• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Key Selling Points

• This book will give young readers the tools to think critically about civic engagement and why voting matters around the world.
• Voter turnout is at an all-time low, with 44% of eligible Americans not voting in the last presidential election and 34% of eligible Canadians not casting a ballot in the last federal election.
• This book tackles timely issues, including racism and voter suppression, gerrymandering, accessible voting, vote-rigging, lowering the voting age and voting reform.
• Research shows that if you get kids engaged early, they are more likely to vote for the rest of their lives.
• Elizabeth MacLeod is an award-winning author with a track record of writing about politics and government for young people.

Liz is one nosy author, which is why she loves writing non-fiction. She’s very curious about why people do what they do, and likes sharing with kids the amazing facts and secrets that she uncovers.As a kid in Thornhill, Ontario, the idea of being a writer never crossed Liz’s mind—she figured most authors were already dead and they definitely weren’t Canadian. Besides, it was science that interested Liz.But writing was already part of Liz’s life. After dinner on school nights, Liz and her two brothers would trudge up to their rooms, close their doors and start to do their homework—or so their parents thought. A few minutes later, a piece of paper would come sliding under Liz’s door. One of her brothers had drawn a picture, usually of some weird creature.Liz really couldn’t draw (still can’t!), so the only way she could respond was to write a short story, often about a mad scientist or space alien. She would slip the story under her brother’s door and—well, not a lot of homework got done.At university, Liz studied sciences—there was hardly any writing involved at all. But after university, she was hired as an editor at OWL magazine, where she could combine writing and her love of science. But it wasn’t long before Liz had a goal: to write a book. Her first one was about lions and since then she’s written more than fifty others.Royal Murder: The Deadly Intrigue of Ten Sovereigns (2008) is one of her favourite books because royalty has always fascinated Liz. She loved going behind the scenes with monarchs from Cleopatra to Dracula to find out just what they would do to hold onto power or protect their families.Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History’s Mysteries (2013) was the winner of numerous awards, including the Crime Writers of Canada 2014 Arthur Ellis Award in the Juvenile/YA category. Liz’s latest book with Annick Press, Galloping Through History: Incredible True Horse Stories (Spring 2015), combines, once again, her outstanding storytelling skills with her passion for history. This time her love of animals also shines through as she recounts the stories of six horses that changed the way humans live, travel, fight, work, and play.Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their cat Cosimo. While she writes, he is usually sprawled across her desk—often right on the book she needs for research!

Elizabeth MacLeod's profile page

Emily Chu is a Chinese illustrator and visual artist residing in Amiskwaciwâskahikan/Treaty 6 territory (Edmonton). Her illustrations have received awards from 3x3, American Illustration and Applied Arts, among others. Outside of commercial illustration, Emily is passionate about engaging in community-centered art initiatives, whether it be celebrating heritage through visual storytelling, uplifting businesses in Chinatown or helping to organize art markets to support the local arts community. Emily also currently serves on the Edmonton Arts Council Equity Committee.

Emily Chu's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

“Surprising facts accompanied by descriptive photographs capture the attention of readers, young and old…Highly recommended for public and school library collections.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

“Well-written and informative…Both educational and inspiring. Highly recommended for young readers who want to learn about the voting process and making change. Also, a good choice for the social studies classroom.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“A novel approach to the subject…An excellent primer on the importance of elections. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Informative and interesting…For readers between ages 9-12, but the information could easily be useful for older readers as well—including adults pursuing ESL who want to learn about the voting process or teachers of civics and citizenship classes. Highly Recommended.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)