Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History

by Rachel C. Katz, Sophie Bass (illustrator)

Genres: Activism, Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Politics, History

48 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

An very timely book to give to a child today...

Highlighting nearly 2 dozen well known protest marches held in the U.S., this nonfiction picture book raises the visibility of past protests and their results opening a door for readers to see the relationship of the past to what is now occurring in our country. Beginning with the Boston Tea Party (against taxes on tea) and Marian Anderson's outdoor concert at the Lincoln Memorial (against racism to perform in a white venue), other civil injustices are revealed through books written to report corporate injustices, posters and photos sparking controversy, and protests regarding eminent domain, voting and individual rights and liberties, civil rights, and worker's rights are topics covered.

Most of the topics are given a 2-pagespread of rhyming couplets text to talk about the reason for the protest and how it was resolved. It also includes a box with more detail about the protest and the year it occurred. Backmatter includes a timeline of when each of these protests occurred (they are not listed in chronological order in the book), a Map of the U.S. indicating where various protests were held and the date, and more information about each protest in back (most as a box or bullet points). The book notes inside that American spellings are used in this book.

Illustrations by Sophie Bass were rendered in gouache. She uses bold bright colors in her palette for this one, with reds, yellows, golds, and black playing a prominent part of pointing emphasis in an image or spread.

Attractive and with just enough information to start a conversation, this would make an excellent choice to use in a social studies unit on protests in American History.

Highly Recommended for grades 2-5.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way this book is organized is impressive since the table of contents and each small section honor all the different ways individuals have protested in the past. From writing books to showing up to walking alone to walking out, there are many different ways to make our voices heard. This particular title makes it seem as though protesting is part of the American way, which was encouraging and affirming for the next generation. Although some of the rhyming lines don't flow as smoothly as might be desired, they still move readers from page to page against the backdrop of bright colors in the gouache artwork and individuals who are engaged in activities that might lead to change but certainly insure that voices are being heard. There are sidebars along the way that identify the protest or change that was being sought. Of course, not every protest accomplished its intended goals, something the author makes sure to acknowledge. There's also a double-page spread map of the United States showing where these protests took place. Ten pages in the back matter expand on the protests highlighted on the previous pages. RISE UP, INDEED! It almost goes without saying that this book is important to have in today's classrooms as many changes in laws and regulations are being proposed that might be worth challenging. Add this one [3.5 for me!] to a social studies or history classroom library.

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Protest is American by definition!"

When I found Rachel C. Katz's Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History, it seemed like an interesting introduction to activism for children, inspiring them to understand how important our voices can be, whether we are young, old or anything in between. Little did I know how timely this book would become, living in the US in the early months of 2025.

"When we learn about the past, we better understand the present." Sing it, sister.

"The Constitution protected protest through the 1st Amendment, so that Americans could speak up if their liberty was threatened. Through protest, Americans have redefined equality and justice in every generation." Louder for the back, please.

This powerfully illustrated book shows all the ways people have protested in our nation's history: by taking action, singing, writing books, making art, influencing laws, and mostly by just showing up. I wish I could gift this book to every child, so they can feel empowered in a world that is changing faster and in ways none of us quite understand.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stand up for what you believe! This informative book outlines a plethora of protests throughout American history with an index that allows exploration of various resistance movements. Each page focuses on a specific protest, providing a clear overview of events and its initial motivation.  Dynamic illustrations capture the spirit and historical significance of each individual event with accurate representations of that time period. Helpful endmatter includes both a timeline, visually sequencing each historic event chronologically, and a detailed map highlighting where these events happened across the United States. Additional details about each protest serve as excellent starting points for readers interested in further research. An engaging collection of American resistance that will both entertain and inspire civic-minded young readers. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through a series of rhyming couplets, RISE UP! POWERFUL PROTESTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY by Rachel C. Katz introduces young readers to the history of protests in the United States. The verse format and bold, colorful illustrations by Sophie Bass make the content engaging and accessible as it offers the reasons for different protests, including boycotts, parades, and petitions, that Americans used to make their voices heard about injustices. Text boxes on each page share the outcome of each act of protest, showing how these events have helped to shape the country. Extensive backmatter, including a timeline, map, and additional information about the events highlighted in the book, offers further historical detail for both youth and adult readers. The book delivers an excellent resource for social studies instruction--and the important message that even one person’s voice can make a difference.

Thank you to the publisher for sharing an eARC of the book with me.

