Great Reads from Great Places: Young Readers

Great Reads from Great Places

Each year Massachusetts selects a special youth title to represent the Commonwealth in the “Great Reads from Great Places” program. The affiliated centers for the book promote their selections at the Roadmap to Reading section of National Book Festival. To read more about it, visit Great Reads from Great Places at the Library of Congress.

Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History

by Rachel C. Katz, illustrated by Sophie Bass

“Throughout our long history, when something's unfair
When rights need expanding, or wrongs need repair
Americans argue. We march and we cheer.
We write songs and speeches. We go volunteer.”

From the Boston Tea Party to the Capitol Crawl, inspire young activists in this bold nonfiction picture book that explores 25 moments of protest, resistance and revolution throughout American history. In a powerful celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, teach kids how we campaign and vote. We challenge tradition. Protest is American by definition!

PURCHASE BOOK

LESSON PLAN

Editorial Reviews

"A moving historical protest primer that invites even the youngest readers to rise up and fight for what's right.”
-Kirkus Reviews

"...[A] book that is VERY much a book we need for our times right now. 25 protests . . . showing kids how to get into some good trouble. Don't think that it's all the same stories you've seen before, though. There are bound to be a couple in here that surprise you. With vibrant art, the book's backmatter includes info boxes, educational endnotes, a timeline, and more to encourage kids to consider the changes they want to make in the world. Rise up!" -Betsy Bird, A Fuse 8 Production, School Library Journal

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Meet the Author

Rachel C. Katz is a curriculum consultant and a writer who loves making American history accessible to young readers. She holds an MFA from Hamline University’s Writing for Children and Young Adults program. Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History is her debut picture book. In addition to writing both serious and silly picture books, Rachel also writes graphic novels and nonfiction for older readers.

When she’s not writing, Rachel loves making art, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with her family. She probably didn’t hear what you just said because she’s busy reading. She lives in Massachusetts.

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Meet the Illustrator

Sophie Bass is a London based Illustrator of mixed British and Trinidadian heritage.
Creating work inspired by music, social justice, mythology and symbolism.

ILLUSTRATOR WEBSITE

Previous Massachusetts Great Reads: Young Readers

Click each book to learn more and/or to purchase them at the Mass Center for the Book Shop on Bookshop.org and support local, independent bookstores as well as Mass Center for the Book.