Power to the People

The power of a democratic government comes from the people who express their voices by voting, and never more loudly than in a presidential election year. With the confusion and controversy of the 2000 election still fresh in the national memory, this fall's race promises political drama and excitement. Many schools will hold mock elections, complete with campaign rhetoric and posters. The books listed here explore different aspects of the democratic process, lending clarity and balance to the often sensationalized world of politics that students will likely encounter in this election year.

The right to vote is central to democracy as laid out by Linda Granfield's America Votes: How Our President Is Elected, a sassy treatment that will capture the imagination of middle schoolers. Political campaigns are explored in Sarah De Capua's Running for Public Officeand Eileen Christelow's Vote! for younger readers. The lingering confusion of the 2000 presidential election is dissected in The Election of 2000, offering primary sources to high school students in American government and history classes.

Once the elections are over, the winners must get down to the real business of governing—making decisions that affect and even control the personal lives of the voters. Ellen Greenberg's The House and Senate Explained: The People's Guide to Congress cleverly presents the stage and players of Congress. Nathan Aaseng's You Are the Senator revisits major Senate decisions, and Michael Genovese's Encyclopedia of the American Presidency is an excellent compilation of information on the executive branch throughout American history. Even if they are not yet old enough to vote, students can express their voices through personal and group activism, as encouraged by Danny Seo in Generation React: Activism for Beginnersand Sara Jane Boyers in Teen Power Politics: Make Yourself Heard, both manuals for success from experienced teen activists. Power to the people!—Joyce Adams Burner

CHRISTELOW, Eileen. Vote! illus. by author. Clarion. 2003.

Gr 2-5–A mayoral election exemplifies the general voting process in this witty book, with a surprising depth of information found beneath the charming surface and Christelow's comical cartoon illustrations. The candidate, a young African-American mother, has two dogs whose wry commentary follows the action through rallies, fund-raisers, debates, polls, Election Day itself, and even a recount.

DE CAPUA, Sarah. Running for Public Office. Children's Press. 2002.

Gr 2-4–An introduction to elections from the candidate's perspective, this volume follows the stages of running for public office: planning and organizing a campaign, hiring a campaign manager, raising money, recruiting volunteers, advertising, and meeting voters. De Capua also looks at the activities of Election Day for both winners and losers. Color photos of actual candidates and campaign workers at local, state, and national levels of government illustrate the large-print text.

DE CAPUA, Sarah. Voting. Children's Press. 2002.

Gr 2-4–This book packs ample information into an easy-reader format. Bright color photographs depict a wide variety of citizens campaigning, voting, counting ballots, and watching the returns. Explanations of registering, declaring party affiliation, and going to the polls are followed by an examination of different methods of voting—punch cards, paper ballots, voting machines, and touch-screen machines. The Electoral College is concisely explained, and the 2000 election is discussed.

HEATH, David. The Presidency of the United States. Capstone/Bridgestone. 1998.

Gr 3 Up–Following a hi/lo format, this book is suitable for challenged readers in the upper grades or ESL classes. Although simply written and organized into brief chapters, its tone is not condescending, and the depth of information is substantial. An overview of the qualifications, powers, and duties of the president is followed by a look at the checks and balances built into the federal government, a typical day's schedule for the president, a history and tour of the White House, and brief entries on several presidents. Both color and black-and-white photos show the men in action, through the Clinton administration.

KRULL, Kathleen. A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull. illus. by Jane Dyer. Walker. 2004.

Gr 2-5–A fascinating example of one person wielding political power for the betterment of many, Woodhull became a millionaire stock trader, then joined the women's suffrage movement. Discovering that there were no laws preventing women from running for public office, she declared her candidacy for president in 1870, founded a newspaper to voice her positions, and addressed Congress. Krull tells Woodhull's story with enthusiasm and respect, admiring her boldness within a society that "laced itself up tight." Dyer's stunning watercolor illustrations vividly portray the life of this unusual woman.

LANDAU, Elaine. The 2000 Presidential Election. Children's Press. 2002.

