A Book Review: ‘The Voting Booth’ by Brandy Colbert

Voting is a civic duty that Marva Sheridan takes seriously. She has canvassed neighborhoods, mobilized groups, and done everything in her power to ensure everyone who is eligible gets out the vote. Duke Crenshaw is also aware of the importance of voting. He just isn’t as excited about the activity. To be frank, he just wants to get it over with so he can meet up with his band for their first paying gig. The two worlds collide when Marva hears of Duke’s inability to vote. Thus begins a whirlwind of a day that leads us around in one big circle. Brandy Colbert packs everything she can into The Voting Booth.

What A Day!

When I opened this book, I expected a few things. First, I expected the storyline to revolve around an election. Second, I expected there to be complications with voting. Third, I expected the challenges to work themselves out by the end of the book. What I did not expect was a love story combined with other sub-storylines. 

First, we have Marva. She is confident yet concerned about the way she may be perceived. Marva attends an upscale private school where she is one of few Black students. She has a boyfriend who, until voting day, she views as a godsend. And then, there is the cat. Selma, publicly known as Eartha Kitty, is an entire mood who rallies the neighborhood when she runs away. Even people who may not break bread together at a dinner table come together to find the Internet-famous feline. 

Then, there is Duke. He attends public school and is still grieving the tragic death of his brother. Duke literally towers over people as he is extremely tall. He plays the drums in a rock band and is more laid back about everything when compared to Marva. Still, Duke isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said when it needs to be said. 

Bringing two unlikely characters together for a day of voting doesn’t seem like a story worth nearly 300 pages. Yet, Brandy Colbert makes it work. The author gives us back stories that tell us why we should care about the things that concern our main characters. Thus, we are willing to hang tight for a crazy ride that includes two polling locations and everyone else in between.

About Alec

One person in between the madness of voting day is Marva’s boyfriend, Alec. At first, it appears Alec is nothing more than an entitled boy who doesn’t understand the importance of voting. He’ll be fine regardless of how the election turns out. Taking a closer look at his character is necessary to see the true Alec that Marva has refused to see.

Alec is controlling. He follows Marva to the beach and basically stalks her while she’s taking a break at the ocean with Duke. He accuses her of cheating on him when she breaks off the relationship and plays the victim as well. Alec doesn’t actually want to be with Marva. He, however, is too much of a coward to say anything. He consistently does things to portray her as the “Angry Black Woman” all while maintaining his image as the gentle, loveable one. 

In reality, Alec is the type of boy you tell your daughter to stay away from. He is self-absorbed and a fraud. It takes Duke in all of his realness to help Marva see the light. 

Julian

And then, there is Julian. We get to know Julian through Duke’s memories since the young activist’s life was cut short by gun violence. 

Julian turned down an opportunity to study at Morehouse College because of his passion for helping the community. Unlike Alec, Julian was not all about himself but aware that other people live on planet Earth. He worked to bring peace to his community by seeking unity among opposing parties. We can’t say for sure that this is what got Julian killed, but we do know that he was murdered by those he aimed to help. 

Marva and Duke Forever

Amidst a dying relationship with Alec comes the budding relationship between Marva and Duke. Both teens know they like each other. They definitely want to be an item. But the timing couldn’t be more wrong. 

Duke doesn’t want to ask Marva for a date right after she breaks it off with “her dude.” Meanwhile, Marva doesn’t want to commit to someone she just met. It takes Ida, Duke’s little sister, and a man named Clive to tell them what they need to hear: Marva and Duke are made for each other. 

YA and Up

The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert is a great read for a Young Adult (YA) audience and even Middle Grade kids. The author does a great job of handling big issues, such as police corruption and voter suppression, so that young people understand the urgency and need for change without being fearful or filled with rage.