YOUR VOTE MATTERS

A succinct, snappy look at U.S. presidents, their duties, and voters’ crucial responsibilities in electing them.

Packed with facts, this primer is notable for its clear, coherent font choice and its colorful, clean images that make it stand out among similar titles. Small callout boxes along the way clarify points for anyone newer to the ins and outs of American government, while persuasive, age-appropriate writing effectively makes clear why the book’s contents are so significant. Katzman also lays out the differences between the Democrat and Republican Parties (and looks at several independent parties), explores primaries and caucuses, and discusses campaigning. The book also doesn’t have a recency bias, since the author includes facts about a variety of presidents, such as George Washington and William Henry Harrison (who gave the longest inauguration speech in history and was the first president to die while in office). This history is balanced well with more recent leaders, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump, which will resonate with young people hearing and reading the news today. Children reading quickly might be tripped up by a slightly confusing timeline, but the text’s exploration of fairness in politics, including well-written and thorough explanations of gerrymandering and voter suppression, makes this a highly recommended addition.

An accurate, necessary read for young voters-in-training.