I Rise

As the daughter of Harlem’s most influential activist, 14-year-old Ayomide Bosia has always had a keen awareness of the often lethal societal injustices that affect the everyday lives of Black community members. Ayo’s mother, Rosalie, is the founder of See Us, a civil rights activist group that challenges police brutality and institutional racism, and provides support to Harlem residents. While Ayo has an unfaltering belief in Rosalie’s mission, and sees herself as a budding activist, she struggles to balance her desire to be a “normal” teenager with her mother’s expectations that she eventually take over See Us. But when Rosalie is shot during a televised protest and subsequently falls into a coma, Ayo—who assumes leadership of See Us—is overwhelmed by her community’s needs. Arnold (The Year I Flew Away) depicts even the narrative’s most painful moments with compassionate prose, exploring Ayo’s struggles to navigate her newfound responsibilities, her frustration with an unjust system, and her mourning of her quickly vanishing childhood with nuance and heart. A lively, complex cast and their unignorable plea for safety, respect, and equality rounds out this potent novel. Ages 12–up. (Aug.)