Book Review: Vote for Effie – Laura Wood

Title: Vote for Effie
Author: Laura Wood
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication date: 3rd January 2019

Synopsis

The last thing Effie Kostas needs right now is to be running a high-stakes campaign for Student Council President against the most popular boy in school. But she’s not about to sit quietly by in the face of great injustice – so the race is on.
With the help of a band of misfits, a whole lot of glitter glue and an angry parrot, can Effie deft the odds and win the election?
And can one girl really make a difference?
Taken from Vote for Effie

Review

For some strange reason, when I put in a request to Scholastic for a copy for a copy of Vote for Effie, I hadn’t made the connection of Laura Wood being the author of A Sky Painted Gold. As strange as it is, I’m quite glad of not having made the connection because I didn’t go into this book with any preconceived ideas or expectations.

Effie is facing one of the toughest experiences a young person can go through. She has to start in a new school and make friends. She is intelligent, outspoken, and empowered young woman – but not everyone appreciates her qualities. She quickly has a run in with Aaron Davis who turns out to be the Junior Class President. A stickler for justice and fairness, Effie decides to take action and stand against him in the elections.

I felt a connection with Effie immediately. When I was in secondary school I was opinionated (still am!) and had no interest in doing what was seen to be socially normal in order to fit in. I wanted to be me. I felt proud of Effie’s determinism and also by the band of friends she forms who stand by her no matter what.

There is a broad range of characters whom I could write about all day but I’ve decided just to pick out a few of my favourites.

Effie’s Dad works at home so he’s around to take care of his family, including the cooking and cleaning. I am always amazed at how many people think men are incapable of such things which is absolute tosh!

Iris lives next door. She might’ve had her fair share of years on the planet but she’s got a fire in her belly and speaks from experience when demanding equality. Iris is a reminder that the older members of our society have a lot to offer and were young once.

Lil is Effie’s sister and is one of my favourite characters based purely on the fact she is so sassy. She’ll give you an honest opinion even if you don’t want it.

The character development is phenomenal for a middle-grade book with fewer than 300 pages. Everyone has something to offer and it doesn’t shy away from the fact that there are some nice people in the world, and some who are less nice (possibly down to their own insecurities).

For me, Vote for Effie is a stand-out book because it offers a rationale for equal rights, equal opportunities, and an appreciation for diversity. It serves as a wonderful introduction to young people about female empowerment but also reminds us that the way forward is for everyone, regardless of gender, to work together and create a better tomorrow.

Many thanks to Scholastic for providing a copy of this book for an exchange for an honest review.

About the author

Laura Wood is author of Vote for Effie, A Sky Painted Gold, and the Poppy Pym series. You can find Laura on Twitter.

Pre-order now

If you’d like to pre-order a copy of Vote for Effie, you can do so from the following retailers:

Amazon UK
The Book Depository

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