Full disclosure, I am normally a middle grade kinda girl, the blurb for this book sucked me in. I had to read it. Marva Sheridan spoke to my inner social justice warrior. What is more exciting than getting to vote for the very first time in your life?

Marva spent two years working toward registering voters, making voting plans and being sure she at the head of the line the moment polls opened. It was there she met Duke, who was being turned away from the polls because of a mix up with his registration. She offers to help Duke out and it results in a day neither one of them would soon forget.

This one hits all my buttons: strong female protagonist, relevant social commentary, and engaging young people in the election process. I love that Colbert flashes back in Marva and Duke's stories so we can see who we are more clearly than if we'd only been shown this one day.

#TheVotingBooth is the story 2020 needs.
5. The story chronicles the obstacles voters must face in order to have their voices heard from same-day registration, missing ballots, overcoming transportation and poll location awareness, and so much more. This is the cross-curricular story History and ELA classes need to be teaching this Fall.📚

4. There is a really cute political #catstagram side-plot.😸

3. The parents in this story are struggling with raising Black children and giving them the space to be free, activists, students, artists, etc. There is a conversation of kids wanting to choose their own education, private vs. public, and other modern parenting challenges, particularly for parents of Black youth. Although this is #YA the parents’ storyline is perfect for young adults coming to view their parents as people and for parents to read along with their kids.

2. I was recently discussing what it means to “let kids be kids” with @sophiaspeaks_ particularly when kids WANT to be politically active. The female lead, Marva lets the reader know that political engagement is what brings her joy. Her parents want her to let loose and “be a kid,” while she would rather register voters and spend time spreading political awareness via social media. Meanwhile, the male lead, Duke is struggling with the awareness of the consequences that come with having a high political profile and presence. Together, they learn how to balance their interests and the importance of speaking their truths and fighting for what they believe in.

1. I was just in the stories talking about #romance lacking depth and my favorite discussion in this novel is two young people discovering the power of #BlackLove for themselves through political activism and the need for you and your partner to be politically aligned. 😻 #LOVEtoSeeIt

This is a great read - I couldn't put it down and finished it in a couple of hours! I loved the political side of the book, which didn't dumb down the importance of voting, but also didn't let go of the obstacles often faced. Yet, it remained fluffy and adorable.

A timely book for the world we are currently loving in. This takes place in a single day; two young voters meet and the book is told from their alternating viewpoints. Lots of things fall into play: an election, romance, racial inequality, and voter suppression. It’s a fun read and a great way to show young people how important it is to vote this year (and every year).

Two young first time voters meet by chance while voting for the first time. It's a book that tackles a lot of important subjects - racism, gun violence, anxiety, important life choices - and teenage romance. It's sweet and timely.

The Voting Booth tells the story of Marva, a young African American teen, who is very interested in politics & is eagerly awaiting the day she can cast her first vote. She is upset because her boyfriend has decided not to vote. This doesn't deter Marva because she knows the political stakes are high, so she heads to the voting booth. After casting the ballot, Marva meets Duke, who is also in line to vote for the first time. But there's a problem with Duke's registration & he is unable to vote. Marva decides to help Duke get everything straightened out so that he can cast his first ballot. The novel tells a fun, engaging story about the lengths Marva & Duke will go to to ensure he can participate in the election process. Brandy Colbert created relatable characters & interesting realistic plot twists. A very enjoyable read! Thank you Net Galley & publisher for providing me with a copy of The Voting Booth to review.

I really loved this book! It was hard to put down, the characters were engaging, and was very fast paced. Like her other works, Colbert doesn’t shy away from tough topics. The passion that Marva has is contagious, and it’s so great to see that passion for voting in a book geared towards a younger audience. This book deals with complex relationships, familial bonds, and an adorable, famous cat. ⁣
All around, this is an absolutely wonderful book and I’d highly recommend giving it a read. ⁣

Everyone should read this fun book to inspire children to be active participants in our democracy! I recommend this book.

In a narrative limited to a single day, election day, we follow two Black teenagers voting in for the first time. 
 
