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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
“Change takes time. And patience. And a willingness to listen to people we may not understand.”
My Opinion: I loved the representation in this book with the main characters being BIPOC, the talk of interracial relationships and the importance of voting. I am Marva in so many ways, I've been working so hard to get everybody I know to register to vote. This book talks about how the voting system is broken with voter suppression and how hard it is to vote. This book was a bit bland at points, the romance was very instalove but not too romantic but, I get it since it's a Disney published book that is more middle-grade. The author added in a plot about a lost cat which was very cute but, I felt like she squeezed so much small drama into a small book.
It's a great book to read about voting with romance and family elements especially considering we are so close to an important election. Register to vote friends!! :)
My Opinion: I loved the representation in this book with the main characters being BIPOC, the talk of interracial relationships and the importance of voting. I am Marva in so many ways, I've been working so hard to get everybody I know to register to vote. This book talks about how the voting system is broken with voter suppression and how hard it is to vote. This book was a bit bland at points, the romance was very instalove but not too romantic but, I get it since it's a Disney published book that is more middle-grade. The author added in a plot about a lost cat which was very cute but, I felt like she squeezed so much small drama into a small book.
It's a great book to read about voting with romance and family elements especially considering we are so close to an important election. Register to vote friends!! :)
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read this one during Election Week because I knew I wouldn’t have much mental capacity to focus on anything more complex. I do enjoy reading seasonally, and this was a good, timely read for election season.
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This book focuses on the importance of young people voting. As someone very interested in and knowledgeable about politics, the female main character, Marva, tries to persuade (and help) everyone she meets get out and vote. Her various encounters bring about discussions of why people may choose not to vote. This book also highlights issues of privilege and voter suppression that many people may overlook.
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Other storylines in this book include themes of grief and identity. The missing cat storyline felt boring and irrelevant, but overall I enjoyed the Election Day commentary and the energy around young voters casting votes for candidates and policies in hopes of a better future.
•
This is a great read if you’re looking for something light, cute, and fun during a future election season.
•
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
•
This book focuses on the importance of young people voting. As someone very interested in and knowledgeable about politics, the female main character, Marva, tries to persuade (and help) everyone she meets get out and vote. Her various encounters bring about discussions of why people may choose not to vote. This book also highlights issues of privilege and voter suppression that many people may overlook.
•
Other storylines in this book include themes of grief and identity. The missing cat storyline felt boring and irrelevant, but overall I enjoyed the Election Day commentary and the energy around young voters casting votes for candidates and policies in hopes of a better future.
•
This is a great read if you’re looking for something light, cute, and fun during a future election season.
•
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a cute YA novel that touched on the importance of going out and voting, as well as helping to make sure that everyone can cast their vote. The book discusses issues such as community wellbeing/gang violence, the right to protest, and voter suppression in a way that’s very easy to read. I could see this being a great book to introduce a teen into political activism. It reminds you that no matter how small that you may think yourself to be, you can make a difference. Of course, Marva and Duke being absolutely adorable is great too! Their characters are deeply complex and so enjoyable to read and get to know.
Much suspension of disbelief has to occur for one to finish this book. The plot is just pretty much centered on cramming in all of the race-related political and social problems that could happen to keep the two in that car talking to each other. Insta love to the max. But the messages about voting, race, and other issues mentioned were on the correct side and well-intentioned, so good for them.
Marva was born to vote. She was born to be a change maker. Since birth, she's been driven to make a difference in the world and at the age of 18, she knows that this starts with her voting in her first election. When Marva goes to vote for the first time she meets Duke. Duke for reasons of his own also knows how important it is to vote. Going to vote for the first time he is turned away from the polls told that isn't polling place. Marva overhears this and makes it her mission to help Duke vote.
Throughout a day that reminded me a lot of a much more mature version of Ferris Buller's Day off Marva and Duke embark on an adventure to get Duke to vote. From one polling place to another dodging parental question and sharing more of themselves at each stop you will fall in love with Marva, Duke, and Marva's cat Selma. Marva and Duke are determined through their shared passion for democracy to beat a rigged voting system all while finding a cat, building a friendship, and making sure they make it to Duke's gig on time.
Another incredible Brandy Colbert book.
Throughout a day that reminded me a lot of a much more mature version of Ferris Buller's Day off Marva and Duke embark on an adventure to get Duke to vote. From one polling place to another dodging parental question and sharing more of themselves at each stop you will fall in love with Marva, Duke, and Marva's cat Selma. Marva and Duke are determined through their shared passion for democracy to beat a rigged voting system all while finding a cat, building a friendship, and making sure they make it to Duke's gig on time.
Another incredible Brandy Colbert book.
Great read! Relatable characters dealing with life experiences. A must read!
This is a good book. It's didactic at times (rather strongly at times, especially [and to some extent necessarily, given her characterization] from Marva, with respect to voting), but sometimes ya gotta be. It's also really important in this day and age. A book that is enjoyable but also manages to, fairly organically, impart a lesson gets a thumbs up from me!
Marva and Duke are both great characters. They have clear reasons for being who (and how) they are. Marva has a penchant for saying very important things in a sometimes overly direct way, in a way that made me uncomfortable, but that's a good thing. I really do think this book makes you think (while also being a good romance!). It touches on systemic racism, voter suppression, performative white ally-ship. And it hits well, in my opinion. As a person studying political science, some of the mechanics aren't quite as simple as they are presented (for example, being upset at the two-party system is valid, in a way, although Alec is an asshole, and that's no reason to not vote because down-ballot races are so important and the hold of parties on candidates is looser).
I thought their relationship built organically (although)
Marva and Duke are both great characters. They have clear reasons for being who (and how) they are. Marva has a penchant for saying very important things in a sometimes overly direct way, in a way that made me uncomfortable, but that's a good thing. I really do think this book makes you think (while also being a good romance!). It touches on systemic racism, voter suppression, performative white ally-ship. And it hits well, in my opinion. As a person studying political science, some of the mechanics aren't quite as simple as they are presented (for example, being upset at the two-party system is valid, in a way, although Alec is an asshole, and that's no reason to not vote because down-ballot races are so important and the hold of parties on candidates is looser).
I thought their relationship built organically (although
Spoiler
I would say it's pretty believable for someone (not me, that's for certain!) to be at the make-out stage after the day they had together. But at the same time, it feels forced into the "everything happens in a day" structure. I dug the build up, just the final execution happened a bit too quickly for my tastes, basically. I did like the fact that it wasn't insta-love (it's not like they are declaring their love for one another by the end of the book, I mean).
4.5 (rounded up to 5 stars because this was great.) | I haven't read a lot of books that take place over the course of one day, and I see how that trope can cause issues for some people (especially when there's romance b-plot). But it didn't bother me at all in this one.
I really loved the characters... especially our super-passionate female protagonist, Marva. I also appreciated how this book touched on so many topics--everything from voting rights, to white privilege, to gun violence and police brutality, to grief & the loss of a loved one. This book managed to be informative and honest, while still containing enough lighthearted moments that it created a really enjoyable read.
-Elliana Maselli
Wednesday, 9 of February 2022
8:44PM
I really loved the characters... especially our super-passionate female protagonist, Marva. I also appreciated how this book touched on so many topics--everything from voting rights, to white privilege, to gun violence and police brutality, to grief & the loss of a loved one. This book managed to be informative and honest, while still containing enough lighthearted moments that it created a really enjoyable read.
-Elliana Maselli
Wednesday, 9 of February 2022
8:44PM