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Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote
CCBC Review:
When the United States was formed, it was a democracy in name but not practice; the right to vote was limited in every state, primarily to white male landowners. Today, the right to vote has vastly expanded but is not universal for all citizens, while threats to voting rights remain. This informative, honest account looks at the history of voting and voting rights in the United States, focusing on the fight among various groups to gain the right to vote, including African Americans, women, immigrant communities, and American Indians. Sometimes these efforts have been aligned, and sometimes they have been at odds with one another. With each gain, there has been pushback—efforts to limit people’s ability to exercise their right to vote, from literacy tests and threats of violence to more recent laws that make voting harder. Across it all, “people power” has made the difference—courageous individuals who have spoken and acted to expand and protect the right to participate in our democracy through voting. An account that examines these important historical and contemporary events concludes with rich end matter, including “People-Power Ideas,” ideas for making our elections more democratic, suggestions for getting involved, and a voting rights timeline, as well as source notes and an index. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 13 and older
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
Activism and Resistance
Democracy
Discrimination and Prejudice
Judicial System
Politics and Political Systems
Voting Rights/Elections
Diversity subject:
Multicultural General
Publisher:
Little, Brown
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 240
ISBN: 9780759557062
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 323 Dyson