Each year, the American Library Association's Social Responsibilities Round Table releases its 2024 RISE list of the year's best feminist books for readers ages 0-18. In honor of Women's History Month, here are this year's Rise Top 10 books. You can read the full list online here.
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Flower girl
by Amy Bloom Nicki's favorite aunt is getting married, and Nicki is excited to be the Flower Girl: she is all in for love and pretty petals. But when the family goes shopping to find outfits for the wedding, Nicki doesn't feel like herself in any of the dresses her mom and aunt pick out for her, and all her happiness and excitement for the wedding evaporates. Nicki must find her voice--and her own style of expression to match it--to make Aunt Carmela's big day absolutely perfect. |
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Big
by Vashti Harrison This emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small follows a young child's journey to self-love, showing the power of words to both hurt and heal. |
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My powerful hair
by Carole Lindstrom In this empowering story about family history, self-expression and reclaiming your identity, a young girl cannot wait to grow her hair long to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her. 100,000 first printing. |
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Autumn Peltier, water warrior
by Carole Lindstrom Indigenous women have always worked tirelessly to protect our water-keeping it pure and clean for the generations to come. Yet there was a time when their voices and teachings were nearly drowned out, leaving entire communities and environments in danger and without clean water. But then came Grandma Josephine and her great-niece, Autumn Peltier. |
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Barely floating
by Lilliam Rivera Channeling her rage into synchronized swimming dreams, 12-year-old Nat, who doesn't care what people think, fights for what she wants as she builds a community of those who lift her up and help her stay afloat when waters get rough. |
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Spin
by Rebecca Caprara After the tragic death of her family, 16-year-old Arachne flees to the city of Colophon, where her skills as a weaver are put to the test, leading to a confrontation with the goddess Athena that results in an exposé of divine misdeeds and unexpected redemption. |
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The Blackwoods
by Brandy Colbert Told from multiple points of view, Ardith and Hollis Blackwood's lives are upended when their great-grandmother, legendary actress Blossom Blackwood, passes away, and family secrets emerge |
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I kick and I fly
by Ruchira Gupta Instead of being sold into Bihar, India's sex trade, 14-year-old Heera stays at a local hostel for at-risk girls where she learns, through the practice of martial arts, that her body is a vessel through which she can protect herself and those around her. |
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The moonlit vine
by Elizabeth Santiago Told with interstitial historical chapters, fourteen-year-old Taina (Ty) must draw from the strength of her Taino ancestors to bring her family and community hope and healing after a devastating incident. |
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All the fighting parts
by Hannah V. Sawyerr In the wake of being sexually assaulted by her pastor, sixteen-year-old Amina struggles to regain her footing until she finds the strength within herself to confront her abuser in court. |