Books About Voting
Election season is upon us, and kids can have a lot of questions about how it all works! These books about voting – including picture books, a middle grade novel, and a graphic novel – not only teach kids about the electoral process but also why it is so important. They emphasize why it is so important to exercise your right to vote and the sacrifices made to ensure the right to vote for future generations.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. I received complimentary copies of some of the books below for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own.
Books About Voting
Help kids understand the importance of making their voices heard with these books about voting and elections!
This heartfelt picture book reminds children about the long struggle of Blacks to win the right to vote. Based on the author’s own memories, it shows children’s excitement as their mother goes to vote for the first time. Their mother shares with them why this day is so important, and they experience the effervescent atmosphere at the polls, just like being at church. The story concludes as they all sit in their mother’s living room in 2008, watching the news as it is announced that Barack Obama has won the presidency. A beautiful book that connects past to the future we can dream of today and make happen together. Watch my interview with the author and illustrator!
Buy The Day Madear Voted on Amazon or Bookshop
Get inspired to get out the vote with this powerful story about a grandmother and her community. Every election day, Granny takes a walk through her neighborhood. She takes her granddaughter with her, stopping at every house and business, encouraging others to join her. Soon the trickle of people turns into a flood, all flowing into the polling station. Granny teaches her granddaughter that they are voting for hope, voting to make their voices heard, even when others want them to be silent. A wonderful way to show how our individual actions have the potential to connect to those in our community, inspiring everyone to speak out and make a difference.
Buy The Walk on Amazon or Bookshop
Sofia and her abuelo are always helping others, making their neighborhood a better place, until an accident at a local landfill leaves abuelo with a broken ankle. Sofia marches to city hall to ask to turn the dump into a park, but time and again no one pays her any attention because she is just a kid. Luckily Sofia doesn’t let them discourage her. She keeps telling her story and advocating for what she knows is right, until finally the adults are forced to listen. A great story about how kids can get involved and make a difference. Sharp-eyed readers will recognize other characters from this beloved series, as well as a statute to Ida B. Wells.
Buy Sofia Valdez, Future Prez on Amazon or Bookshop
Did you know that Hillary Clinton wasn’t the first woman to run for US president? This is the incredible true story of Belva Lockwood, the first woman to practice law in federal courts and the first to argue before the US Supreme Court, at a time when most women couldn’t even attend law school. (When she completed her coursework at law school, the school tried to deny her a diploma, but Belva wrote directly to the US president to demand that it be given to her! And it was). In 1884, Belva became the first woman to officially run for US president, even though women could not even vote at the time. An inspiring story about audacity and determination in the face of incredible opposition and challenges.
Buy Ballots for Belva on Amazon or Bookshop
Maddie was never interested in politics – she just wants to create art! But when funding for the arts is threatened by the new candidate for mayor, Maddie is spurred into action. But what can a kid do? She soon finds out that kids can do quite a lot to mobilize voters and support candidates, including a new candidate for mayor who listens to kids’ concerns! This middle grade novel is an empowering read for any kid who has ever felt that adults need to do a better job of listening to young people. It is also a fun way to learn the ins and outs of elections and how kids can get involved.
Buy The Campaign on Amazon or Bookshop
This engaging graphic novel is a great read for older kids, helping them understand the long history of the fight for voting rights. It takes readers from 1776 right up until 2021, including January 6, and the continuing battle over voting rights. I love that the author includes personal notes about his own background and his observations from his work with students. He also centers the history of white supremacy and the struggle for racial justice at the heart of the story, not just in the 1960s but throughout this centuries long history. An insightful, sensitively told story to help young readers understand the context in which this election takes place and why their voices are so important.
Buy Drawing the Vote on Amazon or Bookshop
What are your favorite books about voting?
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