There's Marva, obsessively interested in politics. She has been volunteering her time to advocate for issues she is passionate about and has been focused on Get Out the Vote measures, only to discover her boyfriend is thinking of sitting out the election. There's Duke, whose older brother was murdered by unsolved gun violence, looking forward to his band's first paying gig at the end of the school day. They meet at the polling station when Duke has trouble voting, and Marva intervenes to try to help him advocate for his rights.

As they spend their day together with the aim of getting Duke to vote successfully (with a side storyline of viral Instagram cats), we see their friendship develop over shared meals and stories. Topics of voter suppression, disillusionment, and the power of individuals to bring about change are addressed. It's a timely read, being released in the shadow of an election, and it could be a vehicle to introduce readers to a variety of relevant topics centered on elections and voter suppression. 

I was never fully captivated, but admittedly, neither am I the target audience.

(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

not sure why i am able to give feedback on this book when my request wasn't approved. i was really excited but...

Disclaimer: I bought this book! Buy diversely!

Book: The Voting Booth

Author: Brandy Colbert

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: BIPOC ownvoice, mixed relationships

Recommended For...: voters, political issues, voting issues, romance, only one day

Publication Date: July 7, 2020

Genre: YA Contemporary

Recommended Age: 14+ (political issues, romance, drivebys mentioned TW, grief, cops TW, racism, colorism, language)

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Pages: 297

Synopsis: Marva Sheridan was born ready for this day. She's always been driven to make a difference in the world, and what better way than to vote in her first election?
Duke Crenshaw is do done with this election. He just wants to get voting over with so he can prepare for his band's first paying gig tonight.
Only problem? Duke can't vote.
When Marva sees Duke turned away from their polling place, she takes it upon herself to make sure his vote is counted. She hasn't spent months doorbelling and registering voters just to see someone denied their right. And that's how their whirlwind day begins, rushing from precinct to precinct, cutting school, waiting in endless lines, turned away time and again, trying to do one simple thing: vote. They may have started out as strangers, but as Duke and Marva team up to beat a rigged system (and find Marva's missing cat), it's clear that there's more to their connection than a shared mission for democracy.
Romantic and triumphant, The Voting Booth is proof that you can't sit around waiting for the world to change?but some things are just meant to be.

Review: I really loved this book! The book was really short and it makes for the perfect summer read. The book has great character development and the gem of this book is how it talks about so many issues in a concise yet persuasive manner. The book talks about colorism, prejudice, racism, racist actions of college, mixed relationships, abortion politics, gun control, voter suppression, voting issues, “the talk” about being pulled over and/or stopped by cops, and grief. The book does well to talk about all of these issues and more. I feel like I learned a whole lot about the electoral process in this book and I can’t wait to go vote on November 3!

However, I did think that the book was a bit too fast paced and the romance was kinda insta-love.

Verdict: Highly recommend and please remember to vote!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC to read and review The Voting Booth. This book packed so many relevant world issues into its pages! I really enjoyed the dynamic between Marva and Duke and I loved the family relationships. I am excited to have another book to recommend to my students in the future.

I loved reading THE VOTING BOOTH! It takes places over one day covering a variety of topics, including racism, activism, privilege, interracial relationships, social justice, voter suppression, Black identity, and grief. And of course it highlights the importance of voting. A must read for this election year!

A great YA novel (with a couple curse words) about the voting process and how difficult it can be to vote if you don't live in an affluent area. Polling place closed, running out of ballots, being pulled over while being black teenagers- lots of current events written about in an eloquent way. Definitely recommend!

THE VOTING BOOTH by Brandy Colbert is a timely and engaging novel about civic duty, race, and activism. Marva is passionate about politics and has been waiting for this day forever — Election Day! It’s a presidential election year and it will be her first time voting. She spent the past year registering voters and preparing for this election. So, when Marva sees Duke turned away from voting at her polling location before school, she springs into action to ensure that Duke is able to cast his ballot. Their day together is spent traveling around town, waiting in lines, dealing with registration mishaps, and finding it incredibly difficult to do something that shouldn’t be so difficult to do: vote.

