Amanda Gorman captivated the world when she stood before millions at President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, delivering her powerful poem The Hill We Climb.
Now, four years later, the youngest-ever inaugural poet is reaching a new generation—this time, with a children’s book designed to inspire and uplift young readers.
Her latest work, Girls on the Rise, is a 32-page picture book featuring an original poem celebrating the strength of girls, especially when they come together. Illustrated by Loveis Wise, the book underscores the importance of community and allyship—values Gorman holds close.
“It’s about what it means to be a young person in a generation that is going to, and is currently changing the world,” Gorman said in an interview with Meet the Press.
A Voice for the Next Generation
At just 26, Gorman is no stranger to literary excellence. She was already a published poet by 17, and in 2017, she made history as the first National Youth Poet Laureate.
However, it was her moving inaugural poem, written in the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, that catapulted her to global recognition.
“I finished it on the night of Jan. 6, and it was important for me to process my own emotions and thoughts as an American watching that violence against our democracy,” she shared in an interview with NBC News.
She has since published additional works, co-hosted the Met Gala, and used her platform to advocate for literacy, equity, and representation in literature.
Fighting for Representation in Literature
Despite her success, Gorman has not been immune to the growing wave of book bans across the U.S. In 2023, The Hill We Climb was restricted in a Florida school after a parent’s complaint. For Gorman, it was a painful reminder of the broader struggle against censorship.
“It was a bit like a gut punch,” she admitted, explaining that many banned books feature marginalized voices—stories of people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and other underrepresented groups.
She added:
“When a child can’t see themselves represented in a story, they can’t dream of their own life, to actualize their own hopes.”
Through Girls on the Rise, Gorman is ensuring that young readers, especially girls, see themselves in literature.
A Future Beyond the Page
Gorman has hinted that her journey may one day lead her to the highest office in the land. She has previously expressed interest in running for president in 2036—a goal that seems fitting for a woman whose words have already shaped the national conversation.
“I hope my mark is being a wordsmith and a change maker who speaks in a language that allows our country to return to love, legacy, and connection,” she said.
For now, her words continue to empower and inspire—one poem, one book, and one young reader at a time.
