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From Horn Book

November 1, 2024
Dyson and Favreau (Unequal: A Story of America) explore the history of the right to vote in the United States, presenting the complexity of America's election system in an accessible manner. This approach can inspire readers to dig deeper, see their communities reflected in past struggles, and make connections that help inform current events, finding ways to participate in the electoral process. Organized into three sections -- Promises, Awakening, and Two Roads -- the book features tales of famous and lesser-known voting-rights advocates to explain how countless Americans have been denied the right to vote, in contradiction to the modern understanding of the country's founding vision. The personal stories provide examples of courageous leaders who helped disenfranchised voters have their rightful say in government while also exploring how social justice movements, such as women's suffrage in the late nineteenth century, often left underserved communities behind. The authors avoid a specific partisan lens for their commentary; however, they affirm that for this country to live up to its promise as a democracy "of the people, by the people, for the people," all Americans must protect the right to vote. Black-and-white photographs and archival images ably support the text. Back matter includes suggestions for "What You Can Do," a timeline, further reading, and an index (unseen). Nicholas A. Brown-Caceres

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From School Library Journal

Starred review from August 1, 2024

Gr 9 Up-This timely and important book examines the current struggle to protect voting rights in a historical context. Dyson and Favreau trace the enduring battle for equal voting power, from the drafting of the Constitution to Donald Trump's attempt to undermine the 2020 election results. The book begins with a critical examination of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting its unfulfilled promises of equality and the disenfranchisement of much of the populace. It recounts the progress made towards a fairer system during Reconstruction, which white Southern Democrats subsequently thwarted, determined to maintain their dominance. The second part introduces key figures who championed voting rights for women, Black Americans, Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and Asian Americans. In part three, the authors explain modern tactics used to disenfranchise voters, including felon disenfranchisement, voter roll purging, voter ID laws, and gerrymandering. The narrative also addresses the consequences of dark money and misinformation within the electoral process. Throughout, readers learn about disenfranchisement in its many forms and the names of everyday citizens who fought to protect the power of the people, often at the risk of their own lives. Appendices include a section titled "People Power Ideas," which discusses proposals to enhance voting power, such as abolishing the Electoral College, expanding the House of Representatives, and imposing limits on campaign contributions. Another section, "What Can You Do," provides information on voter registration, candidate research, and advocacy for voting rights. Additionally, the book includes a voting rights time line, source notes, and an index. VERDICT Highly recommended for collections serving high schoolers.-Cathy DeCampli

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Publisher's Weekly

Starred review from July 15, 2024
Collaborators Dyson and Favreau (Unequal) present the ideologies that disparage women and Black Americans and become the framework for contemporary American society in this accessible accounting of voting rights. In a linear chronology, the authors center historical figures like civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer and former Congressman John Lewis. Conversational text delivers a brief biography of the spotlighted subjects, details where they fit in the fight for voting rights, and outlines how their contributions were influenced by those who came before and in turn impact those who came after. The resistance from government leaders, poll taxes, and state legislation that
citizens experience in their efforts to expand voting rights are discussed throughout. Additionally, Dyson and Favreau don't shy away from depicting the conflicts among voting activists, highlighting the exclusion of nonwhite Americans within the women's suffrage movement. Concerning the current political landscape, the creators address
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and the weaponization of the voter fraud rhetoric that sparked the January 6 insurrection. Concluding solutions and resources make a fitting end to this relevant and inspiring account that shows how the past is not as far removed as one may think. Ages 12—up.

From Kirkus

Starred review from July 15, 2024
An explanation of how Americans have fought for a precious right, one that's central to democracy--and how it's still threatened today. Although the struggle for representation lies at the heart of U.S. history, Dyson and Favreau persuasively argue that the Founding Fathers abhorred the "people power" of true democracy, preferring the power of money and chattel slavery. States overwhelmingly restricted the voting rights of women, those who didn't own property, Native Americans, free Black people, and, later, those of Chinese descent. But the roughly two-thirds of the population who were disenfranchised continually fought for the vote, and their stories vividly unfold in three parts: "Promises," "Awakening," and "Two Roads." These sections cover 19th-century efforts to expand access to the ballot as the population grew and the electorate shrank "under the pressure of mob violence and discriminatory laws"; 20th-century battles, for example, for women's and Native American suffrage and equal access for Black voters; and finally, present-day obstacles, including the gutting of the Voting Rights Act and the impact of disinformation spread by dark-money groups. Nevertheless, the authors stress the positives in their clear, well-paced account, showing the courage, persistence, and sacrifices of those who have advanced and exercised voting rights and introducing readers to a diverse range of activists they should know about. This lively, accessible, and inspiring history deserves a wide readership. A concise, readable account of the struggle for equality, freedom, and democracy in the U.S. (authors' note, ideas for taking action, timeline, further reading, source notes, index)(Nonfiction. 13-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Booklist

Starred review from July 1, 2024
Grades 7-12 *Starred Review* Fans of Dyson and Favreau's Unequal (2022) will welcome this, which focuses on the complicated history of voting in the U.S. The prologue immediately debunks the notion that the Constitution is a blueprint for democracy as the authors explain how the original framers did not actually give Americans the right to vote. In a direct style with riveting, often overlooked details, they trace the long and even violent fight for women's, Black, Latinx, Asian American, and Native American suffrage. The authors place these fights in the context of historical events and carefully note intersections of repressed groups, such as Mexican Americans in the Southwest who endured a "Juan Crow" system similar to African Americans in the South, as well as racism within the women's suffrage movement that promoted voting only for white women. Many chapters also focus on voting rights through the lens of potentially lesser-known but influential activists, including Robert Smalls, who cleverly escaped slavery and became a U.S. congressman during Reconstruction, and Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, a doubly excluded Chinese American activist who campaigned for women's rights. Proving that democracy is an ongoing battle, the final section spotlights recent attempts to obstruct voting, like gerrymandering, dark money, and January 6. Voting reform ideas, voting resources, and copious source notes round out this eye-opening narrative.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.