CurriConnects Book List - By the People
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By the People
"Government of the people, by the people, and for the people..." Being a U.S. citizen requires learning how our government works and taking part in that process. These books include topics such as what it means to be a citizen, how our government works, and the tough decisions that people make -- both citizens and those who work in government. Discover books related to civics topics such as voting, lawmaking, law enforcement, and the underlying principles of democracy. The collection includes both true and fictional tales about communities and government, as well as books for all grade levels. Encourage students to select books for independent reading from this list as part of a citizenship unit, as a focus for Constitution Day, or in a civics/government class.
Preschool and Picture Books
Amelia Bedelia's First Vote - Herman Parish, (978-0062094063), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 490
When Amelia Bedelia gets named "principal for the day," her first order of business is organizing a class vote to decide the day's activities—will it be cupcakes for lunch or a visit from a real fire truck? Full of Amelia's trademark literal mix-ups, the story gives young readers a fun, hands-on introduction to voting and elections.
Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles - Mara Rockliff, (978-1536208368), Non-fiction
Interest level: K-3, Lexile: 750
In 1916, suffragists Nell Richardson and Alice Burke set off on a 10,000-mile road trip across America in a bright yellow car—with a black kitten named Saxon as their mascot—to spread the message of women's voting rights to towns big and small.
City Green - DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan, (978-0688127862), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 480
When a vacant, trash-filled lot on her city block becomes an eyesore, young Marcy rallies her neighbors to transform it into a thriving community garden. Along the way, she wins over a grumpy neighbor and shows how a shared green space can bring a diverse block together.
Dixie and the Good Deeds - Grace Gilman, (978-0062086570), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 490
When Emma signs up for a school project to volunteer around the community, she gets so excited that she takes on far more than she can handle. It's up to her loyal puppy, Dixie, to step in and help save the day.
Double Trouble #2 (The Doodles of Sam Dibble) - Judy Press, (978-0448461083), Fiction
Interest level: 1-3
When class election time arrives, third-grader Sam Dibble—known more for his doodles, burping, and worm-eating antics than his leadership skills—decides to run for president, promising perks like pizza every day. To win over his classmates, he has to prove there's more to him than just doodling.
Duck for President - Doreen Cronin, (978-0689863776), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: AD680
Tired of doing chores on Farmer Brown's farm, Duck decides to run for office instead, winning election after election—farm leader, governor, and eventually President—only to discover that every job comes with its own headaches. In the end, he learns that the grass isn't always greener, and heads back to the farm with a newfound appreciation for home.
Grace for President - Kelly DiPucchio, (978-1423139997), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 570
Grace learns that there has never been a female president. She vows to become the first and starts with her school’s mock election. When she runs against a male classmate who claims to be the “best man for the job,” she becomes more determined to win.
Grace Goes to Washington - Kelly DiPucchio, (978-1368024334), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: AD710
Grace and her classmates take a field trip to Washington, D.C., to learn more about the government. She learns how the government works and how laws are made, but she also learns how to serve people.
I Am America - Charles Smith, (978-0439431798), Non-fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 290
Through vibrant photographs and a rhythmic, rhyming poem, this book celebrates the many faces, cultures, and styles that make up America's children. It's a joyful, inclusive tribute to diversity, showing kids that being different is part of belonging.
I Could Do That!: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote - Linda Arms White, (978-0374335274), Fiction
Interest level: K-2, Lexile: 780
Read the true story of Esther Morris, a 19th-century pioneer who, denied the right to vote herself, fought to secure voting rights for women in the Wyoming Territory and became the nation's first female justice of the peace. It's an inspiring look at one determined woman's role in a landmark moment for women's suffrage.
I Need My Own Country - Rick Walton, (978-1599905600), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: AD690
Fed up with her annoying little brother, a determined narrator declares independence and founds her own nation, "My Roomania," complete with a flag, currency, and a cabinet of pets. Along the way, she navigates civil unrest and the threat of invasion, learning that even the smallest countries need diplomacy and compromise.
I Voted: Making Choices to Make a Difference - Mark Shulman, (978-0823445615), Non-fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 400
This nonfiction picture book breaks down the basics of voting and democracy for young readers, showing how choices—big and small—shape communities and give everyone a voice. Through simple, relatable examples, the book encourages kids to see decision-making as a foundational part of citizenship.
