to force their children to do something they do not want to?
5. The storyline is realistic. Not everything goes how you want it to and that's OK.
6. LGBTQ+ representation.
What I Didn't Like
1. The epilogue let the book down a little bit if I'm honest. Ayo should have shown that you don't have to pick one thing in your life, as that is what she was hoping for throughout the whole book and then at the end
2. The nicknames she came up with for people and groups. It was a bit too much and felt forced at times.
This is one to read this year!
Out 2nd August 2022
February 11, 2024
4.5
Loved it. Wish it ended slightly differently but minor detail. Overall it was great and I really love the mother-daughter relationship
Loved it. Wish it ended slightly differently but minor detail. Overall it was great and I really love the mother-daughter relationship
May 11, 2025
“Monsters are not new. They will always be here, and they will always come for you. How you handle them now is how you will handle them for the rest of your life.”
“There’s nothing that shines a light in your world like knowing someone loves you. And that mama of yours, she loves you. You hold on to that; that’s your flashlight. Hold on real tight”
“There’s nothing that shines a light in your world like knowing someone loves you. And that mama of yours, she loves you. You hold on to that; that’s your flashlight. Hold on real tight”
November 20, 2022
I Rise reminded me of The Hate You Give for how it dealt with inequalities and injustice and was an incredibly empowering novel. Ayo's mother is the founder of a civil rights organization, "See Us", and a force to be reckoned with! Ayo is struggling to find her place in high school and in See Us, thinking she just wants to have a "normal" childhood. I Rise is loaded with snippets to educate and empower readers. I look forward to adding this novel to our library collection and promoting it with students. (Approximately ages 13+)
4+ stars - The only things stopping a full 5 star rating was a part of the ending I found disappointing, but won't elaborate for fear of spoilers!
4+ stars - The only things stopping a full 5 star rating was a part of the ending I found disappointing, but won't elaborate for fear of spoilers!
November 2, 2022
"Black Girl Magic is heavy." - Marie Arnold
OMG!! Firstly, I just want to say that this book should be on the NYT bestsellers list because it is absolutely phenomenal! I am an educator, so I gained access through libro.fm educator program and it has been in the unread que for a few months. The cover is what caught my attention and I didn't read the synopsis, so imagine my surprise when I couldn't stop listening.
The book is about a young teen name Ayo who's mother is the founder of a non-profit entitled See Us and Ayo wants to be free from the organization, so she let's her mom know that she wants to be free from it even though her mom wants See Us to be her legacy. It's so much to unpack with the book dealing with social justice, teenage love, friendships, etc, but it all flows flawlessly.
This NTMA (new to me author) Marie Arnold deserves more recognition!! Loved this book! It's a must read and so powerful!
OMG!! Firstly, I just want to say that this book should be on the NYT bestsellers list because it is absolutely phenomenal! I am an educator, so I gained access through libro.fm educator program and it has been in the unread que for a few months. The cover is what caught my attention and I didn't read the synopsis, so imagine my surprise when I couldn't stop listening.
The book is about a young teen name Ayo who's mother is the founder of a non-profit entitled See Us and Ayo wants to be free from the organization, so she let's her mom know that she wants to be free from it even though her mom wants See Us to be her legacy. It's so much to unpack with the book dealing with social justice, teenage love, friendships, etc, but it all flows flawlessly.
This NTMA (new to me author) Marie Arnold deserves more recognition!! Loved this book! It's a must read and so powerful!
March 1, 2023
This should be taught in schools.
I Rise is a painful story to read as a white girl, because I know from the outside the struggle black and brown people go through. This book brings it right to your face, and rubs it around with characters you love, and you want to protect and save.
I think this quick read would be a good book to add to early high school curriculum- it’s current, relevant, and entertaining. It brings to light the injustices black people are facing, in a way that would hopefully reach that age group & really make them think about their words and actions.
I don’t want human children, but I loved this book deeply enough that my next dog will be named Ayomide.
A must read!
I Rise is a painful story to read as a white girl, because I know from the outside the struggle black and brown people go through. This book brings it right to your face, and rubs it around with characters you love, and you want to protect and save.
I think this quick read would be a good book to add to early high school curriculum- it’s current, relevant, and entertaining. It brings to light the injustices black people are facing, in a way that would hopefully reach that age group & really make them think about their words and actions.
I don’t want human children, but I loved this book deeply enough that my next dog will be named Ayomide.
A must read!
September 7, 2022
Ayo is the daughter of Rosalie Bosia, the founding member of See Us, a civil rights organization in Harlem. As Rosalie’s daughter, Ayo has always been a part of See Us, from running youth groups to advocating for justice. Now, however, she wants out and has no clue how to tell her mother. Ayo wants a social life, and a chance to be a teenager, but as a Black teen in America, is that possible? Ayo thinks so, but her mother doesn’t. Her disappointment frustrates Ayo, but that immediately disappears when she watches her mother get horribly injured at a protest on live TV. Now, Ayo just wants her heart back. Despite her recent frustrations, her mother is everything to her. Can she find the courage to go back to See Us and do what’s needed?
