Love Is a Revolution

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1. At the end of Love Is a Revolution, Nala admits that she feels like she doesn’t know herself anymore, but that she’s working to figure it out. Remind students that who they are is just as important as the things they do and help them get to know themselves and each other when they create an identity map.
2. Ask students to draw a circle in the center of a large sheet of paper. Have them write their name in the circle along with the behaviors, interests, values, talents, and skills that make them unique and best describe how they see themselves. Next, have students draw a ring around the first circle. Inside that ring, they should list the roles and affiliations they have chosen for themselves.
3. Students should add one final outer ring with words that describe roles and attributes they have, but are not ones they chose, such as age, physical characteristics, place of birth, etc. In this ring, students can also add words that family or friends might use to describe them.
4. In any or all circles, students can include family members, mentors, friends, teachers, musicians, authors, actors, characters, heroes, etc., who affected their identity. Students should feel free to add color, illustrations, or photos or add hearts to show what they love about themselves. Hang all the maps on a wall and let students explore, discover, and discuss commonalities.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

1. Why is Nala not interested in joining Inspire Harlem? What is she passionate about? What are you passionate about? Do you do work for those causes?
2. Have you ever joined something just because all your friends did? Have you ever pretended to be something you're not to win someone's love or approval?
3. How do you define love? How can love be a personal revolution?
4. Does Nala love herself? Do you love yourself? How do you fall in love with yourself? What are some ways you show yourself love?

Related Resources

• Love Is A Revolution Coloring Book
• Great Joy and Self-Love: Renée Watson on “Love Is a Revolution” from School Library Journal
• Renée Watson and Elizabeth Acevedo Discuss Love is a Revolution
• Identity Charts from Facing History & Ourselves