I Rise

Ages 12 And Up, Grades 7 And Up

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. 

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.

About the Author

Marie Arnold was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and came to America at the age of seven. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York alongside her extended family. Marie enjoys creating stories full of adventure and wonder which center on girls of color. When she's not writing, she's adding to her insanely long Netflix queue and trying not to order pizza. She is also the author of The Year I Flew Away.