Vote Here: Books for Tweens About Elections and Voting
by Denise Schipani
This morning, as my middle schooler was halfway out the door, he asked, “So, what happens if someone gets the nomination, but then changes her mind? Or his? What if they die? Do they just pick someone else?” The bus was coming in less than two minutes, so my answer was something along the lines of, “Uh … Not sure that’s happened before, but I’d guess the party would have to find someone else. See you later!”
Both of my sons — ages 13 and 11 — are highly election-curious during what I tell them is a very unique year. We talk about it all the time. What’s a caucus? Why Iowa first? Has there ever been a tie? (They mean an actual, popular-vote tie; I haven’t even tried to explain Florida in 2000 to them yet.) My husband and I know a fair amount about U.S. civics and government, but darned if our boys — and they’re hardly unique in this respect — don’t come up with questions that leave us either stammering or frantically Googling.
If your family’s in the same boat, check out this list of book picks for election-obsessed tweens.
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Presidential Mad Libs
Available from:This offering from Mad Libs provides tweens with the opportunity to create 21 unique stories about presidents of the past (and present!).
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The Smithsonian Book of Presidential Trivia
Available from:Kids can test their presidential knowledge with this fun book of trivia! From questions like "Which president holds the record for the most vetoes?" to "Which president had the largest shoe size?" they're in for hours of fun and learning.
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History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote
Available from:Learn the truth behind women's right to vote with this installment of History Smashers! It took a lot more than just Susan B. Anthony to get the 19th Amendment ratified. Kids can learn the truth behind this powerful movement in this engaging book, which includes illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more.
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What Is a Presidential Election?
Available from:Who HQ makes learning fun! Tweens can learn all about presidential elections in anticipation of this upcoming moment in history. They'll learn about who can run for an election, how they do it, and more in this book that's complete with stickers, activities, and a color-your-own Electoral Map poster!
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The Woman's Hour (Adapted for Young Readers)
Available from:This book teaches young readers about activism, civil rights, and the fight for women’s suffrage! The Women's Hour transports readers back in time, as women fight for their equality - while facing opposition from every side, including from women who don't want the right to vote.
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Give Us the Vote!
Available from:For middle grade readers looking for a more in-depth guide on the right to vote, Rubin's nonfiction book provides readers with a history of voting rights from the time of our Founding Fathers to today. Along the way, she examines the lengths people have gone to both secure the vote and prevent others from getting it, as well as the barriers people of color, Indigenous people, and immigrants face.
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The Presidents Visual Encyclopedia
Available from:This educational book explores the accomplishments of all US Presidents through visual timelines. Over 150 pages detail each president's contributions, historical context, first ladies, and impactful speeches, allowing readers to delve into key moments that shaped American history.
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Evicted!
Available from:This civil rights book delves into Tennessee's Fayette County Tent City Movement of the 1950s, highlighting African American's fight for voting rights through interconnected stories. Combining poetry, prose, and illustrations, the book sheds light on how Black sharecroppers were violently evicted off their land as they fought for the right to vote.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2024.