About the Book
-
Author:
- Brandy Colbert
- Genre:
- Contemporary
Cover Story: Meet Cute
BFF Charm: Yay x2
Talky Talk: Real Talk (With Swoon)
Bonus Factor: Voting
Relationship Status: Rooting For Us
Content Warning: The Voting Booth includes memories of the death of a loved one; discussion of the grief and trauma that can follow; examples of voter suppression (particularly against BIPOC people); and an example of a police traffic stop that leads to thoughts of what it means to be Black and get pulled over by the cops.
Cover Story: Meet Cute
This cover has major “two strangers pass at a subway station and sparks fly” vibes, and I dig it. I also love how well the illustrator portrayed the two main characters, too, down to the one pink braid and the drumsticks.
The Deal:
Marva Sheridan is first in line at her polling place the morning of the election. It’s her first time voting, and it means everything to her. She’s been doing more than her fair share of getting the word out about the election and she’s beyond excited to do her civic duty.
Duke Crenshaw’s looking forward to voting, too, but he’s doing it more out of a sense of duty—in part to the memory of his activist older brother—than any real excitement for the movement. But then he’s not on the precinct’s list, and he doesn’t know what to do … until Marva comes to his rescue, kicking off a day-long quest/adventure.
BFF Charm: Yay x2
Marva is WAY more politically active than I am, but I love her drive and her passion for being the change that she wants to see in the world. She’s 100% the kind of person we need running this place, and someone who could actually move our country in a positive direction.
Duke, on the other hand, is a little less in your face about his beliefs, but he’s a quietly caring guy who understands Marva’s passion and how important voting is. He, too, is someone we need in a position of power (even though he would much prefer to work behind the scenes).
Swoonworthy Scale: 7
Marva has a boyfriend, and Duke has a … something … with Kendall, the manager of his band. But there’s no denying the easy chemistry the two share.
Talky Talk: Real Talk (With Swoon)
Colbert is so, so talented at mixing real-life, important topics with the kind of YA love story that brings both the swoon and the nostalgia for those initial butterfly moments. The Voting Booth is the best of both worlds, with its focus on voter suppression and what it means to be a young Black youth in this world—i.e., often frightening and unfair—and also the important quest Marva and Duke find themselves on to make Duke’s vote count.
Marva and Duke are fully realized 18-year-olds, with both admirable passion and heartbreaking characteristics: Duke’s lost someone important in his life, and he’s still reeling two years later; Marva’s the kind of young woman whose parents wish she would be a bit more reckless on occasion. World peace isn’t found at the end of the novel, but there’s a feeling of hope that, even with all that’s wrong, there are ways to make it better, be it voting or finding that one special person who makes you feel seen, heard, and understood.
Bonus Factor: Voting
Tomorrow is Election Day here in the U.S. If you haven’t yet voted, and you’re able to, please, please, please take the time to get to the polls before they close (or drop your ballot off at an official drop-off location, if you have a mail-in ballot).
Relationship Status: Rooting For Us
You make me believe in a better future, Book, and I’m currently really in need of things that give me this feeling. Now, if I can only hold onto it for the rest of the week/year …
Literary Matchmaking
Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue is another political book that brings both the hope and the swoon.
The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne takes a look at a presidential election from the side of the first kids.
And for an election story with slightly lower stakes, try Adrienne Kisner’s Dear Rachel Maddow.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Disney-Hyperion, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. The Voting Booth is available now.