An epic story that studies the effects of inequality and systemic racism. Ayo, her mother, her friends. They are all so beautifully crafted. I think Kwame Alexander said it best: “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.” An unforgettable read that I can’t wait to share.
An epic story that studies the effects of inequality and systemic racism. Ayo, her mother, her friends. They are all so beautifully crafted. I think Kwame Alexander said it best: “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.” An unforgettable read that I can’t wait to share.
Read
September 16, 2022This is one of those rare occasions when it wouldn't sit right with me trying to interpret or sum up my feelings about a read with a star rating. Can't do it.
There are some reasons why I didn't vibe with this book, and other reasons why I understand the story all too well.
I can say, aside from the scenes that increased my appreciation for Ayo's tight circle of friends, my favorite scene is one where Rosalie protects a child (teenager) under her roof without hesitation or question—like a lioness who doesn't even have to roar in that moment to get her point across.
There are some reasons why I didn't vibe with this book, and other reasons why I understand the story all too well.
I can say, aside from the scenes that increased my appreciation for Ayo's tight circle of friends, my favorite scene is one where Rosalie protects a child (teenager) under her roof without hesitation or question—like a lioness who doesn't even have to roar in that moment to get her point across.
September 11, 2022
A must-read for every young social activist! Ayo just wants to be a typical teen. Growing up in a house with her mother, the leader of See Us, Ayo doesn't think she wants to follow her mother's path until her mother is shot. This is a beautifully told story about a mother-daughter relationship. It tackles racism and police shootings and so much more. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but once I did, I could not put this down.
September 2, 2022
I enjoyed this one. The characters were dynamic and had all the complexities of real teens. The social justice narrative was well done and presented the work in a straightforward and honest way.
March 12, 2023
A really awesome book about social justice for Black America. Tons of topics to discuss and tons of issues are brought up in a book for young readers. Shout out to AYO!
November 22, 2025
4,6 ✨️
September 17, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review!
I'll start with my highest praise: I enjoyed this book more than The Hate U Give.
I Rise is about a teenager—Ayo—dealing with racism and social justice in Harlem. She just wants to relax and have a normal teenage life though. Her mom's a huge activist and pushes that life onto her. But her mom's activism comes at a cost, and Ayo's world tumbles fast. Soon, she's putting pieces of a scavenger hunt that her mom made for her together—without her mom.
I loved the dialogue throughout. I could tell this story has been thought over and over because every little string is connected in the end. Any question the readers may think of from side characters to Ayo herself is answered. And the side characters aren't left to the side; they get their own flushed out stories. Ayo's story specifically is heartbreaking but so powerful with how everything ties together.
I did eventually guess what was in the box at the end before Ayo, but I've also read many books and have dived into many stories before. So, not everything is a mystery anymore I guess.
This book also tackles American racism in a powerful way. It showcases the many sides and appearances racism takes. It also talks a lot about Black culture, something that I honestly do not know enough of and something that is continuously being taken away from Americans. (E.g. Martin Luther King Jr (and more) is dropped from Texas school curriculum. Which means they're about to try to take him out of history books.) I know for me, I hadn't heard of the Blank anthem before, but as soon as the chapter that mentioned it was over, I looked it up. It's a beautiful song.
I've already recommended this book to others. It's a must read.
------------- A challenge for you-------------
I honestly picked this book because I have my own mission statement that I've been doing for a few years now, which is to read books with characters who are not like me. Different ethnicities, cultures, religions, sexualities, etc. I did this because I realized that I wasn't taught a lot of diversity where I'm from.
In southern American schools, racism ended and is mostly gone now. My ancestors' massacre was boiled down to people who were not named, a pretty cool Thanksgiving that happens every year now, and this really long trail that people died on. My Italian side is only discussed when it was cool: Ancient Rome. Basically every single required book in high school was from a straight, White cis man.
There's a lot we don't know about the world. So, I challenge you to read something that's not from your background. Perhaps if we all took more time to understand each other, there'd be a bit less hate in the world because we'd all realize how human everyone is.
I'll start with my highest praise: I enjoyed this book more than The Hate U Give.
I Rise is about a teenager—Ayo—dealing with racism and social justice in Harlem. She just wants to relax and have a normal teenage life though. Her mom's a huge activist and pushes that life onto her. But her mom's activism comes at a cost, and Ayo's world tumbles fast. Soon, she's putting pieces of a scavenger hunt that her mom made for her together—without her mom.
I loved the dialogue throughout. I could tell this story has been thought over and over because every little string is connected in the end. Any question the readers may think of from side characters to Ayo herself is answered. And the side characters aren't left to the side; they get their own flushed out stories. Ayo's story specifically is heartbreaking but so powerful with how everything ties together.