Gr 2-6–The political drama and legal wrangling of the 2000 presidential race unfold here in a balanced treatment that captures the emotions and clarifies the impact of this complicated election. Useful both as a historical account and as a case study of the Electoral College, the text is complemented by color photos of key players and events, and concludes with a time line that clearly summarizes the events from November 7 to December 13, 2000.

LEVERT, Suzanne. The Congress. Benchmark. 2002.

Gr 2-5–Full-page color photographs of current officials in action bring the legislative branch to life in this clearly written introduction. The qualifications and leadership of each house are explained, followed by a description of how a bill becomes a law, including the committee and veto processes. LeVert explains the legislature in a broader context within the federal government and suggests ways young readers can influence their own representatives in Congress.

MAESTRO, Betsy. The Voice of the People: American Democracy in Action. illus. by Giulio Maestro. HarperCollins/Lothrop. 1996.

Gr 3-5–This handsome guidebook differentiates our government from other types, then examines its three branches as established by the Constitution. The smooth-flowing narrative moves to elections, including campaigns, nominations, and the Electoral College. Warm, appealing illustrations done in watercolor and colored pencil depict government buildings, officials, and citizens in postcard-perfect perspective and detail, and lend a sense of civic pride.

SANDERS, Mark. Your Right to Vote. Raintree/Steadwell. 1999.

Gr 3-6–Sanders identifies voting as "the starting point of democracy," and traces the expansion of voting rights through U.S. history. The basis and functions of political parties are discussed, with a solid explanation of the primary process and national conventions. Campaign strategy is examined, and the Electoral College is described. Color photos, many from the Clinton administration and 2000 presidential campaign, enliven the text, which is concise yet well detailed.

SOBEL, Syl. Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts. Barron's. 2000.

Gr 3-6–Lots of historical trivia rounds out this clearly written overview. Presidential birthplaces, vice presidents who have become president, the Chicago Tribune's miscall of Truman's loss to Dewey, third-party candidates, and notable First Ladies are highlighted in sidebars. The text concisely explains the confusing Electoral College and traces the steps of a campaign, including primaries and caucuses, with a concluding section addressing the question of presidential succession. Blue line drawings depict historical figures as well as generic election scenes.

AASENG, Nathan. You Are the Senator. Oliver. 1997.

Gr 7 Up–Eight landmark decisions are put back on the table, with readers in the Senate seats. Aaseng gives background information for each case, presents three options, then reveals and analyzes the actual Senate vote and its effects. The complexities of legislation, the influence of public pressure and special-interest groups, and the Senators' long-term accountability to their constituents are highlighted, as are the decisions on Prohibition, Social Security, the Taft-Hartley Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, direct election of the president, the War Powers Act, the Gramm-Rudman bill, and the Brady bill. Black-and-white photos enhance the text.

BAUSUM, Ann. With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Vote. National Geographic. 2004.

Gr 7 Up–Bausum introduces those who suffered for suffrage in this close look at the drive to enfranchise women. Highlighting the tensions between conservative and radical factions from 1906 to 1920, she skillfully casts it against greater controversies in the federal and state governments, including a fascinating analysis of specifically Southern wrangling. Vintage photographs, some never before published, depict key figures protesting, picketing, and going to jail, where they endured horrendous conditions, hunger strikes, and forced feeding.

BOYERS, Sara Jane. Teen Power Politics: Make Yourself Heard. 21st Century Bks. 2000.

Gr 7 Up–Boyers walks teens through the campaign and election process, giving tips on making sense of rhetoric and political ads, then suggests ways that they can make their voices heard. The author includes story after story of young people who worked within the system to bring about change such as fighting school censorship, establishing skate parks, and funding sports teams. Patient persistence and discerning compromise are emphasized as the keys to success. A long list of resource sites for getting started is appended. Black-and-white photos of teen activists complement the kicky use of orange graphics for visual appeal.

DONOVAN, Sandy. Making Laws: A Look at How a Bill Becomes a Law. Lerner. 2003.

Gr 4-6–This clever take on the legislative process follows a theoretical proposal to ban school on Fridays from a grassroots idea to a passed but vetoed act. Along the way, readers learn about special-interest groups, gaining a legislator's support to introduce the bill, Congressional committees and hearings, the House Rules Committee, lobbyists, debates in each house, filibusters, conference committees, presidential signatures and vetoes, and compromise at every turn. The book is generously illustrated with color photos of legislators in action.