Make Your Mark, Franklin Roosevelt - Judith St. George, (978-0399241758), Non-fiction
Interest level: 2-5, Lexile: 690
This picture book traces young Franklin Roosevelt's privileged upbringing and the mentors—including a famous uncle and his headmaster at Groton—who convinced him that a life devoted to politics and public service was more meaningful than the sheltered gentleman's life expected of him.
Mom for Mayor - Nancy Edwards, (978-0812627435), Fiction
Interest level: 1-5, Lexile: 630
When his beloved neighborhood park is threatened with sale to developers, fifth-grader Eric hatches a scheme to get his mother elected to city council—forgetting one small detail: actually telling her about it. Amid petitions, rival campaigns, and family mishaps, he learns unexpected lessons about democracy, responsibility, and community.
My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C. - Edward Kennedy, (978-0439650786), Non-fiction
Interest level: 2-5, Lexile: 750
Told from the perspective of Senator Ted Kennedy's dog Splash, this book follows a day in the life of Washington, D.C., as Splash tags along with his owner through the halls of the Senate to see how a bill becomes a law. It offers young readers a playful, first-paw look at how Congress and the legislative process actually work.
Otto Runs for President - Rosemary Wells, (545-037220), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 570
Otto decides to run against two more promising candidates for president of Canine Country Day School, believing he can still win because he knows what the students really want.
President Pennybaker - Kate Feiffer, (978-1416913559), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3
Fed up with life's unfairness—especially never getting to watch TV even after finishing his chores—young Luke Pennybaker decides to run for President of the United States, with his dog Lily as his running mate. His platform of no homework, no bedtime, and endless dessert wins him a landslide victory, but he soon discovers the Oval Office isn't quite as fun as campaigning was.
So You Want to Be President? - Judith St. George, (978-0399243172), Non-fiction
Interest level: 2-5, Lexile: 850
This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book uses humorous anecdotes and caricature illustrations to reveal the quirky, surprising, and very human sides of America's presidents—from their childhoods and jobs before office to their odd habits and personal quirks.
The Berenstain Bears and Mama for Mayor - Jan Berenstain, (978-0062075277), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 460
When Mama Bear decides to run for mayor of Bear Country, she takes on the town's biggest problems while showing her family what it means to serve the community. It's a fun, encouraging story about civic responsibility and standing up for what you believe in.
The Park Our Town Built - Diane Gonzales Bertrand, (978-1936299126), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3
When the town's mayor sets out to build a community park, she rallies a group of children to convince a local landowner to donate space, and soon the whole town joins in building swings, gardens, and a fountain together. Told in a cumulative, "House That Jack Built" style, it celebrates cooperation as neighbors come together to finish the park with a joyful picnic and fireworks.
The Very Silly Mayor - Tom Tomorrow, (978-1935439011), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 690
In a comic book style, this picture book makes fun of a silly mayor and the community that is afraid to speak out against his zaniness.
Vote for Isaiah: A Citizenship Story - Anastasia Suen, (978-1602702745), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 390
When Isaiah decides to run for a seat on his third-grade student council, he and his friend Omar learn some tricky lessons about fair play after Omar suggests tearing down a rival's campaign poster. Set in Miss K's classroom, the story explores citizenship, cooperation, and doing the right thing even when winning is on the line.
Vote for Me! - Ben Clanton, (978-1554538225), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 530
A Donkey and an Elephant both declare themselves the obvious choice to be Best Animal, going head-to-head with escalating campaign promises and antics to win votes. Their rivalry pokes gentle fun at the absurdities of political campaigning until they both learn a lesson to work together rather than just compete.
Vote for Me! - Jean Robertson, (978-1618103161), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 380
When Priscilla Pony organizes her classmates to make campaign posters for their new school president, teamwork turns the job into a success. This early-level reader introduces young students to the basics of elections and to working together toward a shared goal.
Vote! - Eileen Christelow, (978-0547059730), Non-fiction
Interest level: 1-4, Lexile: 420
Following two neighboring families—one supporting a Democratic candidate, the other a Republican—this picture book walks readers through the ins and outs of a local election, from campaigning and debates to casting ballots and counting votes. It offers a lively, kid-friendly introduction to how democracy and the voting process actually work.
We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States - David Catrow, (978-1613837672), Non-fiction
Interest level: K-3
A group of kids sets off on a rollicking backyard adventure that playfully illustrates each phrase of the Constitution's Preamble, from "forming a more perfect union" to "securing the blessings of liberty." Through whimsical illustrations, it makes the founding document's big ideas accessible and fun for young readers.