I did eventually guess what was in the box at the end before Ayo, but I've also read many books and have dived into many stories before. So, not everything is a mystery anymore I guess.
This book also tackles American racism in a powerful way. It showcases the many sides and appearances racism takes. It also talks a lot about Black culture, something that I honestly do not know enough of and something that is continuously being taken away from Americans. (E.g. Martin Luther King Jr (and more) is dropped from Texas school curriculum. Which means they're about to try to take him out of history books.) I know for me, I hadn't heard of the Blank anthem before, but as soon as the chapter that mentioned it was over, I looked it up. It's a beautiful song.
I've already recommended this book to others. It's a must read.
------------- A challenge for you-------------
I honestly picked this book because I have my own mission statement that I've been doing for a few years now, which is to read books with characters who are not like me. Different ethnicities, cultures, religions, sexualities, etc. I did this because I realized that I wasn't taught a lot of diversity where I'm from.
In southern American schools, racism ended and is mostly gone now. My ancestors' massacre was boiled down to people who were not named, a pretty cool Thanksgiving that happens every year now, and this really long trail that people died on. My Italian side is only discussed when it was cool: Ancient Rome. Basically every single required book in high school was from a straight, White cis man.
There's a lot we don't know about the world. So, I challenge you to read something that's not from your background. Perhaps if we all took more time to understand each other, there'd be a bit less hate in the world because we'd all realize how human everyone is.
October 30, 2022
Thankyou to netgalley.com for an ARC of this book. An absolute 5 star read.
Ayo and her mom are two characters I will not soon forget. They exude confidence and determination in the wake of horrific racism and police brutality. Ayo's wavering about taking on her mom's cause was so realistic, as so many teens today do not see eye to eye with their parents, but Rosalie takes this to heart, and so the mother-daughter struggle begins.
Although certainly one of the main driving forces of the book, Arnold takes the time to delve into why this struggle is so real for Ayo, and for her mother. There is nothing superficial or cheesy about their relationship with each other or their cause.
As moving as The Hate U Give and as important as Maya Angelou's Still I Rise, this book should be given to all ya readers.
Ayo and her mom are two characters I will not soon forget. They exude confidence and determination in the wake of horrific racism and police brutality. Ayo's wavering about taking on her mom's cause was so realistic, as so many teens today do not see eye to eye with their parents, but Rosalie takes this to heart, and so the mother-daughter struggle begins.
Although certainly one of the main driving forces of the book, Arnold takes the time to delve into why this struggle is so real for Ayo, and for her mother. There is nothing superficial or cheesy about their relationship with each other or their cause.
As moving as The Hate U Give and as important as Maya Angelou's Still I Rise, this book should be given to all ya readers.
October 16, 2022
I absolutely adored this book and it gave me a lot to think about.
We follow Ayo, the daughter of a social activist, who wants out of the activist life. She wants to be a normal teenager and get her first boyfriend, experience her first kiss, go to parties with her friends. However, when her mother is shot by police at a protest, Ayo has to decide whether she has left the activist life behind or whether she will take up her mother’s mantel.
It’s a story of strength, resilience and the horrors of racism and social injustice, that are prevalent in life today. It shows what life is like for a Black child in America and how they leave the house each day, not knowing if they will return to it, constantly having to be aware of what is going on around them, to keep themselves safe. It is heartbreaking but also powerful. It shows that change can happen and that hope is not gone.
It has taught me a lot and I can’t wait to see my students again in September and recommend that they read it.
We follow Ayo, the daughter of a social activist, who wants out of the activist life. She wants to be a normal teenager and get her first boyfriend, experience her first kiss, go to parties with her friends. However, when her mother is shot by police at a protest, Ayo has to decide whether she has left the activist life behind or whether she will take up her mother’s mantel.
It’s a story of strength, resilience and the horrors of racism and social injustice, that are prevalent in life today. It shows what life is like for a Black child in America and how they leave the house each day, not knowing if they will return to it, constantly having to be aware of what is going on around them, to keep themselves safe. It is heartbreaking but also powerful. It shows that change can happen and that hope is not gone.
It has taught me a lot and I can’t wait to see my students again in September and recommend that they read it.
June 24, 2024
Oh this book. Should be required reading. Not only does it sum up so eloquently the struggle we are facing in society today, the “us” v “them” mentality, and the terrible injustices that happen daily, but it also gives a beautiful depiction of the struggle that goes on between a mother and her daughter, of stepping up and owning a legacy you didn’t ask for and didn’t want at first because you couldn’t understand it until you do.
Caution to my friends: I normally dock stars because of language and sex, and while this had some teenage rated steamy moments (it is milder than most, thank goodness), and also has its share of cussing, the heart and message of this book is more important.
