I Rise

“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

One protest changes everything. Now, Ayo's normal teen life is on hold, and her mother's legacy is in her hands.

A Powerful Mother-Daughter Story: Ayo has spent her life in the shadow of her activist mother, Rosalie Bosia. When her mom can no longer fight, Ayo must decide whether to carry the weight of a movement or finally claim a life of her own. An Unflinching Look at Activism: Go behind the scenes of the ‘See Us’ civil rights movement as it tackles police violence and racial profiling in a city on edge. Finding Your Black Girl Magic: Overwhelmed by grief and anger, Ayo looks to the wisdom of her ancestors and the strength of her Harlem community to discover the power she never knew she had. A Touch of First Love: In the midst of the chaos, Ayo still longs for her first real kiss and a normal teenage life, adding a layer of heart and hope to this impactful story.