What Presidents Are Made Of - Hanoch Piven, (978-1442444331), Non-fiction
Interest level: 1-5, Lexile: 980
Using everyday objects like blue jeans, boxing gloves, and even a marshmallow for a nose, artist Hanoch Piven "builds" playful collage portraits of America's presidents, from George Washington to Barack Obama. Each portrait is paired with a revealing anecdote, making this a witty, memorable introduction to presidential history and personality.
Wilky, The White House Cockroach - Howie Schneider, (399-243887), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3
Bored with life at Oscar's Pizza Palace, an adventurous young cockroach named Wilky stows away in a pizza box and winds up in the Oval Office, setting off a madcap chase involving the President's staff, cabinet officials, and even the Exterminator General.
Middle Grade Books
Act - Kayla Miller, (978-0358206354), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 540
Olive is starting the sixth grade and is unhappy about a school field trip policy. She decides to run for class president against two of her best friends. She strives to win the election, change the policy, and keep her friends.
Adam Canfield of the Slash - Michael Winerip, (978-0763627942), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 830
Middle school newspaper writers discover corruption in their local government and school while researching stories for their newspaper.
Arlene on the Scene - Carol Liu, (978-1934572542), Fiction
Interest level: 3-5, Lexile: 730
Determined to become the youngest student government officer in her school's history, fourth-grader Arlene—who wears leg braces due to a congenital disease—runs a spirited campaign against a rival clique, only to discover along the way that her own snap judgments about others need as much rethinking as anyone else's.
Changes for Julie - Megan Mcdonald, (978-1593693541), Fiction
Interest level: 3-4, Lexile: 710
After landing in detention for helping a deaf classmate named Joy follow along in class, Julie decides to run for student body president to change the unfair detention system, choosing Joy as her running mate despite classmates who scoff at the unlikely pair—and winning the election through persistence without ever compromising her principles.
Cheesie Mack Is Running Like Crazy - Steve Cotler, (978-0307977137), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 690
Cheesie Mack decides to run for class president but steps aside to manage his best friend Georgie's campaign instead, all while juggling cross-country tryouts, a prank-filled sibling rivalry with his older sister, and his first inklings that girls might be worth talking to.
Citizenship - Jason Skog, (978-1429613316), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-9, Lexile: 750
This book uses irreverent cartoon illustrations and concise text to explain what it means to be a U.S. citizen, covering voting rights, the naturalization process, and the benefits and responsibilities that come with citizenship.
Class President - Johanna Hurwitz, (978-0688091149), Fiction
Interest level: 4-8, Lexile: 650
While quietly running his best friend Lucas's campaign for fifth-grade class president against front-runner Cricket Kaufman, Julio keeps demonstrating his own natural leadership—organizing a fundraiser, standing up to the principal—until his classmates nominate him at the last minute, leaving him torn between loyalty and an unexpected shot at the job himself.
Eighth-Grade Superzero - Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, (978-0545097253), Fiction
Interest level: 5-8, Lexile: 640
This funny novel follows Reggie McKnight, a Brooklyn eighth-grader stuck with the humiliating nickname "Pukey," as he navigates friendship, family struggles, and an unlikely run for school president while discovering his own capacity for social responsibility and self-belief.
For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and Why it Matters - Jeff Foster, (978-1338643084), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 1130
This book breaks down how the American government actually works—from the Constitution and the three branches to the Electoral College and political parties—while tracing the history of key moments such as the Declaration of Independence and the civil rights struggles that have shaped the nation.
If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House - Jane O'Connor, (978-0689868634), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 830
This lively book walks readers chronologically through presidential families from Washington to George W. Bush, using cartoon-style illustrations and quirky anecdotes (like Lincoln's sons keeping pet goats or Taft's oversized bathtub) to bring the history of the White House to life.
Long Shot - Mike Lupica, (978-0142415207), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 910
Pedro and his basketball prowess challenge a very popular student in the running for class president.
Madam President - Nancy Krulik, (978-0439025560), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 610
When her friends learn that Jenny's former best friend—now one of the popular "Pops"—is running unopposed for sixth-grade class president, they convince the reluctant Jenny to run against her to keep the Pops from taking over the school.
Majority Rules and Minority Rights - Julia McMeans, (978-1502631985), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 950
This book teaches readers about how the majority controls the United States government, but the minority still has rights.
