Thank You for Voting Young Readers' Edition: The Past, Present, and Future of Voting

by Erin Geiger Smith

Overview

A fascinating look into America’s voting history that will inspire young people to get involved!

This young readers’ edition of Thank You for Voting, from debut author and journalist Erin Geiger Smith, presents its information in clear, interesting chapters. Broken into three sections—The Stories of How We Got the Vote, Know Before You Vote, and How to Get People to Vote—this is a book that will appeal to kids 8 to 13 who are politically engaged. But it will also help a middle grader who is more focused on just finding good resources for history and social studies reports.

Voting is a privilege and a right, but it hasn’t always been for many people. From the founding fathers to Jim Crow to women’s suffrage to gerrymandering—and everything in between—readers will get a look at the complex history of voting and become empowered to ask BIG questions like:

—What can I do to support my favorite leader?

—Who can I talk to about the issues I believe in?

—How can I make a difference in my community?

Every citizen has the right to vote. Let each one count!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062972408
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	239
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Erin Geiger Smith is a journalist who has written for the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times among other leading publications, and has worked at Reuters covering legal news. She graduated from Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism, the University of Texas School of Law, and the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in New York City with her husband and son. 

Table of Contents

Note to the Reader 1

Part 1 The Stories of How We Got the Vote

Chapter 1 Struggling for Voting Equality 13

Chapter 2 African Americans and the Vote 18

Chapter 3 Native Americans and the Vote 32

Chapter 4 Immigrants and the Vote 36

Chapter 5 Eighteen-Year-Olds and the Vote 40

Chapter 6 Suffering for Women's Suffrage 43

Chapter 7 Voting Problems and Voting Solutions 66

Chapter 8 Voter Suppression and Fighting Against It 74

Chapter 9 The Present and Future of Voting 83

Part 1 Know Before You Vote

Chapter 10 What Is Gerrymandering? 93

Chapter 11 The News: Your Superpower 108

Chapter 12 Understanding Polling 129

Chapter 13 What Is the Electoral College? 141

Part 3 How to Get People to Vote

Chapter 14 Young People and Voting 161

Chapter 15 Speaking Your Language 168

Chapter 16 Making Voting Personal 182

Chapter 17 Studying Voters: What Gets Them to the Polls? 190

Chapter 18 "I Am a Voter" 195

Epilogue 203

Thank You for Voting: Tell Your Friends 213

For More Information 214

Acknowledgments 215

Source Notes 217

Editorial Reviews

10/02/2020

Gr 5–8—This guide to America's voting history is divided into three parts: "The Stories of How We Got the Vote," "Know Before You Vote," and "How to Get People to Vote." The first part details the history of voting in the United States and the struggles everyone—except for property-owning, white men—have endured in procuring the right to vote. These chapters are dry and uninspiring. The second part explains the importance of voting and discusses topics such as polling and the role of the press in politics and voting. The language is at a middle-grade reader's level. The chapter focusing on the Electoral College is a standout. The final section could engage younger readers when the text examines the "influencers" behind voting and their methods to encourage voting. Chapters like "Young People and Voting" and "Studying Voters: What Gets Them to the Polls?" will speak to readers who already feel a calling to student government. Older middle-grade students who have clear memories of the 2016 election may reflect on their personal experiences and feelings. This could be valuable when applied to ethics or civics lessons. Students could study the 2020 election and voting awareness campaigns, which could lead to discussions on the success or failure of those coordinated efforts. VERDICT This title may not be at the top of your circulation reports, but it will serve a purpose when needed.—Kim Gardner, Fort Worth Country Day Sch., TX

School Library Journal