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise Up Powerful Protests In American History by @rachelckatz @sophiebass_illustration is an inspiring, factual, creative, moving and delightful read! I love that this book highlights depth of emotion and that not all fights lead to desired outcomes. Advocacy is often glorified in a light that could mislead individuals to believe it is easy. While worth it even when the goal is not achieved, adovacy is not easy. It takes work, commitment, and bravery. Ruby Bridges had to be lonely, Robert Smalls had to fear the stakes if he was caught, Upton Sinclair's  uncover journey must have been  time consuming and could have lead to no one reading his work, the individuals at the Capitol Crawl pushed themselves to their physical limit.......yet facing each challenge was worth the possibility of a more just future for themselves and others. This powerful message is clear in the presentation of this book. I loved learning about these 25 moments of revolution!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel C. Katz introduces 25 moments of Revolution in America with rhyming poetry, adding brief prose explanations of each particular moment. A few examples include books like Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, Voting Age protests to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, and Loving vs. Virginia to legalize interracial marriage. Sophie Bass adds gorgeous illustrations of the times, each page wonderfully offering many details that will make readers curious for more! Katz adds information about the protests at the back, plus there’s a call for joining in for a cause of one’s own, a timeline of events, and a map of events at the end, all with additional creative illustrations by Bass. This would serve beautifully as a classroom project, with students choosing to dig more deeply into one of the topics where people wanted change.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! But I had one of the questions that I often have with children's books like this one. And that is, "Who is the intended audience here?" Because this book is so filled with information and ideas that I'd use it to design a college syllabus for a class on American History.
That said, it is colorful and of course it is meant to be read by an adult to or with a child. I imagine lots of conversation--questions, thoughts etc. going on with each page. What looks to be a short book might end up being a long read and that is fine if it is sparking interest. I think that it will. I'd recommend this book to anybody and everybody of all ages.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I can't wait until it comes out. It's a total winner!

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise Up! takes a look at over two centuries of American protest, from the Boston Tea Party and the Silent Sentinels of the Suffrage Movement to the Prides of the 1970s and the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Countless Americans from all walks of life have protested to change our country for the better, and this book is an engaging, informative way to teach children their history early.

The illustrations are so bright and vibrant, and the rhyming makes the whole book flow well. I also appreciate the in-depth back pages that go into more historical detail. This will make a brilliant addition to any child's bookshelf!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Charessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Barefoot Books, for the eGalley to review!

Excellent, excellent, excellent! This is a children's book but it is also a wonderful primer for all ages on the importance of protesting. Its rhymes will make the historical facts and solid reasoning memorable. I also loved the extended history lessons in the back about each major protest that helped shape the United States for the better. There were people and protests even I as an adult didn't know about!

This book is more than just a series of fun historical rhymes. It's a rallying call for everyone who reads it to be prepared to fight for what's good in the world. We'll likely always need protests and a book like this is an awesome first step in understanding why that is. Bravo to the team who made this!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love history. I love finding patterns, learning interesting stories, and understanding how the past connects to the present. This book is exactly the kind of history I adore. Walk through the history of American protests with this nonfiction book. From the Boston Tea Party to Ruby Bridge’s First Day of School and protests about water pollution, kids will learn history while listening to rhyming pairs of texts and looking at boldly illustrated pictures. Don’t miss the backmatter that includes a timeline of events, a map of where protests have taken place around the country, and more facts about the different people and events.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and rhyming passages with just the right amount of information for the target age. I appreciate the timeline shown at the end, and the reminders about how long the continent was inhabited long before America was colonized. It must be challenging to determine the scope for a book like this - e.g. no mention of Stonewall or Black Lives Matter, which I suppose makes sense due to the target age.

The Advanced Review Copy (ARC) was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley ARC - an important and well-done timeline of protests in the USA. I think the timeline and further info in the back was great, but my favorite part was the illustrations and the rhyming text. A must add to any library!

[Rachel Matsuoka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the dose of hope we need right now! Rise Up! is a powerfully written and boldly illustrated picture book about protests across American history. Adults and children alike will learn so much about the movements that built this country and our rights. This should be on everyone's shelves!

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. It tells how Americans fought for what they believed in and how it led to change. Even one person can make a difference.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This covers a wild range of American history and is very timely.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for These Times.

[Bilqis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this colorful book at the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War (USA), and it does a wonderful job showing the impact that various protests and movements have had throughout the course of this country's history.

The book is beautifully illustrated, and at the end, there is further information on each topic to discuss with children.

I gave this 4 stars.