Mayor Hubble is in Trouble - Dan Gutman, (978-0062042132), Fiction
Interest level: 1-5, Lexile: 580
With Election Day approaching, third-graders A.J. and Andrea face off as rival candidates for class president, and the newly freed Mayor Hubble stops by Ella Mentry School to teach the kids the ins and outs of politics along the way.
Operation Clean Sweep - Darleen Beard, (978-0374380342), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 610
When twelve-year-old Cornelius discovers his mother is secretly running for mayor against his own father, he's torn between family loyalty and his growing belief in the women's suffragist cause sweeping through his 1916 Oregon town.
President of the Whole Fifth Grade - Sherri Winston, (978-0316114332), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 730
Inspired by her celebrity chef idol's success, fifth-grader Brianna Justice decides that becoming class president is her first step toward a cupcake-baking empire, but a fierce new rival forces her to decide whether to run a clean campaign or fight dirty to win.
R is for Rebel - J. Anderson Coats, (978-1481496681), Fiction
Interest level: 5-8, Lexile: 900
With her parents imprisoned for resisting the empire that conquered her homeland, Malley is captured and sent to a national school meant to strip away her native identity and reshape her into an obedient subject. Determined not to break, she rallies her fellow students to resist in their own quiet ways, sparking a rebellion the government never saw coming.
Riding Freedom - Pam Munoz Ryan, (978-0439087964), Fiction
Interest level: 4-7, Lexile: 720
Based on the true story of Charlotte "Charley" Parkhurst, this novel follows an orphaned girl in the 1800s who disguises herself as a boy to escape a bleak future, becoming a celebrated stagecoach driver in the Old West and eventually the first woman known to vote in a U.S. presidential election.
Seedfolks - Paul Fleischman, (978-0590511902), Fiction
Interest level: 4-8, Lexile: 710
Told through the voices of thirteen residents of a rundown Cleveland neighborhood, this novel follows the transformation of a vacant, trash-filled lot into a thriving community garden that brings together people of vastly different ages, cultures, and backgrounds.
That's Not Fair!: Getting to Know Your Rights and Freedoms - Danielle McLaughlin, (978-1771382083), Fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 830
Through six lighthearted stories starring bumbling Mayor Moe and his City Council—whose well-meaning new laws always backfire—this book introduces core democratic rights and freedoms, from privacy to free speech, while encouraging people to weigh all sides of each issue for themselves.
The Campaign - Leila Sales, (978-1419739743), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 720
Maddie loves art class. When she learns that a local political candidate wants to cut the school’s art program, she convinces an adult close to her to run for Mayor. She instantly becomes the campaign manager and learns about the campaign process.
The Election-Day Disaster - Ron Roy, (978-0375848056), Fiction
Interest level: 1-4, Lexile: 550
With the presidential election just a week away, KC and her best friend Marshall wake up to find someone has posted digitally doctored photos online meant to smear the president's reputation. Living near the White House, the young sleuths race to uncover who's behind the scheme before the damaging images can sway the vote.
The Kid Who Became President - Dan Gutman, (978-0545442145), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 690
At just twelve years old, Judson Moon becomes the youngest President of the United States after a savvy campaign built on lowering the voting age, and now he must navigate the real challenges of governing—including a kidnapping plot and an assassination attempt—all while still being a kid. It's a fast-paced, humorous sequel to "The Kid Who Ran for President" that explores what it might actually be like for a child to hold the nation's highest office.
The Kid Who Ran for President - Dan Gutman, (978-0545442138), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 730
Twelve-year-old Judson Moon decides, on a whim, to run for President of the United States, and with the help of his friends managing his campaign, his outsider bid unexpectedly starts gaining real traction against the seasoned political establishment.
The Misfits - James Howe, (978-0689839566), Fiction
Interest level: 5-8, Lexile: 960
A group of outsider students bands together to form a third-party movement representing all school students who have been bullied.
The Relocation of the North American Indian - Don Nardo, (978-0737709544), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: 1240
This book traces the centuries-long campaign by European colonizers and later the U.S. government to force Native American tribes off their ancestral lands and onto reservations, documenting broken treaties, tribal warfare, and devastating episodes like the Trail of Tears.
Vote (Liar Liar) - Gary Paulsen, (978-0385742283), Fiction
Interest level: 4-7, Lexile: 820
Fourteen-year-old Kevin Spencer, eager to impress his girlfriend, decides to run for student-body president against the smooth, handsome Cash Devine, leading to a comically chaotic campaign full of scheming and self-doubt about whether he's really cut out for the job.
