ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
This is a bit like the book "Act" by Kayla Miller in that a teenager sees something that needs to be fixed, and finds out about running for an office to do so. (Although in Act it was a student council office, while in this book it is for the mayor of the city.)
Maddie loves art, and art will be taken out of the schools to save money, as well as everything that isn't the three Rs (reading, writing and 'rithmatic). The thought of having no art, or drama, or music brings the kids together to help the only adult they know who might be even interested to run for mayor, Maddie's babysitter.
It is a fun ride. Maddie is socially awkward, and not part of the main group of kids, but she manages to bring them all together to run what sounds like a very fun campaign.
Getting involved with politics at 12 might seem too young, but I remember getting interested in politics at that time, and cutting out all the articles I could find and making a scrapbook about what happened that year.
Fun way to teach kids about local politics, and how being involved can make a difference.
Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
Maddie loves art, and art will be taken out of the schools to save money, as well as everything that isn't the three Rs (reading, writing and 'rithmatic). The thought of having no art, or drama, or music brings the kids together to help the only adult they know who might be even interested to run for mayor, Maddie's babysitter.
It is a fun ride. Maddie is socially awkward, and not part of the main group of kids, but she manages to bring them all together to run what sounds like a very fun campaign.
Getting involved with politics at 12 might seem too young, but I remember getting interested in politics at that time, and cutting out all the articles I could find and making a scrapbook about what happened that year.
Fun way to teach kids about local politics, and how being involved can make a difference.
Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
hamandaj's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read, super fun. Great for those students who feel like they don't belong anywhere.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
4 stars=Great! Might re-read
I loved this local election-focused story for middle grade readers! I think there are great principles here to get kids talking about politics, civic engagement, elections, etc. Yes, there may be structures in the book that don't fit every community (like a mayor having a say over school curriculum), but as a starting place for conversation, I think this is great. I think this would be fascinating for a class read aloud or for book club/book group discussion. Without even trying hard, I could think of several activities that older elementary and middle school students could do to use the story as a springboard to learning about their own community election process.
There is a secondary layer to this about friendship and fitting in that was also good. And don't even get me started on Maddie's parents. Ugh. But the campaign pieces shine in this.
4 stars=Great! Might re-read
I loved this local election-focused story for middle grade readers! I think there are great principles here to get kids talking about politics, civic engagement, elections, etc. Yes, there may be structures in the book that don't fit every community (like a mayor having a say over school curriculum), but as a starting place for conversation, I think this is great. I think this would be fascinating for a class read aloud or for book club/book group discussion. Without even trying hard, I could think of several activities that older elementary and middle school students could do to use the story as a springboard to learning about their own community election process.
There is a secondary layer to this about friendship and fitting in that was also good. And don't even get me started on Maddie's parents. Ugh. But the campaign pieces shine in this.
chessakat's review
4.0
A sweet and inspiring middle grade novel on the power of democracy and getting involved. Maddie is kind of an odd duck - she loves art more than anything, is confused about what other kids like/what is popular, and has one close friend, along with an awesome babysitter (and benignly checked out parents). When she finds out her favorite art teacher’s job may be cut - in fact, ALL of arts education may be cut - by the mayoral candidate running unopposed, she decides to do something about it. Namely, she decides to run her babysitter for mayor.
What follows is a fun story of ups and downs, of reaching out to people and asking for help and their vote, of taking chances and working hard for the thing you believe in. Maddie learns a lot - not only about democracy, but about other kids and about herself.
A great addition to any library that has middle grade readers.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
What follows is a fun story of ups and downs, of reaching out to people and asking for help and their vote, of taking chances and working hard for the thing you believe in. Maddie learns a lot - not only about democracy, but about other kids and about herself.
A great addition to any library that has middle grade readers.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
what_amy_reads's review
4.0
Thank you to @AbramsKids and @netgalley for the e-ARC of this delightful middle grade book. This one is a fantastic tool to teach kids about the importance of voting and elections. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and while they definitely added to my enjoyment of the book, I think kids will love them even more. They turn this book into a cross between a chapter book and a graphic novel and I loved seeing pictures of the characters. Maddie and her friends are well-fleshed out and the adults take second stage in this one (rightly so). This would be a happy addition to any school or home library and it's a quick read that's enjoyable for adults, too. Reminiscent of Ramona Quimby and her counterparts, this will bring you all the nostalgia. PICK.
I will update this review with a link to my Instagram review once posted!
I will update this review with a link to my Instagram review once posted!
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