This was a very inspiring book about girls in developing countries and the pursuit of education, and how it has the power to transform lives.

I really wanted to review this book and the link to download would not work. I can tell from reviews online that it is exceptional and look forward to seeing it in person. We need more books like this in our classrooms and libraries!

I have blogged in the past about the movie Girl Rising and was very excited to see the release this past week of an accompanying text: GIRL RISING by Tanya Lee Stone. It is not often that we see a film become a book, but award-wining author Stone has used the 45 hours of raw video, field notes and her own research to expand upon the truly inspirational stories in the 2013 film.

The many, many vivid photographs of young girls and their comments about the importance of education in GIRL RISING are truly moving and unforgettable. I know that our [homeroom] advisors have used the movie and high school curriculum in the past and I hope they continue to do so since, as Stone reminds us, "Girls are girls, no matter where they live." She recounts some amazing statistics:

a girl on planet Earth has a one in four chance of being born into poverty;
in more than 50 countries, school is not free; and
62 million girls are not in school
even though education leads to increased earning, later marriages and pregnancies, fewer infant deaths and longer, healthier lives for women.

Stone continues to share statistics on human trafficking which disproportionately impacts young girls, and of forced labor (called restavek in Haiti and kamlari in Nepal). She briefly profiles organizations such as Restavek Freedom, Nepal Youth Foundation and other NGO's which rescue girls. Nicholas Kristof has also written frequently about these issues such as in "President Trump's War on Women Begins" and the books Half the Sky and A Path Appears, written with his wife, Sheryl WuDunn.

GIRL RISING continues with more statistics on child marriage and explores the factors behind limited access to education, as well as the key role of parents. In addition, there is an entire part that discusses possible solutions and offers hopeful updates on the girls profiled in the movie. There is an extensive bibliography with numerous articles, reports, videos and websites, plus source notes. GIRL RISING received starred reviews from both Booklist and Kirkus.

Links in the online post:
http://newtrierlibrary.blogspot.com/2014/08/girl-rising-must-see-documentary.html
http://girlrising.com/
http://girlrising.com/full-curriculum/#high-school
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/opinion/president-trumps-war-on-women-begins.html

Girl Rising is an inspiring and relevant collection of stories about girls who have overcome barriers that I have never dreamed of having to overcome. It is so important that people are aware of the fact that millions of girls aren’t in school just because they are girls. I am so impressed by the strength of these girls and their will to be educated. I learned so much by reading this, and it makes me interested in seeing the Girl Rising film. While I find it hard to rate non-fiction and people’s lives, the author’s writing itself is more of a 3.5-4 star read.

The knowledge garnered from Girl Rising is invaluable and motivating. I did feel the book was a little choppy and could be organized better. At some points, I felt like the author was talking a bit too much with language best suited for a ten-year-old rather than a teenager, who I believe should be the audience for this book. The author sometimes needed to be more real with the reader about these girls stories. The photos, art, and writing included with the personal stories were striking and one of the most influential parts of the book. I am sure the final version of the book is beautiful. Overall, I was inspired and motivated by Girl Rising, and I will hopefully be watching the film soon.

GIRL RISING takes a powerful film and puts together a book full of insight into the world of women’s rights, particularly with regards to education, around the world. It packs an emotional punch backed up by true stories, hard facts, and an unyielding current of hope. Absolutely inspirational this book is a must-read for every person looking towards the future with an open heart and a dream to help the female revolution reach every corner of the earth.
-pooled ink Reviews

Girl Rising

Changing the World One Girl at a Time



by Tanya Lee Stone;

Random House Children's

Wendy Lamb Books



Nonfiction (Adult), Teens & YA

Pub Date 14 Feb 2017 | Archive Date 14 Feb 2017

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Girl Rising through the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review which is as follows:

This book reminds us that while it is easy for us to notice our own place in this world it is important that we become aware of more than our own place, it's important that we become aware of the world beyond our little section of the world.

We are reminded of Malala and the way she stood up against the Taliban for destroying the girls school when she was only ten years old. In October of 2012 the Taliban boarded her school bus and shot her in the head. We are reminded too that there are thousands of girls like Malala fighting for education, and survival.

This book points out that while educating boys is equally as important as educating girls, there are many places where girls face discrimation simply because they are girls.

We are reminded too that though Slavery is not legal anymore it continues to happen around the Globe. A sad statistics is that thirty three percent of all victims of slavery are children.

Rani was a victim of darkness when she was eight her parents sold her to a stranger at eight as a servant. When she was ten years old she was sold again, this time she was forced to work as a prostitute for five long years.

Wendjie lives in Haiti, and is an only child, in 2010 she lost both of her parents in an earthquake. In Haiti some children are given to work with other people as unpaid servants.

In Southwestern Nepal where the Tharp people live girls and sometimes boys are often forced into bonded labor.

In some parts of the world Child Marriage is a real issue. In Afghanistan, Egypt and Kenya, and Ethiopia girls are often forced into marriage.

We are reminded too that in over fifty countries free education does not exist, and that in some places girls can be targeted for violence simply for going to school. Poverty is also an issue for many girls.

I give Girl Rising Five out of five stars.

Happy Reading.