GRANFIELD, Linda. America Votes: How Our President Is Elected. illus. by Steve Björkman. Kids Can. 2003.

Gr 4-6–This animated look at the election process is presented in spreads with humorous titles such as "No College Degrees Given Here!" for the Electoral College. Subjects include PACs, election fraud, third parties, primaries, debates, and spin, as well as the basics of voting. Ink-and-watercolor illustrations add visual appeal to the straightforward text, and witty sidebars ("What a Chad, Chad Story!") engage readers through wordplay while presenting solid information.

HARRIS, Nathaniel. Democracy. Raintree. 2001.

Gr 6-9–Harris gives a solid picture of the history, development, and future of democracy, beginning with ancient Greece and continuing into developing Third World and former Soviet nations today. He considers the impact of wars, economic depression, globalization, industrialization, ethnic conflicts, and the media on democracy in the U.S. and worldwide. Historical figures and documents and political terminology are examined in numerous sidebars, with color and black-and-white photos as well as reproductions illuminating the text. This is a clearly written and easily understandable survey, despite the complexity of its subject.

KING, David C. The Right to Speak Out. Millbrook. 1997.

Gr 4-8–King traces the establishment of this First Amendment right through Colonial America (the John Peter Zenger trial), the Constitution, and subsequent Supreme Court decisions. Freedom of the press, censorship, and protected speech without words, such as flag burning, are discussed, as are current concerns about speech in popular music, in advertising, and on the Internet. Color and black-and-white photos and reproductions show examples from U.S. history.

MAJURE, Janet. Elections. Gale/Lucent. 1996.

Gr 7 Up–This engaging analysis of U.S. election practices begins with a historical look at the process, including the reasoning behind the Electoral College. Majure examines the effect of low voter turnout and various voting deterrents on election outcome, the role and influence of the media and fund-raising, and the place of political parties, and considers alternatives to winner-take-all elections. Black-and-white photos and political cartoons complement the clearly written, concise text.

MORIN, Isobel V. Politics, American Style: Political Parties in American History. 21st Century Bks. 1999.

Gr 5-8–Morin traces the role of political parties through U.S. history, including those that have come and gone, such as the Whigs, as well as the long-lived Democratic and Republican parties, consistently providing enough background information on issues and political conditions to maintain strong historical context. Political cartoons illustrate the text, which includes the effects of third parties on the mainline system.

SAFFELL, David C., ed. The Encyclopedia of U. S. Presidential Elections. Watts. 2004.

Gr 5-8–Each election, from George Washington's unopposed win in 1789 to George W. Bush's eventual victory in 2000, receives a two-to-three page treatment in this readable reference compilation. The candidates, issues, campaign tactics, and election tallies are concisely presented for each contest. Sidebars add information on First Ladies, opposing candidates, and administration highlights. Campaign slogans and memorabilia, election maps and charts, and presidential portraits augment the text, attractively designed in red, white, and blue, with some black-and-white photos included.

COOK, Rhodes & the editors of Congressional Quarterly. How Congress Gets Elected. CQ Press. 1999.

Gr 10 Up–Useful to students in American government classes, this volume analyzes past and present influences on Congressional elections. The expansion of voting rights, low voter turnout, political parties, inclusion of women and ethnic minorities in Congress, the controversies of campaign finance, and reapportionment and redistricting are examined. Appended statistics break down Congress by party affiliation, election results, incumbents, women, blacks, and Hispanics, with black-and-white photos, political cartoons, and charts included.

DUVALL, Jill. Congressional Committees. Watts. 1997.

Gr 11 Up–A detailed analysis of the various types of committees, their functions, and leadership. The roles of lobbyists, the media, and the executive and judicial branches are examined, and the annual budget process is explored. Duvall chose two committees as case studies—the Senate Subcommittee of Drinking Water, Fisheries, and Wildlife, and its role in successfully passing The Endangered Species Act, and The House Un-American Activities Committee, which was abolished in 1975.