I’m a sucker for stories that take place over the course of an entire day; but, it isn’t always an easy thing to pull off. Brandy Colbert does a fantastic job, drawing readers into Marva’s story and the frenetic pacing of her day. Chapters alternate first person narration between Marva and Duke, which highlight specific issues and personal experiences they each share during the day. Additionally, the subplot of Marva’s relationship with her white boyfriend helps facilitate a larger conversation about privilege and choosing not to vote. The writing tackles topics like grief, being Black in America, interracial relationships, and moving on after high school – and these are handled with honesty, wit, and characters who are incredibly likable. It’s impossible not to cheer for Marva and Duke during their crazy Election Day.

In a presidential election year, and especially a year in which social justice and voting rights are at the forefront, this is an important addition to the contemporary YA world. Readers, especially those newly at (or approaching) voting age, will enjoy this thoughtful story as they consider larger issues in the world around them and in their own communities.

Suggested Reading Age: Grades 9+ | Disney-Hyperion | 304 pg. | July 7, 2020 |

Source: Digital ARC provided by Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley.

“Change takes time. And patience. And … a willingness to listen to people we may not understand.”

I loved this book so much! A very timely and unique YA romance that will have you rooting for the two leads.

I really enjoyed this book. The story is at times touching, funny, sad, and thought-provoking. It is cleverly written; although the main part of the novel takes place over the curse of one single day, the author uses flashbacks and additional exposition effectively to fill in the characters' back story and previous experiences that have led them to this day. The characters are believable, complex and well-developed. Although the story has some semi-predictable elements, they are handled carefully and some mystery is maintained. The story is both realistic and engrossing; it grabbed my attention right away and kept me hanging on until the end. The book touches on many important and timely issues, including racial equality, privilege, private vs public schools, politics, abortion, growing up, etc., without being overtly about any of them. It underscores the importance of voting as part of one's civic responsibility without naming any particular political parties.

Although I cannot recommend this book to my students (ages 9-11) because of the mature language and content, I would absolutely recommend it to high schoolers and young adults.

Marva gets how important voting is and how voting has been impacted by racism for decades, so she is up early to make sure she votes before school starts. Duke is up early too, keeping focused on his band’s first paying gig that night and getting his voting done too. But when Duke gets to his polling place, he can’t vote since he isn’t registered there. Marva sees this happen and the two of them go to the voting precinct that Duke should be registered at. But nothing is simple in voting or dating as their lives collide with Marva angry at her white boyfriend for deciding not to vote in the election, Marva’s celebrity cat going missing, and Duke coping with the memories of his dead brother that being with Marva brings up. Still, the two of them are a great team, traveling the city, discovering voter suppression firsthand, and still managing a touch of romance along the way.

Colbert has written a marvelous romantic political novel here. She demonstrates clearly for teen readers that voter suppression in the black community is still active and can impact them as voters at any time. From long lines to closed polls to running out of ballots, each incident underlines how civil rights are being infringed. Wisely Colbert allows that to be significant in the story line but also fills in with an engaging new romance between two people who may approach politics differently but deeply believe in the same things.

The two main characters are completely delightful. Marva is driven and full of passion for fighting back, voting and activism. Duke has lost a brother to gun violence, a brother who was a community activist. Wonderfully, Duke is not dismissive of Marva’s passion, instead he marvels at it, showing his own dedication to voting and also to his music as the day continues. The pair together are magic with their snappy conversation, teasing and humor.

Political and romantic, this book is also a clarion call to vote and get involved. Appropriate for ages 15-19.

*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is such an important book to come out this year. Marva and Duke happen to meet on election day, and hijinks and romance ensue. I really enjoyed this and feel like it hit on many topics that are important to teens today.

Read it! Marva and Duke are each very different but they have complex, well constructed backstories and a strong believable connection. The dialogue and relationships throughout the book really had me engaged. The story deals with voter suppression, racial discrimination, family dynamics and is so much more than two teens who are heading off to vote. It’s one that I hope more people, especially young people, will read as we approach November. Don’t be like Marva’s loser boyfriend and VOTE. This year especially we’ve seen the importance of electing strong competent people into local, state and federal office, so exercise your right and do your part. ⁣