The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert is an incredible representation of voting and its importance that young adults will be able to relate to. This book takes place over the course of one day, voting day. As the reader, you are unaware if the day is for the primary or mid-term elections, however, that does not make a difference because voting in every election is just as important. On this voting day, we follow Marva and Duke, two young adults who have entirely different reasons for being at the polls that morning, but for both of them this is an important election because it is their first one as newly turned 18 year olds. As Duke is turned away from the polls, Marva takes it upon herself to make sure Duke votes and although they are complete strangers, a friendship is created with each conflict they face on election day.

As a reader, I love young adult novels. In my opinion they can be some of the most powerful books written because they are able to share serious topics in a way that is relatable to people of all ages. Brandy Colbert is one of my favorite young adult authors, as Little and Lion is a book I always recommend as an incredible novel about identity, mental health, and friendship. The Voting Booth is no different with its incredible portrayal of first time voters and their anxieties around a system that is not made to represent the public, but a select few. Brandy Colbert takes on the “difficult” topics that keep coming up time and time again such as racism and gun violence which are driving factors for many voters.

Brandy Colbert writes The Voting Booth to be accessible for all readers while also asking them to reflect on their privilege and how the outcomes of elections can leave many people’s, specifically white people’s, lives unchanged. However, for young adults and people who reflect Marva and Duke, two Black teens, the outcome of an election can determine what their future holds and how the systems of oppression are sustained.

The Voting Booth is a quick read (or a quick listen!) and is one that will ask you to think before you cast your vote in November. Brandy Colbert writes love-able and well rounded characters in this book set over the course of one day so make sure you pick this book up before November 3rd!