Rise: A Feminist Book Project has been promoting quality feminist literature for young readers since 2002 as a part of the Feminist Task Force and the Social Responsibilities Round Table. Each year, the project compiles an annotated book list of well-written books with significant feminist content, intended for young readers (ages birth through 18).
CA Library has been highlighting titles from the Rise Project over the past few years — you can find them in the catalog by searching Rise: A Feminist Book Project.
In addition to the full list, the committee selects a Top Ten list, representing the very best in feminist literature for young readers — here are the current top five young adult titles in the CA Library collection:
The Blackwoods by Brandy Colbert — From award–winning author Brandy Colbert (Black Birds In The Sky) comes the story of four generations of a Hollywood family—an unforgettable tale of ambition, fame, struggle, loss, and love in America. 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. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“A striking testament to the bonds of family and a perceptive study in how events can echo throughout generations” (Kirkus Reviews).
The Moonlit Vine by Elizabeth Santiago — Fourteen-year-old Taína (Ty) must draw from the strength of her Taíno ancestors to bring her family and community hope and healing after a devastating incident.
“Filled with arresting prose and historical stories, this novel brings Puerto Rican history into the present, mixing in realistic themes to which most readers will relate” (Booklist).
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. Get the eBook
“Arachne’s own anger serves her purposes; if speaking truth to power exacts a high price, it’s one she’s willing to pay. Exciting, richly textured, thought-provoking fare” (Kirkus Reviews).
I Kick and I Fly by Ruchira Gupta — Instead of being sold into Bihar, India’s sex trade, fourteen-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.
“Gupta renders Heera’s perseverance amid grueling circumstances via straightforward prose and imbues this searing tale with an ominous ambiance that complements its dark themes” (Publishers Weekly).
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. Get the Audiobook
“An unforgettable story of healing told through phenomenal poetry” (Kirkus Reviews).