You Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People

You Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People

Elizabeth Rusch
$9.99
Publication Date: March 31st, 2020
Publisher:
Greenwillow Books
ISBN:
9780358387428
Pages:
288
Otto Bookstore
1 on hand, as of Apr 26 9:15pm
(Children : Young Adult )
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Description

A 2021 YALSA EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FINALIST

America is the greatest democracy in the world . . . isn't it? Author Elizabeth Rusch examines some of the more problematic aspects of our government but, more importantly, offers ways for young people to fix them.

The political landscape has never been so tumultuous: issues with the electoral college, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and a lack of representation in the polls and in our leadership have led to Americans of all ages asking, How did we get here?

The power to change lies with the citizens of this great country—especially teens! Rather than pointing fingers at people and political parties, You Call This Democracy? looks at flaws in the system—and offers a real way out of the mess we are in. Each chapter breaks down a different problem plaguing American democracy, exploring how it’s undemocratic, offering possible solutions (with examples of real-life teens who have already started working toward them), and suggesting ways to effect change—starting NOW!

About the Author

Elizabeth Rusch is the author of You Call This Democracy?, a finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, and more than a dozen acclaimed children’s books, including picture books, middle grade, fiction, nonfiction, and a graphic novel. In a starred review Kirkus called her book The 21: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change a “nail-biting account of a still-unresolved landmark case.” She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family.

Praise for You Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People

“You Call This Democracy gives us a clear look at the problems we face in our politics today, from voter suppression to gerrymandering to sorting through the noise of partisanship. Most importantly, it provides a road map for how we can come together and use our power as citizens to fix them. As we enter into an election year where nothing less than the fate of our republic is at stake, this book is an important read for anyone interested in our politics.”—Hillary Rodham Clinton   "Fascinating....Like many well-executed books written for smart teenagers, YOU CALL THIS DEMOCRACY? is enlightening for adults as well.”—The New York Times Book Review   ★ "Rusch unites a passion for democracy with a belief in the power of young people to help restore it. A riveting must-read."—Kirkus, STARRED review    "[A]n elucidating call to action, one chock full of engaging explanations, examples, charts, graphs, quotes, and names of activist groups focused on revising politically charged plots to undermine democratic processes."—Booklist   "[A] sprawling, information-rich exploration of the current state of American democracy."—School Library Journal —