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Watch Us Rise Renée Watson Ellen Hagan Books

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Watch Us Rise Renée Watson Ellen Hagan Books

In three words: Thought-provoking, emotional, inspiring.

Jasmine, Chelsea, and their friends attended a very progressive school, which was supposed to focus on social justice.Yet, there were social injustices being committed left and right on school grounds. Instead of giving up, Jasmine and Chelsea formed a club, Write Like a Girl, where they shared stories, poetry, playlists, and information regarding women's issues and those, who have been fighting for women.

One of the things I really enjoyed in this book was all the extras we got with the narrative: the illustrations, the poetry, the prose, the op-ed piece, and all the other informative essays. It was brilliant the way Watson and Hagan used these pieces to educate the reader, and they sought to inform without being preachy.

The same cannot be said for Chelsea. I gave her a little leeway, because I understood that she was a very passionate teen, but there were so many times she came across as one of those ranty white women. Her need to stir the pot ALL THE TIME was grating on me. Though, I did appreciate her struggle with her feminist ideals and subscribing to society's beauty standard, and I was proud of a big choice she made at one point as well.

Chelsea was a little bit of a struggle, but you know, who I absolutely adored? Jasmine. I welcomed all her thoughts with open arms. Both Jasmine and Chelsea were frustrated with beauty ideals, but I found Jasmine's emotions so much more relatable. And, my heart broke for her and her family as they watched their father's illness progress. I cried just about every time dad was on page, and not just because it was sad for Jasmine, but because I thought he was pretty incredible. I loved how he supported not only Jasmine's growth, but that of her friends as well, by giving them different "challenges" to complete.

But I didn't just cry for dad. I also cried during the big climax. I am a woman, who attended engineering school and worked in IT during the early 90s. Lots of sexism, and seeing these fiction young women rage for equality put a smile on my face, and made me wish I had half their courage back when I was their age.

This book wasn't all BIG issues though. There were also common teen woes and worries in there regarding crushes, friendship, and family, which the authors wove into the story quite well.

Overall: A really well written and compelling story of finding and making sure your voice is heard.


Tags : Amazon.com: Watch Us Rise (9781547600083): Renée Watson, Ellen Hagan: Books,Renée Watson, Ellen Hagan,Watch Us Rise,Bloomsbury YA,154760008X,Best friends,Best friends;Fiction.,Clubs,Clubs;Fiction.,Electronic publishing,Friendship,High schools,New York (N.Y.),Schools,Teenagers' writings,Women's rights,Women's rights;Fiction.,101701 Bloomsbury US Childrens HC,JUVENILE,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Grades 7-9 Ages 12-14,New York,Social Themes Friendship,Social Themes Prejudice & Racism,TEEN'S FICTION - GENERAL,United States,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Girls & Women,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Friendship,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Prejudice & Racism,Young Adult FictionSocial Themes - Friendship,Young Adult FictionSocial Themes - Prejudice & Racism,young adult; YA novel; YA fiction; award winning author; Newbery honor; Coretta Scott King award; bestselling author; debut; feminism; feminist anthem; manifesto; sexism; race; African American; black girl; New York City; activism; high school; poetry; poems; social media; dual point of view; dual POV; microaggresions; moxie; women's rights; women's equality; women's march; inspire; compelling; timely

Watch Us Rise Renée Watson Ellen Hagan Books Reviews

This is a great book for grades 6/age 12 and up. The main characters are girls of color who attend an amazing school where activism and inclusion are part of the daily curriculum - or so it seems. They soon find out that what is said and what actually happens are two different things, as it often is in life, politics, and the corporate world. However, this close knit group of friends weather several personal storms concerning family, self, and society. They find both adult and youth supporters and are able to make huge positive changes in their school culture, which spreads to the greater world. However, this wraps up all to easily. With only a little struggle, the "bad" guys lose and the "good" folk win, which for activists is not even close to reality. So this might be a good book to read as a coming-of-age novel, but for those young activists, they will need discussion about the bigger realities in life. Overall, it is well written with good characters.
"We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun." -- John Lennon, 1970 from "Instant Karma"

I thought this was an excellent book with very appealing characters. For me it was a bit of a game changer in that I wish this book and others of its ilk existed during my formative years. For me it was very empowering, enriching and enlightening to see strong girl characters of different racial backgrounds take an active stand in changing policies they rightfully felt were unfair and in making the world a better place. The four teens featured in this book are Jasmine, a brilliant actress/writer whose father is terminally ill; Isaac, a kind boy and gifted artist who understands Jasmine's grief as he lost his own mother to illness a decade prior; Chelsea, who is Italo-Irish and a poet and Nadine, who is Japano-Lebanese and a singer/DJ.

I loved the interaction among the characters and the way they planned to make a smoother path for all, especially people who were multi-racial and for girls. Jasmine, the actress and Isaac, who shared roles with her on stage are strong, voices. Jasmine said she refused to play stereotypical black characters and would continue to speak in her own voice and imbue her roles with her own strong personality. You can't help but love her. The other characters back her up and really are a strong, cohesive unit. They offer one another comfort when facing painful events, such as Jasmine's father's illness. They become the voices of their school and fortunately, after a school club walk out they staged, they are able to enlist a teacher who will stand with them. I love this book and I can't recommend it highly enough.

The girls' anthem is Helen Reddy's 1972 hit "I Am Woman" and Isaac's is Whodini's 1984 hit "Friends" and K-OS's 1996 "Rise Like the Sun" underscores this book.
In three words Thought-provoking, emotional, inspiring.

Jasmine, Chelsea, and their friends attended a very progressive school, which was supposed to focus on social justice.Yet, there were social injustices being committed left and right on school grounds. Instead of giving up, Jasmine and Chelsea formed a club, Write Like a Girl, where they shared stories, poetry, playlists, and information regarding women's issues and those, who have been fighting for women.

One of the things I really enjoyed in this book was all the extras we got with the narrative the illustrations, the poetry, the prose, the op-ed piece, and all the other informative essays. It was brilliant the way Watson and Hagan used these pieces to educate the reader, and they sought to inform without being preachy.

The same cannot be said for Chelsea. I gave her a little leeway, because I understood that she was a very passionate teen, but there were so many times she came across as one of those ranty white women. Her need to stir the pot ALL THE TIME was grating on me. Though, I did appreciate her struggle with her feminist ideals and subscribing to society's beauty standard, and I was proud of a big choice she made at one point as well.

Chelsea was a little bit of a struggle, but you know, who I absolutely adored? Jasmine. I welcomed all her thoughts with open arms. Both Jasmine and Chelsea were frustrated with beauty ideals, but I found Jasmine's emotions so much more relatable. And, my heart broke for her and her family as they watched their father's illness progress. I cried just about every time dad was on page, and not just because it was sad for Jasmine, but because I thought he was pretty incredible. I loved how he supported not only Jasmine's growth, but that of her friends as well, by giving them different "challenges" to complete.

But I didn't just cry for dad. I also cried during the big climax. I am a woman, who attended engineering school and worked in IT during the early 90s. Lots of sexism, and seeing these fiction young women rage for equality put a smile on my face, and made me wish I had half their courage back when I was their age.

This book wasn't all BIG issues though. There were also common teen woes and worries in there regarding crushes, friendship, and family, which the authors wove into the story quite well.

Overall A really well written and compelling story of finding and making sure your voice is heard.