by Ani DiFranco
First published 2024
A young girl walks into her neighborhood polling station alongside her mother, stepping into a world she has never seen before. The familiar faces of her community gather in this shared space, each person participating in the same quiet ritual. Her mother explains the weight and meaning of what they are doing, helping her daughter understand why this moment matters. The girl feels her emotions shift from anticipation to anxiety and finally to something stronger. She watches ordinary people make their choices, realizing she is witnessing something that connects everyone around her. Through her eyes, the simple act of voting becomes a lesson in belonging to something larger than herself. The experience teaches her about duty, community, and the power that comes from showing up when it counts.
Genres: american, political-science, contemporary, activism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
48 pages · Hardcover · Rise x Penguin Workshop