Some of my favorite words:
“She has a library card but says it’s not the same thing. She says some books become part of your soul, and what sense does it make to give back a piece of your soul?” Pg. 202
“There’s nothing that shines a light in your world like knowing someone loves you. And that mama of yours, she loves you. You hold on to that; that’s your flashlight.” Pg. 230
Caution to my friends: I normally dock stars because of language and sex, and while this had some teenage rated steamy moments (it is milder than most, thank goodness), and also has its share of cussing, the heart and message of this book is more important.
Some of my favorite words:
“She has a library card but says it’s not the same thing. She says some books become part of your soul, and what sense does it make to give back a piece of your soul?” Pg. 202
“There’s nothing that shines a light in your world like knowing someone loves you. And that mama of yours, she loves you. You hold on to that; that’s your flashlight.” Pg. 230
June 16, 2022
I tried to give this book a chance but it just does not work for me.
Reading the first few pages and the character of Ayo seems like someone who can be given everything and still will never be happy.
Being upset and just knowing that the white male teacher will not pronounce her name right. Had the races been reversed there would be accusations of racism. Instead, she downplays and berates the teacher.
First of all having your name mispronounced happens to so many people regardless of race.
And yet the white male teacher is dumb? Ironic that it’s not an Asian or Hispanic or Black teacher.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
Reading the first few pages and the character of Ayo seems like someone who can be given everything and still will never be happy.
Being upset and just knowing that the white male teacher will not pronounce her name right. Had the races been reversed there would be accusations of racism. Instead, she downplays and berates the teacher.
First of all having your name mispronounced happens to so many people regardless of race.
And yet the white male teacher is dumb? Ironic that it’s not an Asian or Hispanic or Black teacher.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
November 10, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Ayomide Bosia lives in Harlem, New York City, and just wants to do the things other fourteen year olds do-- hang out with friends, go to school, and occasionally chill in front of a television program. What's stopping her? Her social justice activist mother, Rosalie, who founded the group See Us years ago. Ayo's home is filled with art and music by Black artists, her mother has made sure she's well versed in Black history, and she knows all about a wide range of social justice issues because she spends so much time helping her mom organize marches, protests, and community engagement events. It's wearing, and Ayo just wants to be a teen and pursue her crush on the very cute Devonte. She tries to tell her mother that she wants to step back from See Us, but her mother is completely unsympathetic. Ayo also has questions about who her father is, and her mother has refused to address them. Ayo's second chance is to ask to step back iswhen she has her birthday; her mother plans a scavenger hunt, and if she figures it out, she's allowed to get any gift she would like. There's a lot going on as the school year starts. See Us has a march planned to protest police brutality, Ayo has to put up with new teachers who mispronouce her name and are impressed by her mother while also committing microaggressions, and Devonte asks her to get her mother's signature to absolve the football coach who cut off a player's dreadlocks, and whom See Us has been pursuing. Her mother, of course, says no, but Ayo is so irritated with her mother and pleased that Devonte is talking to her that she forges her mother's signature! Ayo's best friend Naija is also having problems-- after not being herself for weeks, she finally tells Ayo about her problems at home. Rosalie steps in and invites Naija to stay with them because Naija's mother refuses to change the situation. Ayo gets in big trouble for forging her mother's signature, but she is enjoying hanging out with Devonte. Of course, her mother's training sticks with her even when she goes to a high school party where there is drinking and drugs; she schools the group on the problems with Black boys dating white girls, and the fact that cigarette companies target the Black demographic. At school, she brings a lot of information to class discussions. When the See Us protest occurs, Ayo is hanging out with Devonte, although they do watch the television coverage. Things turn ugly, and Ayo's mother is shot by a white policeman and ends up in a coma. Ayo, of course, is devastated, and must rely on an uncle and on her community to just make it through each day. There are calls for Ayo to step up and address the public, especially when it looks like the policeman will not be punished. At the same time, Ayo has her birthday scavenger hunt, and with the help of her good friends, starts to work through the clues. Will she be able to reconcile her own life and past with the ramifications of being Black in the US? And how will she find a way forward when her mother is not there to help her?
Strengths: Ayo is a typical teen; she both loves and is irritated by her mother, and she's not entirely sure who SHE is yet. Is she a See Us heir apparent, or can she differentiate herself from her mother? How can she navigate what she wants to do, when her mother and community are directing traffic? This hits all the right notes with the sometimes problematic mother-daughter relationship. I especially love how well Ayo has internalized everything her mother has taught her! So many important topics are covered, and they are discussed in well reasoned ways; Mr. Gunderson is a white person who is interested in being an ally, but makes occasional missteps and is treated in a constructive way. The romance with Devonte might be the big draw for many of my readers, and while he starts out as a problematic character, it clearly becomes apparent that he is a well-raised in a similar manner to Ayo. The storyline with Naija is brief but important, and the scavenger hunt plays into the middle grade concern with personal identity. If nothing else, libraries should buy this as a historic document; we can only hope that society improves in the years after 2022. Ayo and her mother fear it won't, but still cling to the hope that it will so that they can continue their important work in social justice.