Vote 4 Amelia - Marissa Moss, (978-1416927891), Fiction
Interest level: 4-7, Lexile: 680
When Amelia's best friend Carly runs for student body president and Amelia joins the race for secretary, campaign excitement quickly turns sour as someone tears down Carly's posters and her opponent starts spreading vicious rumors, leaving Amelia to fight for her friend's reputation before the votes are counted.
Vote!: The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez - Diana Gallagher, (978-1434208668), Fiction
Interest level: 4-8, Lexile: 400
When her honest, smart friend Peter decides to run for seventh-grade class president, Claudia signs on as his campaign manager, determined to prove that a clean campaign can beat out rivals who resort to bribes, stolen ideas, and empty promises.
Young Adult and Adult Books
11/22/63 - Stephen King, (978-1451627299), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12, Lexile: 810
When high school teacher Jake Epping discovers a portal to 1958, he embarks on a mission to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, only to find that changing history comes with dangerous and unforeseen consequences.
All the King's Men - Robert Penn Warren, (978-0156012959), Fiction
Interest level: 11-12, Lexile: 1130
This novel traces the rise and fall of Willie Stark, a charismatic Southern politician whose populist idealism curdles into ruthless corruption, as told through the eyes of his disillusioned aide, Jack Burden.
All the President's Men - Bob Woodward, (978-0671894412), Non-fiction
Interest level: 9-12, Lexile: 1010
This book reads like a mystery novel, but it is the true story of how Nixon came to be removed from office and how the nation learned about the giant cover-up called Watergate; the presence and power of the national press were a big factor in Nixon's demise.
Amendment XIV: Citizenship for All - Jeff Hay, ed., (978-0737741247), Non-fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This book presents a collection of primary and secondary source essays exploring the debates surrounding the Fourteenth Amendment, examining how it defined citizenship for freed slaves and continues to shape controversies over birthright citizenship, naturalization, and immigration today.
America Gone Wild - Ted Rall, (740-760459), Non-fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This collection gathers acclaimed political cartoonist Ted Rall's most provocative and controversial work, tackling hot-button issues from 9/11 and the Iraq War to unemployment, religion, and the environment with biting satire and behind-the-scenes commentary.
Americapedia: Taking the Dumb out of Freedom - Andisheh Nouraee, (978-0802797933), Non-fiction
Interest level: YA
This humorous, illustrated guide breaks down the basics of American government and politics (covering elections, the economy, world religions, and global conflicts) in an entertaining format.
Barack Obama: The Comic Book Biography - Jeff Mariotte, (978-1600105302), Fiction
Interest level: YA
This graphic novel biography traces Barack Obama's journey from his childhood and early influences through his historic election as the 44th President of the United States, using comic-style illustrations.
Campaign Chaos - Melanie Stewart, (978-0613277570), Fiction
Interest level: 7-9
Nichelle is managing the political campaign for a member of a campus group, although she does not totally believe he can defeat another candidate with more experience.
Christian Nation: A Novel - Frederic Rich, (978-0393240115), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This alternate-history novel imagines a dystopian America where the death of President McCain leads to Sarah Palin's presidency and a chilling descent into authoritarian Christian theocracy, dismantling constitutional protections and civil liberties in the process.
City of Refuge - Tom Piazza, (978-0061673610), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This novel follows two New Orleans families (one Black, one white) as Hurricane Katrina devastates their city and scatters their lives across the country, offering a deeply human portrait of survival, loss, and the pull of home in the storm's aftermath.
Eleanor Vs. Ike - Robin Gerber, (978-0061373213), Non-fiction
Interest level: 10-12
When Adlai Stevenson dies unexpectedly at the 1952 Democratic convention, Eleanor Roosevelt is drafted to run for president against war hero Dwight Eisenhower in a fierce, scandal-ridden campaign that reimagines what a female presidential candidacy might have looked like decades before one was possible.
Eventide - Kent Haruf, (978-0375725760), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12
Set in the small town of Holt, Colorado, this novel follows the McPheron brothers and a fragile young family whose struggles draw in the local social services system, offering a quiet, human look at how government caseworkers and community support intersect—and sometimes fall short—when families are in crisis.
