Dickens & Rumi
Cover of GIRLS ON THE RISE

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GIRLS ON THE RISE

Amanda Gorman

Young girls raising their voices and making a difference. (Ages 4 to 8)

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters1/5
  • Violence1/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5

What’s in it?

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

The work reflects inclusive themes and diverse human experiences generally.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

No meaningful violence is expected; the book focuses on celebration, possibility, and girls' positive contributions.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Encourages girls to speak up, pursue their hopes, and meet challenges with bravery. Courage is a strong theme, though the available evidence does not establish it as the sole focus.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Encourages readers to use language creatively to influence and inspire change.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Celebrates girls’ varied voices and identities and promotes belonging. The evidence supports prominent inclusive representation, though details about specific groups are limited.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Encourages interest in poetry, civic engagement, and social awareness.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Promotes empathy, collective care, and compassionate advocacy.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong, positive messages about leadership, justice, and the power of individual voice.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Amanda Gorman acts as a powerful, inspirational role model through her advocacy and art.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
  3. Which choice in GIRLS ON THE RISE would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in GIRLS ON THE RISE, and what caused that change?
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