Your Voice, Your Vote, Written by Leah Henderson and Illustrated by Keisha Morris






 

Description from the publisher:

"Discover both the past and present day's fight to vote with Quetta Little as she learns the power of casting your vote in this ideal picture book from acclaimed author Leah Henderson and illustrator Keisha Morris. The perfect companion for any young reader during election year!

It’s Election Day, and Quetta, her mother, and her grandmother embark on their journey to cast their vote. Trekking through their vibrant neighborhood, they meet obstacle after obstacle before—and after—reaching their voting station.

Unwilling to give up, Quetta’s mother and grandmother teach her about the importance of voting and those who fought for their right—and Quetta comes to discover the power of raising her voice.

With warm illustrations, engaging text, and insightful timeline, Your Voice, Your Vote will inspire readers to embrace this civic duty in the face of today’s continued fight for voting rights."


Text Features: 

  • Realistic fiction picture book with multigenerational family members engaged in exercising their right to vote.
  • Back matter: timeline of key voting rights achievements from Independence to the present day.
Critical Literacy Suggestions:

Read & Discuss: 
  • BEFORE reading: 
  • Explore what students know (or think they know) about voting: who, how, where/when, and why people vote. Record these ideas before you start reading the book or blurb. Ask students what questions they have about voting and record these too. After reading the blurb, ask students if they want to add anything to their list of what they know or want to know.
  • If you are reading this book as part of a larger unit aimed at helping students explore the history of voting rights or how to use present day civil infrastructure to achieve change, you might like to read the blurb first and ask students to share connections and predictions before you begin reading the book. For example, what "obstacle after obstacle" do you think Quetta and her family might face as they try to vote? 
  • DURING reading:
  • Guide students to explore the obstacles introduced in the book that many people have faced and continue to face in exercising their right to vote: racist historic inequities (poll tax and literacy tests), working during voting hours, difficulty getting to the polls, long wait times (and sometimes outdoors in harsh weather conditions), strict photo identification requirements, language barriers (note the signs in different languages as Quetta and her family wait in line). 
  • The author uses the metaphor of climbing stairs to help children understand the inequity people face in exercising their right to vote and the importance of overcoming obstacles to exercise that right. Ask children what they think this means.
  • AFTER reading:
  • Do you think all Americans have the same experience with access to voting? Why/why not?
  • Discuss why is voting so important. 
  • Extension activity for older children: Revisit the metaphor of stairs used in the book. Read Langston Hugh's Mother To Son and ask students if they see any connections.

Write & Act: 
  • Help students understand the importance of voting by engaging them in voting for something they care about. 
  • Create posters encouraging adults to exercise their right to vote and post them in your community! Include ideas that you would like voters to consider that impact children (e.g., education, parks, libraries, and public transportation). 
  • Research who your local elected representatives are and invite them to speak with your students. Alternatively, write them letters telling them what you care about and want them protect or change. 

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