I Rise
I Rise by Marie Arnold, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2022, is a 320-page work written in English. This novel follows fourteen-year-old Ayo as she grapples with the aftermath of her mother’s shooting by police. As Ayo navigates her grief and the expectations placed upon her by her community, she seeks guidance from her ancestors and the vibrant culture of Harlem.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of family, social justice, and the challenges of adolescence. Ayo is torn between her desire for a typical teenage life and the weight of her mother’s legacy as the founder of a significant civil rights movement addressing police brutality and racial profiling. The story explores Ayo’s internal struggle as she contemplates taking on her mother’s activist role while also yearning for personal experiences typical of her age.
Official synopsis Publisher
“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
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