Weaknesses: This puts its toes just slightly over the YA line; Ayo is at a party where there is drinking, but she doesn't partake. She also tries to get Devonte to sleep with her, and even undresses in front of him, but he refuses to take advantage of her grief. There is absolutely nothing instructional, which is always my rule of thumb. The fact that Ayo and Devonte make good decisions and have a constructive conversation about their situation is something that even middle schoolers would benefit from, so I think it would be appropriate for them to read. The n-word is used, but in the context of why the word is problematic. Any issues that anyone might have with this book are all handled in an enlightening and not gratuitous way, and there is no cursing.
What I really think: I will purchase this for fans of Watson's Love is a Revolution, Buford's Kneel, and Cole's Black Was the Ink, and those who ask for Thomas' The Hate U Give or Stone's Dear Martin.
Ayomide Bosia lives in Harlem, New York City, and just wants to do the things other fourteen year olds do-- hang out with friends, go to school, and occasionally chill in front of a television program. What's stopping her? Her social justice activist mother, Rosalie, who founded the group See Us years ago. Ayo's home is filled with art and music by Black artists, her mother has made sure she's well versed in Black history, and she knows all about a wide range of social justice issues because she spends so much time helping her mom organize marches, protests, and community engagement events. It's wearing, and Ayo just wants to be a teen and pursue her crush on the very cute Devonte. She tries to tell her mother that she wants to step back from See Us, but her mother is completely unsympathetic. Ayo also has questions about who her father is, and her mother has refused to address them. Ayo's second chance is to ask to step back iswhen she has her birthday; her mother plans a scavenger hunt, and if she figures it out, she's allowed to get any gift she would like. There's a lot going on as the school year starts. See Us has a march planned to protest police brutality, Ayo has to put up with new teachers who mispronouce her name and are impressed by her mother while also committing microaggressions, and Devonte asks her to get her mother's signature to absolve the football coach who cut off a player's dreadlocks, and whom See Us has been pursuing. Her mother, of course, says no, but Ayo is so irritated with her mother and pleased that Devonte is talking to her that she forges her mother's signature! Ayo's best friend Naija is also having problems-- after not being herself for weeks, she finally tells Ayo about her problems at home. Rosalie steps in and invites Naija to stay with them because Naija's mother refuses to change the situation. Ayo gets in big trouble for forging her mother's signature, but she is enjoying hanging out with Devonte. Of course, her mother's training sticks with her even when she goes to a high school party where there is drinking and drugs; she schools the group on the problems with Black boys dating white girls, and the fact that cigarette companies target the Black demographic. At school, she brings a lot of information to class discussions. When the See Us protest occurs, Ayo is hanging out with Devonte, although they do watch the television coverage. Things turn ugly, and Ayo's mother is shot by a white policeman and ends up in a coma. Ayo, of course, is devastated, and must rely on an uncle and on her community to just make it through each day. There are calls for Ayo to step up and address the public, especially when it looks like the policeman will not be punished. At the same time, Ayo has her birthday scavenger hunt, and with the help of her good friends, starts to work through the clues. Will she be able to reconcile her own life and past with the ramifications of being Black in the US? And how will she find a way forward when her mother is not there to help her?
Strengths: Ayo is a typical teen; she both loves and is irritated by her mother, and she's not entirely sure who SHE is yet. Is she a See Us heir apparent, or can she differentiate herself from her mother? How can she navigate what she wants to do, when her mother and community are directing traffic? This hits all the right notes with the sometimes problematic mother-daughter relationship. I especially love how well Ayo has internalized everything her mother has taught her! So many important topics are covered, and they are discussed in well reasoned ways; Mr. Gunderson is a white person who is interested in being an ally, but makes occasional missteps and is treated in a constructive way. The romance with Devonte might be the big draw for many of my readers, and while he starts out as a problematic character, it clearly becomes apparent that he is a well-raised in a similar manner to Ayo. The storyline with Naija is brief but important, and the scavenger hunt plays into the middle grade concern with personal identity. If nothing else, libraries should buy this as a historic document; we can only hope that society improves in the years after 2022. Ayo and her mother fear it won't, but still cling to the hope that it will so that they can continue their important work in social justice.
Weaknesses: This puts its toes just slightly over the YA line; Ayo is at a party where there is drinking, but she doesn't partake. She also tries to get Devonte to sleep with her, and even undresses in front of him, but he refuses to take advantage of her grief. There is absolutely nothing instructional, which is always my rule of thumb. The fact that Ayo and Devonte make good decisions and have a constructive conversation about their situation is something that even middle schoolers would benefit from, so I think it would be appropriate for them to read. The n-word is used, but in the context of why the word is problematic. Any issues that anyone might have with this book are all handled in an enlightening and not gratuitous way, and there is no cursing.
