It's almost election day and now is the perfect time to talk about voting. This list of five nonfiction and fiction books is perfect for teen and young adult readers who want to learn more about their civic duties and the history of elections in the US.
Everyone has a voice and a right to speak but many young people struggle to know how and when they should do this. Every Vote Matters takes a look at elections, amendments and free speech in the US. The authors use past events and court cases to demonstrate their points and offer an impartial viewpoint. This book does a fantastic job of explaining the reason we should vote and how just one vote can make all the difference. Every Vote Matters is great for teens 13 and up.
Voting in the US has a dark past where many citizens were denied the right based upon their gender or race. Many teens know this but many do not realize how hard these denied groups fought for their legal right to vote. Votes for Women! is a wonderful nonfiction book that tells the history of American Suffrage. Women did not receive the right to vote for nearly 150 years and it was not until women activist took to the streets to protest such an inequality did this become a reality. The book does a great job of interconnecting the temperance and abolition campaigns and the difficult relations the groups had with one another. The book is somewhat dense and would be best for teens who are strong readers.
Votes of Confidence is a wonderful book that illustrates the importance of civic duty while keeping things fun and interesting. This book includes fun tidbits of interesting facts along with a wealth of valuable information about voting and elections as a whole. I would Votes of Confidence for ages 11 and up.
One Person, No Vote is a special YA adaption of the original book of the same title. The author explores the astonishing history of voter suppression with a focus on the rollback of voting rights after the election of Barack Obama. This book is targeted towards teens ages 12 and up who already have a firm grasp on the vocabulary used in politics and elections.
Marva Sheridan has worked hard going door to door to encourage people to register to vote and make a difference in their country. On election day, when she sees Duke Crenshaw get turned away, Marva steps up to challenge and helps him find a place where he can practice his civic right. This fictional novel helps demonstrate the need to correct a flawed system and how just one person can make that change. The Voting Booth is on the reading level of teens ages 12 and up but does contain some profanity.
~Abigail