Extreme American Makeover - Mitali Perkins, (978-0142411544), Fiction
Interest level: YA
This novel follows Sameera "Sparrow" Righton, the Pakistani-born adopted daughter of a Republican presidential front-runner, as her father's campaign attempts to give her an "all-American" makeover, sending her on a journey to discover her true identity beneath the political spin.
Fall of Giants - Ken Follett, (978-0525951650), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12
Spanning World War I and its aftermath, this sweeping historical epic follows five interconnected families—American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh—as their lives are transformed by war, revolution, and the fight for workers' and women's rights.
First Boy - Gary Schmidt, (805-078592), Fiction
Interest level: 6-9, Lexile: 850
When his grandfather dies, fourteen-year-old Cooper Jewett is left alone to run the family's New Hampshire dairy farm—until mysterious men in black sedans, a burned barn, and sudden attention from a sitting U.S. president thrust him into the middle of a presidential campaign and a shocking mystery about his own hidden identity.
First Class Citizenship: The Civil Rights Letters of Jackie Robinson - Michael Long, (978-0805087109), Non-fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This collection gathers Jackie Robinson's personal correspondence with U.S. presidents, civil rights leaders, and everyday Americans, revealing his passionate, outspoken advocacy for racial equality and civil rights that extended far beyond his groundbreaking career on the baseball field.
Freshman for President - Ally Condie, (978-1590389133), Fiction
Interest level: YA, Lexile: 810
Fifteen-year-old Milo J. Wright, egged on by his best friend Eden, launches an improbable write-in campaign for President of the United States, balancing the growing national attention with school, his lawn-mowing job, and figuring out girls along the way.
Going Going - Naomi Shihab Nye, (978-0688161859), Fiction
Interest level: YA, Lexile: 760
This novel follows high school student Florrie as she becomes a local activist, fighting to save the small, independent shops and unique local character of her San Antonio neighborhood from the encroaching sameness of chain stores and development.
Hope Was Here - Joan Bauer, (978-0142404249), Fiction
Interest level: YA, Lexile: 710
After moving to small-town Wisconsin to help her aunt run a diner, sixteen-year-old Hope finds herself swept into the diner owner's underdog mayoral campaign against a corrupt incumbent, discovering along the way the power of standing up for what's right even when the odds are against you.
In Trouble - Ellen Levine, (978-0761365587), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12, Lexile: 510
Set in 1956, this novel follows best friends Jamie and Elaine as they each face unplanned pregnancies and navigate the limited, often painful options available to teenage girls in the decades before Roe v. Wade.
It Can't Happen Here - Sinclair Lewis, (978-0451216588), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This satirical novel imagines a charismatic, folksy demagogue winning the U.S. presidency and swiftly transforming the country into a totalitarian, fascist state, serving as a chilling warning about how authoritarianism could take root even in America.
Lincoln - Gore Vidal, (978-0375708763), Fiction
Interest level: 11-12
This historical novel offers a richly detailed, humanizing portrait of Abraham Lincoln during his presidency, exploring the political intrigue, personal struggles, and wartime pressures he navigated as he led the nation through the Civil War.
Lost Lake - Phillip Margolin, (978-0060735043), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
After a shocking outburst of violence at a Little League game exposes her tenant's hidden past, attorney Ami Vergano is drawn into a tangled conspiracy involving a paranoid tabloid reporter, a presidential candidate's General father, and a decades-old secret buried at Lost Lake.
My New American Life - Francine Prose, (617-13767), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This darkly comic novel follows Lula, a twenty-something Albanian immigrant working as a live-in nanny in post-9/11 New Jersey, as she navigates American bureaucracy, suburban culture, and her own tangled past while chasing the elusive American dream.
Notes from the Midnight Driver - Jordan Sonnenblick, (978-0439757812), Fiction
Interest level: YA, Lexile: 850
Alex learns a great deal about community service when his new volunteer job leads to a friendship with an older, cranky man.
Our American King - David Lozell Martin, (978-0743267311), Fiction
Interest level: 11-12
Set in a post-apocalyptic America where a collapsed federal government has left the country in chaos, this novel follows a starving couple who seek out a mysterious, charismatic leader believed to be restoring order and hope—only to watch his benevolent rule spiral toward darker territory as war erupts between his followers and a returning federal government.
Paradise - Toni Morrison, (978-0452280397), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12
Set in the all-Black town of Ruby, Oklahoma, this novel explores the violent clash between the town's insular, patriarchal community and a nearby refuge for women, unraveling questions of race, gender, faith, and the dangers of an isolated utopia.