What I really think: I will purchase this for fans of Watson's Love is a Revolution, Buford's Kneel, and Cole's Black Was the Ink, and those who ask for Thomas' The Hate U Give or Stone's Dear Martin.
March 9, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Versify Books for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of I Rise in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! That’s the thought I’m left with after reading this book. The blurb describes it as “A heartbreaking and powerful novel about racism and social justice as fourteen-year-old Ayo 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.” Just a little spoiler there!
Ayo’s mom has founded a civil rights group called “See Us”—and though Black Lives Matter isn’t mentioned by name, this book really puts a face on that movement. For me, one of the hardest parts about this book was remembering that Ayo was only fourteen years old. It was heartbreaking to observe Ayo and her Black friends try to describe to their white classmates--who insist that they are not racist and complain that Black people try to make them feel bad for their skin color—what their America is like compared to their teacher’s and their classmates. (But look for the humor—I particularly enjoyed Ayo’s Five classic tracks from the “Ballad of the White Folks” playlist.) By now, we’ve all heard about how Black parents give their kids, particularly their sons, “the talk”—about what to do if they’re stopped by police. This book goes beyond that, particularly in addressing family relationships, but also looking at how Black teens have to check themselves in many different situations. Even as Ayo tries to back away from See Us, she still needs to deal with the day-to-day struggle of being a Black teen in Harlem, regularly needing to interact with white people who just don’t get it.
I loved this book—not just for its very important messages, but for the people. The teens were an amazing group, so many dimensions, so supportive of their friends. The adults from the neighborhood were stunning as well, from the woman who loves Star Trek to the poker playing old ladies who care for Ayo when she needs it the most. This book is for Black and Brown kids who need to know someone gets it, but it also has a lot to teach anyone else who wants to learn.
Wow! That’s the thought I’m left with after reading this book. The blurb describes it as “A heartbreaking and powerful novel about racism and social justice as fourteen-year-old Ayo 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.” Just a little spoiler there!
Ayo’s mom has founded a civil rights group called “See Us”—and though Black Lives Matter isn’t mentioned by name, this book really puts a face on that movement. For me, one of the hardest parts about this book was remembering that Ayo was only fourteen years old. It was heartbreaking to observe Ayo and her Black friends try to describe to their white classmates--who insist that they are not racist and complain that Black people try to make them feel bad for their skin color—what their America is like compared to their teacher’s and their classmates. (But look for the humor—I particularly enjoyed Ayo’s Five classic tracks from the “Ballad of the White Folks” playlist.) By now, we’ve all heard about how Black parents give their kids, particularly their sons, “the talk”—about what to do if they’re stopped by police. This book goes beyond that, particularly in addressing family relationships, but also looking at how Black teens have to check themselves in many different situations. Even as Ayo tries to back away from See Us, she still needs to deal with the day-to-day struggle of being a Black teen in Harlem, regularly needing to interact with white people who just don’t get it.
I loved this book—not just for its very important messages, but for the people. The teens were an amazing group, so many dimensions, so supportive of their friends. The adults from the neighborhood were stunning as well, from the woman who loves Star Trek to the poker playing old ladies who care for Ayo when she needs it the most. This book is for Black and Brown kids who need to know someone gets it, but it also has a lot to teach anyone else who wants to learn.
November 12, 2023
I'm not 100% sure how this one ended up on my library hold list, but someone must have given me the rec and man do I owe them a huge thank you! I Rise by Marie Arnold was SOOOO good!!
This YA novel tells the story of an almost 15 year old girl, Ayo, who has grown up in the shadows of her very vocal advocate mother, Rosalie, who is the leader of a black-lives-esque movement targeted in Harlem. Ayo has helped her mom since practically birth and is ready for some real teenage angst to finally be hers to be angsty about. Ayo wants to date boys, get in trouble, have a social life, but her mom expects her to lead marches, run a youth group and most importantly, face all acts of racism, even the most trivial seeming microaggressions, head on. Even if they come from adults like her teachers, which unfortunately they often do. Ayo understands where her mom is coming from, and knows that each day as a Black person is scary and could prove lethal, even if you don't leave the house. Police brutality is a constant thread throughout the story, and even as Ayo tries to break away from the campaigns and protests, this fear of life or death at the hands of police never leaves the back of her mind - which should be a sobering fact for white readers, it certainly was for me.
I Rise tells an incredible story, with real and contemporary problems, with a YA point of view. Spoiler alert, Ayo does get some time to be a kid (though it comes with a cost, so she really doesn't) and so this one definitely brings in the YA passion and young love and friendship that YA readers long for and love. But the mature and important themes throughout are also a valuable addition to this book, making it a learning opportunity while entertaining at the same time.
