Watch Us Rise

Watch Us Rise follows two high school juniors, Chelsea and Jasmine, who attend a progressive NYC high school focused on social justice. When their school's administration dismisses their concerns about discrimination and representation, they create a Women's Rights Club and start a blog to amplify their voices. Chelsea, a white aspiring writer, and Jasmine, a Black plus-size poet and actor, face opposition as they tackle issues like racism, body image, and sexism through their art and activism. Their blog gains attention beyond school walls, leading to both support and backlash from their community. The story chronicles how the two friends navigate family relationships, first love, grief, and personal identity while fighting for change in their school. Their journey demonstrates the intersections between art, activism, and coming-of-age in contemporary America. Through dual perspectives, Watch Us Rise explores themes of friendship, systemic inequality, and the power of young voices to challenge the status quo. The novel spotlights how art and writing can serve as tools for resistance and social change.

Readers value the book's focus on activism, feminism, and racial justice while finding some aspects of the execution lacking. Many note its relevance for teen readers and authentic depiction of friendship between the main characters. Positives from reviews: - Strong representation of diverse characters - Important messages about standing up for beliefs - Realistic portrayal of high school experiences - Poetry and creative writing elements throughout - Parent-child relationships feel authentic Common criticisms: - Characters can come across as preachy - Plot feels contrived in places - Some dialogue seems unrealistic for teens - Messages sometimes overshadow story development Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4/5 (15 ratings) Several teen reviewers on Goodreads mention connecting with the activism themes but finding the characters "too perfect." Multiple readers note the book works better as an introduction to feminism than as a compelling story.

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📚 Author Renée Watson grew up in Portland, Oregon, where she experienced racism and discrimination that would later influence her writing about social justice. 🎭 The book features two artistic forms of activism: Chelsea's poetry and Jasmine's theater performances, reflecting the power of art as a tool for social change. ✊ The title "Watch Us Rise" was inspired by Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise," which is referenced throughout the novel. 👥 The story explores intersectional feminism, addressing how race, body image, and gender discrimination overlap in the characters' experiences. 🏫 The Women's Rights Club created by the protagonists was based on real student activism groups Watson observed while working with young people in New York City schools.