Watching Sarah Rise

2025 BookFest Book Awards First Place Winner in Nonfiction – Memoirs – Personal
2025 BookFest Book Awards First Place Winner in Nonfiction – Parenting
2025 CIPA EVVY Book Awards Silver Medalist in Motivational/Inspriational
2025 CIPA EVVY Book Awards Silver Medalist in Parenting & Family
2025 Readers' Favorite Book Award Silver Medalist in Nonfiction – Parenting
2025 Living Now Book Awards Gold Medalist in Family/Parenting
2025 Firebird Book Award First Place in Special Needs
2025 Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner

“Briggs writes movingly and with grace about the emotions parents of children with special needs face before marshaling their strength and actively advocating for their children and their future... [her] journey transforms her daughter’s future, and her candor and insight will resonate with parents facing similar challenges.”—BookLife

“I was moved from the very first pages. There’s a raw, grounding honesty in the way Briggs writes. She never pretends to have it all figured out. She’s vulnerable, tired, sometimes angry, sometimes thrilled, and always full of love. The writing doesn’t hide behind big words or try to be poetic; it’s just real.”—Literary Titan, 5-star review

“I loved how Briggs looks at Sarah, not as someone physically limited, but as someone with possibilities. . . . [Watching Sarah Rise] is written in a compelling and compassionate voice and offers uplifting messages.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review

“With wit, warmth, and a bit of whimsy, Briggs guides readers through the highs and lows of her family’s journey, building a community of care and creative play around one little girl who ‘takes a village’ along with her as she grows.”—Dr. Elizabeth Fein, author of Living on the Spectrum: Autism and Youth in Community

“A beautiful authentic story of love, acceptance, community, and hope. Loaded with insight, and delight. If you are a parent of a child or adult with special needs, I hope this book finds you. If you are an educator this book will be invaluable to your work.”—Kate C. Wilde, author of Autistic Logistics, The Autism Language Launcher and Autism Abracadabra.

“Watching Sarah Rise is equally informative as it is inspirational, gracious as it is gutsy.  A beautifully written story filled with hope, integrity, and pure emotion, Briggs intimately invites her reader to experience the unique heartbreak and joy that comes with mothering a neurodivergent child. I was deeply moved by Briggs’ determination to create a life where her daughter, and all children with special needs, feel empowered and thrive in this often challenging world.”—Sherry Sidoti, author of A Smoke and a Song: A Memoir