Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

How the history of American voting rights has shaped the way we vote today Coinciding with the 2020 US presidential election, Drawing the Vote, an original graphic novel, looks at the history of voting rights in the United States and how it affects the way we vote today. Throughout the book, the author, Tommy Jenkins, identifies events and trends that led to the unprecedented results of the 2016 presidential election that left America political parties more estranged than ever. To balance these complex ideas and statistics, Kati Lacker's original artistic style makes the book accessible for readers of all ages. At a time when many citizens are experiencing challenges and apathy about voting and skepticism concerning our bitterly divided political parties, Drawing the Vote seeks to offer some explanation for how we got here and how every American can take action to make their vote count.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. v)
• Preface (p. vii)
• Timeline of Key Events in Us Voting History (p. viii)
• Chapter 1 By the People, for the People (p. 1)
• Chapter 2 The Birth of a Nation: 1776-1861 (p. 25)
• Chapter 3 United We Stand, Divided We Fall: 1865-1900 (p. 43)
• Chapter 4 Reclaiming Her Time! 1807-2016 (p. 63)
• Chapter 5 Jim Crow Strikes Back! 1890-1965 (p. 84)
• Chapter 6 A Move to the Left, a Move to the Right: 1963-2009 (p. 126)
• Chapter 7 Party All the Time: 2009-2016 (p. 142)
• Chapter 8 Divide and Conquer: 2010-Present (p. 163)
• Epilogue. Every Vote Counts (p. 187)
• Notes (p. 192)
• Acknowledgments (p. 198)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

This rapid-fire history illustrates the evolution of and challenges to U.S. voting rights from the colonial-era Stamp Act to modern voter ID laws. Leading up to the 2018 midterm elections, Jenkins, a literature professor in North Carolina, asked his students if they planned to vote. To his dismay, only a few raised their hands. What, he wondered, could "show people, especially young people, how important voting is?" This graphic work takes that lofty aim, but in the contemporary context of the President calling elections "rigged" and foreign government's interference in political campaigns, Jenkins notes, "it takes a Herculean effort to shake up the political status quo." How, he argues, could the U.S. actually make it easier for more people to vote? Taking a broad survey of 250 years, at times the narrative unfolds like a well-illustrated Wikipedia article. But the exposition and Lacker's simple but energetic illustrations combine to pack valuable information on each page, while making even complex issues (such as the racism of white suffragists who fought for the 19th Amendment) easy to follow. Suited best to younger readers new to the topic, Jenkins's work lays out the high-stakes history clearly and succinctly. Agents: Su Wu and Judy Hansen, Hansen Literary. (Apr.)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 8 Up--After seeing his students become disillusioned following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, college professor and author Jenkins responded by creating a graphic novel that highlights key events and issues throughout history that have shaped the way Americans vote. He covers familiar topics such as the Boston Tea Party and women's suffrage but also sheds light on gerrymandering and voter intimidation. Jenkins's perspective is balanced, as he reflects on how both political parties have failed to address voting issues. Lacker's simple, uncluttered artwork balances out jam-packed text bubbles, adding clarity to the rich mosaic of information. VERDICT While voter apathy led to many refusing to participate in the 2016 elections, anticipation for the 2020 elections has been building steadily. Jenkins's rousing work will inspire students to educate themselves on the issues--and, when the time comes, to vote early and often.--Elise Martinez, Zion-Benton Public Library, IL