GENOVESE, Michael A. Encyclopedia of the American Presidency. Facts On File. 2004.

Gr 9 Up–Written "to assist readers in answering questions about the operation of the presidency, the institution and the people who have occupied the office," these 600 entries include all U.S. presidents by name, important legislation, historical events, scandals, court cases, political opponents, and elections. Air Force One, First Ladies, the Truman Doctrine, and George Wallace are among the topics included in this comprehensive look at the executive branch. Black-and-white photos appear sporadically.

GREENBERG, Ellen. The House and Senate Explained: The People's Guide to Congress. rev. ed. Norton. 1996.

Gr 8 Up–This engaging guidebook clarifies Congressional procedure. Greenberg sets "The Stage" by diagramming and identifying physical components of each house, then presents "The Players," key people in Congress. "The Script," the heart of the book, alphabetically lists and defines legislative terms, followed by explanations of frequently heard phrases and an outline of a typical day in each chamber. Informative chapters on effectively communicating with legislators are followed by an extensive appendix listing and describing all Congressional committees and subcommittees.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS. Choosing the President 2004: A Citizen's Guide to the Electoral Process. Lyons. 2003.

Gr 9 Up–"…[C]reated to provide a handy and accessible overview of the presidential election process while it is happening," this clearly written, easily understandable, and completely nonpartisan guidebook defines terms, identifies positions and qualifications, and demystifies the campaign and election process. Sections on campaign finance and political advertising are especially practical. Public events like primaries and conventions are explained, as are underlying political strategies. While superficial references to current politics are included, this is not primarily specific to the 2004 election.

NARDO, Don. Democracy. Gale/Lucent. 1994.

Gr 8 Up–Nardo follows the development of democratic government through Western civilization, beginning with ancient Greece. He also explains how the concepts of constitutional restraints on government, natural law, and representative government contributed to the birth of democracy through revolution in the United States and France, as well as Britain's parliamentary democracy. The current struggles toward democracy in Eastern Europe and the Third World are discussed. Black-and-white reproductions of historical paintings and drawings enliven the text, which is loaded with well-organized, readable information and significant detail.

RITCHIE, Donald A. The Congress of the United States: A Student Companion. 2nd ed. Oxford Univ. 2002.

Gr 8 Up–A collection of brief essays on such topics as congressional leadership, elections, notable legislation, traditions, and legislative terms and procedures. Arranged alphabetically and laced with fascinating bits of historical detail, the articles were written to "examine Congress objectively, offering critical analysis and observations laced with humor rather than cynicism." Excellent for research, the entries include suggestions for further reading. Small black-and-white photos complement the text.

SCHLESINGER, Arthur M., Jr., ed. The Election of 2000 and the Administration of George W. Bush. Mason Crest. 2003.

Gr 8 Up–This carefully balanced look at a most confusing election traces the campaign, snarled election, and subsequent 36-day wait. Primary sources comprise the bulk of the book: the Supreme Court opinion; speeches by Gore and Bush on December 13, 2000; Bush's inaugural address; and speeches by Bush on September 11 and other key dates of his early administration. Illustrated with color photos of campaign scenarios and memorabilia.

SEO, Danny. Generation React: Activism for Beginners. Ballantine. 1997.

Gr 8 Up–"You can do it!" is stamped all over this guide to working the system for positive change, written by an experienced teen activist. Seo draws on his own years of success to give step-by-step advice on starting an activist group, creative and easy fund-raising, using the media, boycotts, protests, service awards, internships, lobbying, student rights, and organizing events. He stresses preparation, hard work, and being informed as the keys to success, infusing his counsel with idealistic enthusiasm.

STALCUP, Brenda, ed. Women's Suffrage. Gale/Greenhaven. 2000.

Gr 10 Up–Excerpts from sources spanning four centuries are compiled in this volume, achieving a balanced and lively account of the women's suffrage movement. Six chapters, each consisting of three or four articles, follow an introductory essay summarizing the movement's history. Most notable is inclusion of material about the anti-suffragists and early African-American suffragists, as well as an analysis of the tactics employed, and disagreements within the ranks. Twenty-five primary-source documents are appended, and occasional black-and-white photos enhance and extend the text.