This YA novel tells the story of an almost 15 year old girl, Ayo, who has grown up in the shadows of her very vocal advocate mother, Rosalie, who is the leader of a black-lives-esque movement targeted in Harlem. Ayo has helped her mom since practically birth and is ready for some real teenage angst to finally be hers to be angsty about. Ayo wants to date boys, get in trouble, have a social life, but her mom expects her to lead marches, run a youth group and most importantly, face all acts of racism, even the most trivial seeming microaggressions, head on. Even if they come from adults like her teachers, which unfortunately they often do. Ayo understands where her mom is coming from, and knows that each day as a Black person is scary and could prove lethal, even if you don't leave the house. Police brutality is a constant thread throughout the story, and even as Ayo tries to break away from the campaigns and protests, this fear of life or death at the hands of police never leaves the back of her mind - which should be a sobering fact for white readers, it certainly was for me.
I Rise tells an incredible story, with real and contemporary problems, with a YA point of view. Spoiler alert, Ayo does get some time to be a kid (though it comes with a cost, so she really doesn't) and so this one definitely brings in the YA passion and young love and friendship that YA readers long for and love. But the mature and important themes throughout are also a valuable addition to this book, making it a learning opportunity while entertaining at the same time.
September 4, 2022
I Rise was the first of Marie Arnold’s works that I’ve read, but having spent nearly a month reading I Rise (I didn’t want it to end so read as slow as physically possible😭), I’ve ended feeling that reading ‘The Year I Flew Away’ is a necessity, as if it’s anything to the standard of I Rise, I know I’ll love it.
Marie Arnold is an absolutely outstanding writer, and her descriptive writing capabilities go far beyond any summary I could give. This is especially brought out with the beautiful characterisation of the main cast of this story. Ayomide’s character arc was one of both great heartbreak and great empowerment, and Arnold’s writing had me rooting for her through the entire story. The thing that struck me with the characters of I Rise was how real they felt, to the point of me having to remind myself that these events and people were fictional at the end of every page.
The thing is, while these specific events were fictional, they were based on all too real events, and that reminder should strike a chord with all readers. At times, I Rise was a really tough read, purely because of the dark themes of the book, but this darkness was necessary, and just brought home the reality of the society we live in, and how much work we have to do to make this world a safe one for black people.
Overall, I Rise has definitely been one of my favourite reads of 2022, as a very powerful, yet at times, sweet novel, outlining the life of a young teenage girl, trying to balance a social life with the unending fight for justice. Ayomide is a sweet, intelligent, brave, funny, protagonist, with a wonderful group of Freud new and an absolute powerhouse of a mother, and I loved getting to read her story.
Thank you so much to Harper 360 for the ARC!
Marie Arnold is an absolutely outstanding writer, and her descriptive writing capabilities go far beyond any summary I could give. This is especially brought out with the beautiful characterisation of the main cast of this story. Ayomide’s character arc was one of both great heartbreak and great empowerment, and Arnold’s writing had me rooting for her through the entire story. The thing that struck me with the characters of I Rise was how real they felt, to the point of me having to remind myself that these events and people were fictional at the end of every page.
The thing is, while these specific events were fictional, they were based on all too real events, and that reminder should strike a chord with all readers. At times, I Rise was a really tough read, purely because of the dark themes of the book, but this darkness was necessary, and just brought home the reality of the society we live in, and how much work we have to do to make this world a safe one for black people.
Overall, I Rise has definitely been one of my favourite reads of 2022, as a very powerful, yet at times, sweet novel, outlining the life of a young teenage girl, trying to balance a social life with the unending fight for justice. Ayomide is a sweet, intelligent, brave, funny, protagonist, with a wonderful group of Freud new and an absolute powerhouse of a mother, and I loved getting to read her story.
Thank you so much to Harper 360 for the ARC!
July 26, 2022
I Rise is a powerful novel about racism and social justice. It’s the story of Ayomide, Better known as Ayo. She is a fourteen-year-old girl with a big decision. Her mother, Rosalie, is a prominent, outspoken activist who began a widespread campaign in New York City. 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’s tired of her total identity being that of Rosalie’s daughter. She is ready to be a normal teen, get her first real kiss, have a boyfriend.
Her plan to break away is complicated when her mother is shot and seriously injured by the police. Now Ayo must decide her role in her mother's activism. ‘See Us’ is looking to Ayo to step in as her mother hopefully recovers. .
The doctors decide to put her mom into a coma. During this period, a riot breaks out between protesters and police, and protestors want Ayo to become the face of See Us and fight for justice for her mother who can no longer fight for herself. Wow, what a a hard place to be put in for anyone, let alone a young teen. All this burden as she deals with her own grief and anger, Ayo must also discover if she has the strength to take over where her mother left off. As she tries to find answers, Ayo looks to the wisdom of her ancestors and her Harlem community for guidance.
I Rise is an impactful, timely and unforgettable novel.
