📘 Girls on the Rise
Words by Amanda Gorman; Illustrated by Loveis Wise
Genre/Category: Poetry / Empowerment

Target Age Group: Ages 4–8

Format Read: Physical Copy
 

🌀 Plot Summary (1–2 Sentences)
This children’s book is a powerful, poetic celebration of girlhood. It uplifts and unites girls of all kinds by reminding them that while we are all different, we are equally beautiful, courageous, bright, brave, strong, we are a movement, and we are powerful.
 

✅ Why I Chose This Book
As an avid feminist, I was thrilled to find Girls on the Rise while researching children’s poetry books. It aligns with everything I believe in for us girlies. A lot of poetry can be hard to understand, but after reading a sample of this one, I knew instantly that this would be my pick. It's a powerful and beautiful poem that calls out to everyone. To me, it’s one of the best feminist pieces I’ve encountered, it’s about celebrating what we’ve accomplished, how we come together, and how we continue to rise.
 

🔍 Evaluation

1. Illustrations
When I first saw the name on the cover, Loveis Wise, I had to look it up to see if it was a pseudonym or their actual name. Loveis Wise (they/he) brings such incredible attention to detail. I loved the representation throughout: a beautifully diverse group of girls with different skin tones, hair types, girls wearing hijabs, in wheelchairs, sporty, curvy, you name it! One of my favorite details was a character with a "they/she" sticker, and the illustrator consistently included it on every page the character appeared. Another standout element was the use of swirling patterns in the background; usually in poetry we decipher metaphors, and to me, these swirls represented the collective spirit of all the girls—flowing throughout the book like energy connecting them.

2. Style and Language
The alliteration in the poem was absolutely stunning, lines like “bright and brave” and “gleaming, giving, gifted, glorious glitter and grit” gave the poem a rhythmic, musical quality that pulled me in. The rhyming and repetition gave it momentum, like it was building and building toward something powerful. Amanda Gorman’s use of poetic devices made the message feel both lyrical and empowering, which makes it accessible to young readers while still resonating deeply with older ones too.

3. Theme
The overall message of the book is that girls are strong—we are a movement, and we are rising. It’s about sisterhood, self-love, resilience, and pride in our identities. The poem honors our differences while showing our unity. It’s filled with hope and strength, and I love how it doesn’t just talk to girls—it celebrates them. This is a book that uplifts, energizes, and reminds readers that we are capable of anything.
 

📚 Reference
Gorman, A., & Wise, L. (Illustrator). (2024). Girls on the rise. Viking Books for Young Readers.