Grace goes to Washington

Grace, a young brown-skinned girl, found out about elections in Grace for President (2008). Here one of her focuses is how the branches of government work together (at least, in this picture book!). There are two plotlines: First, Grace, along with the rest of the student council, must decide how to use the bake sale money. Some want new library books or sports equipment, while the principal would like an upgrade on musical instruments. Second, Grace's class is taking a trip to Washington, D.C., where they visit Congress, take a tour of the White House, and look at the Supreme Court. But it's words from Martin Luther King Jr. about making a kinder world that inspire her to come up with a new idea for a friendship mall. Sometimes using the three branches to correlate with what's happening at the school seems forced, especially since the court never comes into play. But the back matter provides all the relevant information, leaving the story, populated by a diverse group of kids, to explore real-life issues.--Ilene Cooper Copyright 2019 Booklist

Grace learns about the branches of government and uses a democratic process at school to make their community a kinder place.Grace can't wait for her class trip to Washington, D.C. But that's not the only thing happening at school. The bake sale was a success, and the student council is charged with deciding how to spend the money. Various classroom representatives and committees have suggestions, as does Principal Prez. Should they buy new library books, musical instruments, or sports equipment? Sam likens the student-government system to the national government, with an executive branch (Principal Prez) and a legislative branch (the elected leaders on the student council). The class has an inspiring trip to Washington, D.C., but back at school, everyone is still arguing over how to spend the money. Grace notices a new student sitting alone, and when she sees his sketchpad, she gets an idea. They collaborate on a proposal for a "Friendship Mall," and voting day becomes a time for unity instead of fighting. The text effectively ties together the story's threads while using child-friendly parallels to familiarize readers with the branches of government. Pham's characteristically exuberant illustrations depict a diverse school community in which learning, leadership, and kindness coexist. Grace herself is a black girl with locs, Sam presents white, the new boy is South Asian, and Principal Prez also has brown skin.A layered story with educational and entertainment appeal. (author's note, suggested activities, chart of checks and balances) (Picture book. 6-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.