Riley

Riley was a student at Ballou Senior High School when she wrote her books. She likes to do artistic things, travel, and listen to music. She wrote Man Up because toxic masculinity is a topic that isn’t talked about, but is a major problem in our society. She hopes readers understand that gender is a social construct — you can be whoever you want to be. She wrote Diarou’s Not So Different because everyone deserves to be heard, and there’s a place for everyone in the world everywhere!

Books by Riley

Bright Before Us, Like a Flame: Igniting a New Generation of Writers

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Bright Before Us, Like a Flame: Igniting a New Generation of Writers

$21.99 $24.99

Foreword by Elizabeth Acevedo. Edited by Sasa Aakil and Kathy Crutcher.

by the Young Writers of Shout Mouse Press

For ten years, Shout Mouse Press has championed the voices of young writers, publishing their authentic and necessary stories. Now, this landmark anthology of youth writing celebrates a decade of storytelling—and invites readers to pick up their pens and write the path ahead.

Spanning memoir, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, Bright Before Us, Like a Flame is more than a retrospective—it’s a creative writing resource and a call to action. Taking its title from Langston Hughes’ poem “Youth,” this collection ignites both hope for the future and the power to shape it. Through stories of immigration, identity, social justice, and resilience, young authors confront today’s most urgent topics with insight and empathy. Their words challenge, inspire, and invite readers to add their own voices to the conversation.

What’s Inside:

✅ A diverse collection of youth-authored memoirs, poetry, fiction, comics, and children’s literature, featuring underrepresented voices.
✅ Creative writing prompts and behind-the-scenes insights to inspire students and emerging writers to tell their own stories.
✅ Intergenerational conversations with award-winning guest authors, exploring the role of storytelling in social change.
✅ Discussion questions for middle and high school classrooms, book clubs, and creative writing workshops.

At a time of uncertainty and urgent global challenges, these young authors remind us: Words have power. Stories create change. And the future is yours to write.

Perfect for:

📖 Aspiring young writers looking for inspiration, mentorship, and creative guidance.
🎓 Educators and librarians seeking an engaging, diverse, and inclusive classroom writing resource for middle and high school students.
🎁 Readers who believe in the power of storytelling to spark dialogue and transform communities.

ISBN: 978-1-950807-82-6
Age: 12+
Page Count: 304

Diarou's Not So Different

$11.99

by Diarou, Riley, and Anthony of Reach Incorporated

Anthony, Diarou, and Riley wanted to write a story, inspired by co-author Diarou, about immigrating to the U.S. and forging friendships despite differences in language. Diarou is starting her first week in a new school, in a new country, speaking a new language... and she feels completely alone. She moved to the U.S. from Guinea over the summer and is determined to make friends, but with her limited English, she's having trouble communicating with her classmates. Just when she thinks she might be on her own, she meets another new student who’s struggling too. Can Diarou find a way to connect across language barriers to make a true friend?

ISBN: 978-1-950807-11-6
Age: 4-9
Lexile: 530L
Page Count: 36
Published: Fall 2020

Man Up!

$11.99

by London, Riley, and Shirelle of Reach Incorporated

Aaron is outgoing and funny and a whiz at kickball. He’s also compassionate and kind, reading books at the old folks home down H street. Basically, he’s pretty great. But he’s got a problem: everyone calls him a Crybaby.

When his friends cheat at Forknife, he cries out of anger.
When he sees his friend Tayshawn hurt a neighborhood dog, he cries out of empathy.
And when misses his oldest brother, Sage, who’s away at college, he cries out of loneliness.
His dad, his friends, and his classmates tell him to “Leave that crying for the girls.”
How can Aaron learn to value his feelings and nurture his sensitivity in a world telling him to “Man up”?

Want all four titles from this year’s amazing Reach Incorporated authors? Buy the set!

Man Up! is included in the DC Kids Book Gift Set!