By Charlene Klassen Endrizzi, Westminster College (retired), Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words, University of Arizona, Tucson and Aika Adamson, Worlds of Words, University of Arizona, Tucson

Voters’ rights vary around the world, with some countries granting universal suffrage while others restrict voting based on criteria such as age, citizenship or criminal record. In the U.S., voters’ rights have been marked by obstacles like poll taxes, literacy tests and intimidation at the polls, which aimed to disenfranchise people based on race, economic status or gender. The books included in this WOW Dozen portray pivotal moments (historical and fictional) when communities fought for their voices to be heard in the democratic process. These narratives educate about past injustices and inspire young readers to become informed, engaged citizens who advocate for equality and fairness in voting rights.

For an in-depth discussion about the history of suffrage in the U.S. that includes books not in this WOW Dozen, read “An On-going Struggle for Equal Voting Rights” in this month’s WOW Currents. Consider how you might share these stories with young people and leave your favorite books on voters’ rights in the comments.

WOW Dozen features a list of 12 global books for children and adolescents around a theme, topic, issue or personal favorites. Each Dozen consists of ten newly-published titles with two older “must have” books. Please share or recommend additional books that fit the theme in the comments section or on social media using #WOWDozen. Use the printer icon in the upper left corner of this post to print or save this list as a PDF.​

array(13) {
  ["_edit_lock"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(14) "1713291932:264"
  }
  ["_edit_last"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(1) "2"
  }
  ["_thumbnail_id"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(5) "42094"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(54) "https://wowlit.org/wp-content/media/Teachers-March.jpg"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(5) "45119"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(56) "https://wowlit.org/wp-content/media/Finish-the-Fight.jpg"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(5) "45125"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_focuskw"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(6) "Voting"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_metadesc"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(138) "This month, Charlene, Rebecca and Aika present a dozen books that focus on voting rights and the movements that brought them into reality."
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_linkdex"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(2) "90"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(2) "30"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(4) "5239"
  }
  ["_wp_old_slug"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(27) "wow-dozen-book-about-voting"
  }
}

• Themes: Aika Adamson, Andrea Beaty, Brandy Colbert, Carole Boston Weatherford, Caroline Stevan, Charlene Klassen Endrizzi, Charly Palmer, Ciziten She, David Roberts, E.B. Lewis, Ekua Holmes, Elina Braslina, Elizabeth MacLeod, Elspeth Leacock, Emily Chu, Eric Stein, Finish the Fight, Get Out and Vote, Granddaddy's TUrn, James E. Ransome, Jonah Winter, Laura Freeman, Lilian's Right to Vote, Lynda Blackmon Lowery, Michael S. Brandy, Michelle Bialat-Jones, Rebecca Ballenger, Rich Wallace, Sandra Neil Wallace, Shane W. Evan, Sofia Valdez Future Prez, Stacey Abrams and the Fight to Vote, Susan Buckley, Teacher's March, Traci N. Todd, Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom, Veronica Chambers, Voice of Freedom, Voting Booth, Walk, Winsome Bringham
• Descriptors: WOW Dozen