Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I absolutely love this book! I could relate to both main characters (especially Marva), and I loved how the importance of activism was woven throughout the book. It had the right amounts of humor, politics, romance, and all that fits in between. Highly recommend :)
Great story about a female teen who is so excited to vote for the first time and has been canvassing and working hard to support her candidate. When she sees a male teen getting turned away, she tries to help him, leading the two of them on a full day adventure to get him his vote.
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.
Duke and Marva are both voting in their first Presidential election, and, well... things aren't going too well for Duke. Told over the course of a single day (November 3, 2020) Duke and Marva experience a series of incidents both coincidentally unfortunate and linked to problems that occur in America re: voter suppression.
The Voting Booth was cute and timely, and a good YA-level look at preparing to vote for the first time. I am fully aware that I'm more than twice the age of the target audience here. I'd recommend this to young adult readers, but might not have picked it up as an adult if it wasn't so timely.
Things I loved:
Getting to experience a COVID-19 free alternate reality of election day 2020.
Positive depiction of therapy: Duke not only speaks positively about his experiences with therapy, but also actively utilizes skills he learned in therapy and normalizes the experience of seeking/accessing mental health services. It's a big deal to have representation of Black boys and men accessing (helpful) mental health services in literature/media, and I'm so thankful that [a:Brandy Colbert|5425858|Brandy Colbert|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1460072306p2/5425858.jpg] included this.
Exploration of racism and classism inherent in voter suppression techniques, and in the community at large.
Emphasis on the importance of voting.
If you haven't done so already, please take something from Marva and Duke, and show up to vote tomorrow.
CW: Racism, Voter Suppression, Police, Grief/Loss, Gun violence (mentioned, not depicted)
Duke and Marva are both voting in their first Presidential election, and, well... things aren't going too well for Duke. Told over the course of a single day (November 3, 2020) Duke and Marva experience a series of incidents both coincidentally unfortunate and linked to problems that occur in America re: voter suppression.
The Voting Booth was cute and timely, and a good YA-level look at preparing to vote for the first time. I am fully aware that I'm more than twice the age of the target audience here. I'd recommend this to young adult readers, but might not have picked it up as an adult if it wasn't so timely.
Things I loved:
Getting to experience a COVID-19 free alternate reality of election day 2020.
Positive depiction of therapy: Duke not only speaks positively about his experiences with therapy, but also actively utilizes skills he learned in therapy and normalizes the experience of seeking/accessing mental health services. It's a big deal to have representation of Black boys and men accessing (helpful) mental health services in literature/media, and I'm so thankful that [a:Brandy Colbert|5425858|Brandy Colbert|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1460072306p2/5425858.jpg] included this.
Exploration of racism and classism inherent in voter suppression techniques, and in the community at large.
Emphasis on the importance of voting.
If you haven't done so already, please take something from Marva and Duke, and show up to vote tomorrow.
CW: Racism, Voter Suppression, Police, Grief/Loss, Gun violence (mentioned, not depicted)
A quick, cute, easy read that touches on an impressively large number of topics that are highly relevant and important right now.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
When I read the synopsis, I wondered how the author was going to pack all those plot points into a slim book - but yes she did and it was amazing! I read this delightful YA novel in basically one sitting.
Review copy: Digital ARC via publisher
I reviewed this at Rich in Color - http://richincolor.com/2020/06/review-the-voting-booth/
I reviewed this at Rich in Color - http://richincolor.com/2020/06/review-the-voting-booth/
This is a terrific book for young adults to read to learn the importance of voting. This felt a little younger than I am used to for the age the MCs are but there are so many important lessons in this book and an entertaining story.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Marva Sheridan is pushy about it, but she firmly believes that people should exercise their right to vote. She successfully casts her first-ever ballot on the morning of a big election and is about to head to her fancy high school when she meets Duke Crenshaw, a cute guy who is voting more out of a sense of obligation than an eagerness to exact change. When Duke realizes he's at the wrong polling place, Marva does something out of character-- she decides she'll skip school and drive Duke to where he needs to be. And so begins the romance of Marva and Duke and a day-long quest for Duke to exercise his right to vote.
Marva and Duke are compatible, and I thought it was really neat that the story took place over the course of one day, but this story didn't have enough originality for me to really enjoy it. I didn't feel like the characters were especially memorable though I did appreciate the tie-in to elections and their importance.
The audio recording is good; the story just lacks. . . something.
Marva and Duke are compatible, and I thought it was really neat that the story took place over the course of one day, but this story didn't have enough originality for me to really enjoy it. I didn't feel like the characters were especially memorable though I did appreciate the tie-in to elections and their importance.
The audio recording is good; the story just lacks. . . something.
I don't like the narrator so I won't be continuing this one
This book takes place in just one day but it covers a lot of important topics.