Each year, the American Library Association compiles Rise: A Feminist Book List, collecting the best feminist literature for readers age 0-18. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are this year’s Rise Top Ten. You can see the full list of titles at the ALA website!
The judgment of Yoyo Gold
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Yoyo Gold has always played the role of the perfect Jewish daughter. She keeps kosher, looks after her siblings, and volunteers at the local food bank. She respects the decisions of her rabbi father and encourages her friends to observe the rules of their Orthodox faith. But when she sees her best friend cast out of the community over a seemingly innocent transgression, Yoyo's eyes are opened to the truth of her neighbors' hypocrisies for the first time. And what she sees leaves her shocked and unmoored. As Yoyo's frustration builds, so does the pressure to speak out, even if she can only do so anonymously on TikTok, an app that's always been forbidden to her. But when one of her videos goes viral--and her decisions wind up impacting not only her own life but also her relationship with the boy she's falling for--Yoyo's world is thrown into chaos. She is forced to choose which path to take, for her community, for her family, and most importantly, for herself.
Yoyo Gold has always played the role of the perfect Jewish daughter. She keeps kosher, looks after her siblings, and volunteers at the local food bank. She respects the decisions of her rabbi father and encourages her friends to observe the rules of their Orthodox faith. But when she sees her best friend cast out of the community over a seemingly innocent transgression, Yoyo's eyes are opened to the truth of her neighbors' hypocrisies for the first time. And what she sees leaves her shocked and unmoored. As Yoyo's frustration builds, so does the pressure to speak out, even if she can only do so anonymously on TikTok, an app that's always been forbidden to her. But when one of her videos goes viral--and her decisions wind up impacting not only her own life but also her relationship with the boy she's falling for--Yoyo's world is thrown into chaos. She is forced to choose which path to take, for her community, for her family, and most importantly, for herself.
Plain Jane and the mermaid
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When her last shot at happiness is kidnapped by a mermaid, Jane, who is incredibly plain according to everyone around her, ventures underwater to rescue her maybe-fiancé, summoning her courage, confidence and inner beauty to crusade for the only thing that matters—her independence.
When her last shot at happiness is kidnapped by a mermaid, Jane, who is incredibly plain according to everyone around her, ventures underwater to rescue her maybe-fiancé, summoning her courage, confidence and inner beauty to crusade for the only thing that matters—her independence.
Bright red fruit
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Samira is determined to have a perfect summer filled with fun parties, exploring DC, and growing as a poet--until a scandalous rumor has her grounded and unable to leave her house. When Samira turns to a poetry forum for solace, she catches the eye of an older, charismatic poet named Horus. For the first time, Samira feels wanted. But soon she's keeping a bigger secret than ever before--one that that could prove her reputation and jeopardize her place in her community.
Samira is determined to have a perfect summer filled with fun parties, exploring DC, and growing as a poet--until a scandalous rumor has her grounded and unable to leave her house. When Samira turns to a poetry forum for solace, she catches the eye of an older, charismatic poet named Horus. For the first time, Samira feels wanted. But soon she's keeping a bigger secret than ever before--one that that could prove her reputation and jeopardize her place in her community.
Ida B. Wells marches for the vote
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Painting a vivid portrait of one of the most influential civil rights leaders and her critical role in the Women's March of 1913, this picture book recounts how she worked tirelessly to fight for an America that was fair to everyone, regardless of race and gender.
Painting a vivid portrait of one of the most influential civil rights leaders and her critical role in the Women's March of 1913, this picture book recounts how she worked tirelessly to fight for an America that was fair to everyone, regardless of race and gender.
The beautiful game
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When she gets her first period while wearing white shorts during the State Cup semifinal, which unexpectedly eliminates her team, 13-year-old Valeria is relegated to a girls' team for the first time, and with the next tournament fast approaching, she must learn to play like a girl.
When she gets her first period while wearing white shorts during the State Cup semifinal, which unexpectedly eliminates her team, 13-year-old Valeria is relegated to a girls' team for the first time, and with the next tournament fast approaching, she must learn to play like a girl.
Find her
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Twelve-year-old Wren fights to find her missing Cherokee mother, while also navigating a chilling town mystery, a new friendship, and a family in need of healing.
Twelve-year-old Wren fights to find her missing Cherokee mother, while also navigating a chilling town mystery, a new friendship, and a family in need of healing.
The Race to Be Myself : Young Readers Edition
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A two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion in track from South Africa reflects on her groundbreaking career and her fight for identity and the right to compete in professional sports after she was forced to take devastating hormone-altering drugs due to her naturally high testosterone levels.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion in track from South Africa reflects on her groundbreaking career and her fight for identity and the right to compete in professional sports after she was forced to take devastating hormone-altering drugs due to her naturally high testosterone levels.
The unboxing of a Black girl
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Written as a collection of vignettes and poetry, The Unboxing of a Black Girl is a creative nonfiction reflection on Black girlhood. The debut YA title, by award-winning author Angela Shante, is a love letter to Black girls set in New York City and serves as a personal and political critique of how the world raises Black girls.
Written as a collection of vignettes and poetry, The Unboxing of a Black Girl is a creative nonfiction reflection on Black girlhood. The debut YA title, by award-winning author Angela Shante, is a love letter to Black girls set in New York City and serves as a personal and political critique of how the world raises Black girls.
Black girl you are Atlas
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This semi-autobiographical collection of poems recounts the New York Times best-selling author's experience growing up as a Black girl at the intersections of race, class and gender and provides an urgent call for Black girls to step into their power.
This semi-autobiographical collection of poems recounts the New York Times best-selling author's experience growing up as a Black girl at the intersections of race, class and gender and provides an urgent call for Black girls to step into their power.
Diary of a confused feminist : a novel
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British teen Kat Evens, determined to be a good feminist, stumbles through high school with all its bullies, parties, embarrassing moments and crippling self-doubt with the help of her best friends, her parents and her diary as she figures out how to reach her goal.
British teen Kat Evens, determined to be a good feminist, stumbles through high school with all its bullies, parties, embarrassing moments and crippling self-doubt with the help of her best friends, her parents and her diary as she figures out how to reach her goal.