Watch Us Rise

By: Renée Watson, Ellen Hagan

Narrated by: Angela Lewis, Em Eldridge

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Renée Watson teams up with poet Ellen Hagan in this YA feminist anthem about raising your voice.

Jasmine and Chelsea are best friends on a mission--they’re sick of the way women are treated even at their progressive NYC high school, so they decide to start a Women's Rights Club. They post their work online--poems, essays, videos of Chelsea performing her poetry, and Jasmine's response to the racial microaggressions she experiences--and soon they go viral. But with such positive support, the club is also targeted by trolls. When things escalate in real life, the principal shuts the club down. Not willing to be silenced, Jasmine and Chelsea will risk everything for their voices--and those of other young women--to be heard.

These two dynamic, creative young women stand up and speak out in a novel that features their compelling art and poetry along with powerful personal journeys that will inspire readers and budding poets, feminists, and activists.

©2019 Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan (P)2019 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"This stunning book is the story I’ve been waiting for my whole life; where girls rise up to claim their space with joy and power." (Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times best-selling and award-winning author of Speak)

"An extraordinary story of two indomitable spirits." (Brendan Kiely, New York Times bestselling co-author of All American Boys and Tradition)

"Timely, thought-provoking, and powerful." (Julie Murphy, New York Times best-selling author of Dumplin')

Phenomenal listening experience

A beautifully written book that addresses the intersections of race, class, and gender using contemporary language. A must read for sure!!!

Girls Coming of Age Story for Generation Y

“A highly needed work for the #MeToo movement...Watson and Hagan do not disappoint in this powerful story of two girls who take a stand against injustice--while learning how to navigate a world that seeks to silence them.”--SLJ starred review

“This intersectional, layered novel….covers a wide breadth of subjects---institutionalized racism, how we undermine young women, feminism in the modern age---with a clear message: Girls are going to come out on top”--Marie Claire

These are just a few reviews that I felt encompassed the message of the book “WATCH US RISE”, the powerful creation from NYTimes Bestselling, Coretta Scott King Award-winning, and Newbery Honor-winning author Renée Watson and poet Ellen Hagan”. I am thoroughly impressed with the topical discussion of the book and the writing for young women creating a new generation of coming of age stories for girls written by women.

“Watch Us Rise” centers around the friendship and experiences of Jasmine and Chelsea growing up in New York. This book is unlike any coming of age story that I read in my youth, such as the style of Judy Blume. This book centers on growing up female, what it means to grow up female in the eyes of others, especially undergoing expectations from social media constructs all while going through the angst that occurs in highschool. Due to their experiences and lack of representation they feel in the afterschool clubs they create their own Feminist blogging club “Write Like A Girl”. This serves as a creative space where they post music playlists, poems, essays, art, feminist writers/poets, and links to TedTalks focusing on equity and inclusion within their school as well as their world.

As a mother I couldn’t be proud that my daughter chose such a wonderful read that exposes her to the different plights that women and women of color experience that contribute to the unrealistic standards set by media standards and perpetuated throughout society. Also, showing her that there are ways to positively confront these “social constructs” while maintaining your self-esteem and creating a positive change that impacts how you see yourself. Also, understanding microaggressions and gas-lighting behaviors from others as a female and/or female of color and the power to SPEAK UP.

If you are searching for a book for your daughter that is a coming of age story relatable to Generation Y, what it is like to grow up female within the age of social media, recognizing your own value and power as a female and positively helping others, learning what feminism is, and finding ways to be a social activist within your school and community I highly recommend this book. Truly an inspiring read!

AWESOME Watch Us Rise

I learned a lot and in joyed it very much! Highly recommended for all. Fantastic!

Rise up

A thoughtful listen and inspiring story. Spend the time then make a move to the action side!