When You Grow Up to Vote: How Our Government Works for You

Updated for a modern audience, the pre-eminent first lady’s views on what government is and does and why having a voice in it all matters.

The female and nonwhite firefighters, garbage collectors, public officials, and jurors in Lin’s bright, racially and gender-diverse illustrations—not to mention references in the narrative to calling 911, to “alderpersons,” and “select people”—were likely not in the original 1932 edition. It’s easy, though, to hear Roosevelt, or at least her voice, in the pellucid descriptions of how local, state, and national governments are organized and the kinds of services they are charged with providing, both in the common-sense tone (“What seems good to you might not be good for the rest of the nation”) and in the inspirational message: “Marking your ballot is one of the most important—and exciting—things you’ll ever do.” Also at least partly new are descriptive notes about each amendment to the Constitution and each position in contemporary presidents’ cabinets, plus an eye-opening explanation of how electoral results can be manipulated through gerrymandering (using “blue” and “purple” voters as examples). Further comments by Roosevelt on citizenship and a brief biography focusing on her causes and character lead in to a short but choice set of more detailed sources of information about her life and work.

A fresh reworking of Roosevelt's 1932 book explains the roles of government workers and elected officials, election processes, and the civic responsibilities of U.S. citizens. The pyramid-structured narrative begins at the local level, describing the crucial services that firefighters, police, and garbage collectors provide. Roosevelt next tidily distills the jobs performed by town, city, and state officials before moving on to U.S. senators and congresspeople, the president and cabinet members, and those involved in the judicial system. Her keen humor surfaces: the county clerk "keeps a record of your birthday--in case you've forgotten when it comes." Updates by Markel (Brave Girl) include such post-1930s phenomena as cell phones, email, and electronic voting. Thumbnail pictures and charts by Lin (When the Sea Turned to Silver) will help kids on the younger end of the targeted audience grasp layered concepts. This reissue is especially apropos in an era of increasing awareness and activism on the part of American youth. Ages 6-12. (Sept.)

"Lively, lucid, and timely." - Kirkus, Starred Review

"A solid, informative choice for nonfiction collections that incorporates detailed information in a child-friendly style." - School Library Journal