How are you participating in this historic day? One great way for youth to engage is by reading books with themes around democracy or activism. Here are a few we recommend as entry points into the political process.
Constitution Illustrated, by Robert Sikoryak
This book by Robert Sikoryak gives a pop culture take on the constitution, including characters from Homer Simpson to Spiderman. It lays out the different sections of the constitution with different characters to make the material more recognizable.
Unrig: How to Fix our Broken Democracy, by Daniel G. Newman with art by George O'Connor
Illustrated in a similar style to a Marvel comic book, this book as an introduction to activism for young readers. I chose this selection because I believe it is important for them to understand that in a democracy they get to choose who their officials are. As well, this is an empowering book to guide readers to an understanding of how to protest, letting them know that it is okay to fight for a matter you believe is for the greater good.
Drawing the Vote: An Illustrated Guide to Voting in America, by Tommy Jenkins, illus. by Kati Lacker
This comic allows the reader to get an in-depth view of what the election process is like in the United States. This book allows the reader to get an understanding of what the Electoral College is, how it works, and how that makes us different compared to other countries around the world. Also, the books give the reader the feeling of reading a Garfield comic strip filled with humor and whimsy. Easy to follow and straightforward a great choice for a young reader.
March by John Lewis (Author), Andrew Aydin (Author), Nate Powell (Illustrator)
This book is about the late John Lewis discussing his time as an activist, advocate, and the impact he had on the world. He was known for his march on the Edmen Petus Bridge where he encountered mistreatment at the hands of the police. This book is drawn the way Mr. Lewis's career unfolded, hard lines representing the turmoil that he had to endure in the earlier years moving into the soft lines to present progression since then but the dark color scheme reminds you that there is work still to be done. The book is an effective lesson in activism and provides the reader with an inspiring message about courage and perseverance.
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy (Author), Elizabeth Baddeley (Illustrator)
A book about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her incredible career. It discusses her upbringing in New York, to becoming only the second woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court. She inspired generations of people to fight for what they believe in. She was a person who throughout her entire life fought for what was fair and just, a warrior for civil rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration rights. She is one of our true American heroes.