Rogue Harvest - Danita Maslan, (978-0889953291), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12
In a future Earth still recovering from a devastating plague, gifted musician Jasmine Rochelle hires street-smart Mane Silverstar to hunt down the radical environmental group responsible for assassinating her adoptive father, a politician named Owen Lamberin.
Taft 2012 - Jason Heller, (978-1594745508), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
In this satirical novel, President William Howard Taft mysteriously vanishes in 1913 on the day of his successor's inauguration and reappears a century later, becoming an unlikely political sensation as he navigates the media-driven chaos of a modern-day presidential campaign.
The Book of Fate - Brad Meltzer, (978-1455508167), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This thriller follows former presidential aide Wes Holloway, who discovers years after a devastating assassination attempt that his colleague believed dead is actually alive, plunging him into a deadly conspiracy tied to Freemason history and a two-hundred-year-old code invented by Thomas Jefferson.
The Brethren - John Grisham, (978-0385497466), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12, Lexile: 810
Even prisons have a community, as witnessed by three imprisoned judges who perform small legal tasks for other prisoners and tightly control the "political" happenings of what happens inside and outside the penitentiary walls.
The Citizen's Almanac: Fundamental Documents, Symbols, And Anthems Of The United States - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), (978-0160780271)), Non-fiction
Interest level: 9-12
Developed for new citizens, this non-fiction selection sets out the rights and responsibilities of citizens of all types. It includes authentic documents and information about the historical development of U.S. civics and the Supreme Court.
The Daughters Join the Party - Joanna Philbin, (031-617968), Fiction
Interest level: YA
Emma Conway, the purple-haired, rebellious daughter of a powerful New York state senator, is thrust into the political spotlight after accidentally revealing her father's presidential ambitions on live television.
The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba - Margarita Engle, (978-0805090826), Fiction
Interest level: YA, Lexile: 1230
Told in verse, this novel follows Swedish feminist Fredrika Bremer's real 1851 journey to Cuba, where her growing friendship with an enslaved girl named Cecilia opens her eyes to the brutal realities of slavery even as she champions women's rights.
The High Road - Terry Fallis, (978-0771047879), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
When newly elected engineering-professor-turned-MP Angus McLintock unexpectedly triggers a snap election, his reluctant aide Daniel Addison is roped back into managing the campaign against a notoriously dirty-playing rival, leading to a comic, against-all-odds fight to win on principle alone.
The Race - Richard North Patterson, (805-079483), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This story follows Corey Grace, a maverick Republican senator and decorated Gulf War pilot, as a fierce presidential primary battle—complicated by his romance with an African-American movie star and a scandal buried in his past—forces him to confront the ruthless realities of race, religion, and power in American politics.
The Revisionists - Thomas Mullen, (316-176729), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
This literary thriller follows Zed, an agent from a peaceful future, who is sent back to present-day Washington, D.C. to secretly ensure that history unfolds exactly as it did—including its tragedies—by stopping other time travelers from altering the past.
The Run - Stuart Woods, (978-0061711572), Fiction
Interest level: 10-12
When a Georgia senator's respected career suddenly propels him toward a presidential run, Will Lee and his CIA-director wife must navigate treacherous political rivals and clandestine enemies determined to stop him by any means necessary.
The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction - Donald Ritchie, (978-0195150070), Non-fiction
Interest level: 10-12
Written by a congressional historian of more than thirty years, this concise guide takes readers behind the scenes of Capitol Hill, translating parliamentary procedure into plain English and explaining how committees, campaigns, lobbying, and coalition-building actually shape the legislative process.
Time of Courage - Anne Schraff, (978-1616512705), Fiction
Interest level: 7-10, Lexile: 630
Ernesto is torn about whom to support in the upcoming city council election because he knows which candidate is more honest. Still, his girlfriend's family's incumbent candidate is closer to him despite the incumbent's corruption.
Vote for Larry - Janet Tashjian, (978-0307234612), Fiction
Interest level: YA, Lexile: 810
Larry, who had disappeared in a previous book in this series, "Gospel According to Larry," returns after a friend finds him; he subsequently decides to run for U.S. President to change laws for youth and promote more voters to be active citizens.
With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Vote - Ann Bausum, (978-0792276470), Non-fiction
Interest level: YA, Lexile: 1080
Read about the history of the formation of the Woman's Party and the eventual enactment of the historic 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote in the U.S.