Her plan to break away is complicated when her mother is shot and seriously injured by the police. Now Ayo must decide her role in her mother's activism. ‘See Us’ is looking to Ayo to step in as her mother hopefully recovers. .
The doctors decide to put her mom into a coma. During this period, a riot breaks out between protesters and police, and protestors want Ayo to become the face of See Us and fight for justice for her mother who can no longer fight for herself. Wow, what a a hard place to be put in for anyone, let alone a young teen. All this burden as she deals with her own grief and anger, Ayo must also discover if she has the strength to take over where her mother left off. As she tries to find answers, Ayo looks to the wisdom of her ancestors and her Harlem community for guidance.
I Rise is an impactful, timely and unforgettable novel.
August 23, 2022
A powerful celebration of Black girl magic and strong mother-daughter connection mixed with romance, justice, and puzzles. This one reminded me a lot of Colbert's The Revolution of Birdie Randolph as a readalike not necessarily the same in theme, topic, etc. And has a quiet power in the way Renée Watson writes.
Ayo comes of age and wants to step out of the shadow of her powerful mother who leads a group similar to Black Lives Matter for Harlem called See Us. And Ayo is gathering the courage to ask for some freedom to NOT be Rosalie Bosia's daughter in every context. And it sort of happens but not quite in all the expected ways when she gets a boyfriend, her mother is shot by a cop at a rally and hospitalized, and she finds herself by discovering more about her mother's past and who her father is.
Teen readers who love a character-centered book will love it. Her face is front and center on the cover. There are plenty of questions and conversations to be had whether it be about body autonomy and microaggressions to activism and community.
Ayo comes of age and wants to step out of the shadow of her powerful mother who leads a group similar to Black Lives Matter for Harlem called See Us. And Ayo is gathering the courage to ask for some freedom to NOT be Rosalie Bosia's daughter in every context. And it sort of happens but not quite in all the expected ways when she gets a boyfriend, her mother is shot by a cop at a rally and hospitalized, and she finds herself by discovering more about her mother's past and who her father is.
Teen readers who love a character-centered book will love it. Her face is front and center on the cover. There are plenty of questions and conversations to be had whether it be about body autonomy and microaggressions to activism and community.
August 31, 2022
4.5 This book was raw and angry, and for good reason. It was very empathy-building. I believe there were amazing conversations throughout. After Angie Thomas, this is another very important book, IMO. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that some of the conversations between friends were a bit over the top, again, in my opinion. I believe many people, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids, no matter what cultural background are rallying for social justice in America. I also didn't like a conversation about the main character breaking up relationships between Black boys and White girls. It was the most stereotypical and preposterous thing I have ever heard. There was so much bitterness in some of these conversations. And the ongoing accusations of racism at her White friends just because they are White didn't sit well. Overall, many generalizations were made, and I don't believe that is the best approach for unification in this country. It contributes more to the "Us against them" mentality. People should not be blamed for the sins of their fathers when they are trying to be way better than them. I also was not impressed with the romantic relationship, and how that all went down. I honestly liked the mom better than the main character.
Thank you so much to @netgalley for this advanced reader's copy for an honest review.
Thank you so much to @netgalley for this advanced reader's copy for an honest review.
December 19, 2023
This book is real, inspiring, and heartfelt, dropping you right into the life of the daughter of a woman who is basically Harlem’s superhero. That weight gets hard to carry, and isn’t part of celebrating Blackness getting to live a normal, joyful life? But in order to have that life, people like Ayomide’s mom have to speak out; she is trying to have hope for America and for Black America specifically. So it’s tricky. And that coming-of-age comes to Ayomide alongside everything else that happens over the course of this book.
The main message of this book—fighting racism and advocating for justice—is also supported by feminism, keeping people safe, LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Black community, family, humour, and lots about the Black identity and Black history and celebrating them. It’s kind of like The Hate U Give but also its own thing.
Thematic questions that are asked include: How does activism not just become a constant downer and burden? How do you find the motivation and support to keep going in it—the reasons why? How do you come out of your worst tragedies? Etc.
Anyway—it’s amazingly written. I love the speeches like that of Ayomide at the end of Chapter 7, and quotes like, “I ain’t got to do nothing but stay Black and die.” I would recommend this book, hope for more of the changes it advocates for, and look forward to reading more from Arnold.
The main message of this book—fighting racism and advocating for justice—is also supported by feminism, keeping people safe, LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Black community, family, humour, and lots about the Black identity and Black history and celebrating them. It’s kind of like The Hate U Give but also its own thing.
Thematic questions that are asked include: How does activism not just become a constant downer and burden? How do you find the motivation and support to keep going in it—the reasons why? How do you come out of your worst tragedies? Etc.
Anyway—it’s amazingly written. I love the speeches like that of Ayomide at the end of Chapter 7, and quotes like, “I ain’t got to do nothing but stay Black and die.” I would recommend this book, hope for more of the changes it advocates for, and look forward to reading more from Arnold.
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