Book Type: Elementary

Elementary, Middle School

Your Vote Matters: How We Elect the U.S. President – Rebecca Katzman

Overview

An engaging, kid-friendly guide that walks readers through the entire presidential election process—from primaries and debates to the Electoral College—while explaining why participation matters.

Good For

Middle School readers learning how elections work and why voting is important.

About the Author

Rebecca Katzman loves writing things for kids. She’s worked as a writer and editor at TIME for Kids and The New York Times Upfront at Scholastic and has written stories for The New York Times, TIME Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, and more. Ellen Duda is an illustrator and book designer who has worked in children’s publishing for the last ten years. Her artwork has been used by newspapers, magazines, nonprofits, and software companies.

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Elementary, Middle School

We the People: The United States Constitution Explored and Explained – Aura Lewis & Evan Sargent

Overview

A visually rich and accessible guide that explains the Constitution in plain language while exploring its history, challenges, and continued relevance.

Good For

Middle School readers beginning formal study of civics and constitutional government.

About the Author

Aura Lewis is an author–illustrator with an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She is inspired by fashion and culture from all over the world, playful color, vintage ephemera, and social activism. Aura’s books include Gloria’s Voice, The Illustrated Feminist, and We The People. Evan Sargent is an intuitive creative director, strategist, and designer with a knack for seeing the big picture. Her background includes over a decade as an art director and creative director in advertising—more recently, she has become a political activist and community organizer. We The People is her first children’s book.

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Elementary, Middle School

When You Grow Up to Vote: How Our Government Works for You – Eleanor Roosevelt

Overview

Written in the voice of Eleanor Roosevelt, this clear and encouraging guide explains how government works—from local services to national leadership—and why citizens’ voices matter.

Good For

Late Elementary readers and families introducing the basics of government and citizenship.

About the Author

Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She also served as First Lady of New York, on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and on the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women.

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Elementary, Middle School

Those Rebels John and Tom – Barbara Kerley 

Overview

An engaging and often witty portrait of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson that shows how disagreement, collaboration, and mutual respect helped shape the American founding.

Good For

Late Elementary readers interested in the Revolutionary era and parents discussing cooperation across differences.

About the Author

Barbara Kerley’s award-winning biographies include What to Do About Alice?, The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy), and Those Rebels, John & Tom, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, and The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins and Walt Whitman: Words for America, both illustrated by Brian Selznick. Her books are consistently praised for their lively prose, meticulous research, and artistic presentation style.

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Elementary, Middle School

Lillian’s Right to Vote – Jonah Winter

Overview

A powerful and poetic story following a 100-year-old woman’s walk to the polling place, while tracing generations of struggle that made her vote possible.

Good For

Late Elementary readers and families ready to talk about voting, perseverance, and civic participation.

About the Author

Jonah Winter is the award-winning author of more than forty nonfiction picture books that promote environmental awareness and social and racial justice. Among them are Here Comes the Garbage Barge!; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of R.B.G. vs. Inequality; My Name is James Madison Hemings; Barack; The Founding Fathers!; and Lillian’s Right to Vote, a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award recipient and Kirkus Prize finalist.

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