About This Book:
A moving look at a Black family’s journey to exercise their right to vote and imagine a better future.
Charlie and Ralph’s mom has waited a long time to vote because countless obstacles have been put in Black people’s way to stop them from having a say in elections—obstacles that it took a lot of hard work to tear down. But now, in 1969, Madear is going to vote for the very first time, and the boys are coming along on this exciting day. A day that puts a new bounce in their mom’s step, and enables them all to begin to dream of a better future.
Wade Hudson and Don Tate give young readers a warm family story as well as a powerful glimpse into the struggle that had to be waged to achieve a fundamental right of citizenship.
*Review Contributed By Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer*
An important lesson for young citizens
The illustrations get the details of the 1960s correct, and Madear’s outfit somehow made me think of the rebooted Wonder Years television show that portrays the experiences of a Black family in Montgomery, Alabama during this time period. There’s something about the clothing and the house that particularly ring true. Don’t forget the plaid pants on some of the voters!
An end note says that this is loosely based on one family’s experience, and gives more information about the historical period.
As we approach another presidential election cycle, it’s important to teach young future voters the importance of making their voice heard. Keep The Day Madear Voted in heavy rotation for nightly read alouds along with Todd’s Stacey Abrams and the Fight to Vote, Winter and Evan’s Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to make sure that children grow up and fulfill their civic duty. Add Rockcliff’s Around America to Win the Right to Vote, if you want to also include Women’s Suffrage before 1920; my grandmother was 27 before she could vote for the first time, so it is not a right that I ever take lightly!
