It’s voting season, the best time to read How to Win an Election: A Most Unreliable Guide! I would argue, however, that any time is a good time to read the book because it’s hilarious, light, and fun.
When Sachin is disqualified from standing for the middle school elections, he does the next best thing. He becomes the campaign manager for his best friend Mini. He comes up with the best ideas. Taco Tuesday!
A new snazzy name for Mini–eM!
A rap song!
Unfortunately, someone is out to sabotage their campaign.
A lizard–whose species Sachin recognises–soils a competitor’s nomination papers.
A rap song maligning another candidate is written on the bathroom mirror.
Everything is carefully chosen to frame Mini and Sachin, right up to the time that Mini is disqualified too.
The duo must clear their names, and they engage in undercover spying, a little bit of lying, and a chase to unravel the web of lies and deceit.
What I loved most about How to Win an Election is the vivid, precocious (but not annoying) characters–over the top, yet believable. Peppered with wild accusations, exaggerated villainy and high-strung youngsters, each page sparkles with humour. The illustrations by Pia Alizé Hazarika add to the hilarity too, with hyperbolic election posters and slogans.
Adding to all this, we have tongue-in-cheek takes on feminism, mansplaining, anti-capitalism, mental health, and so much more, making the entire book a wholesome, fun read.
| Title | How to Win an Election: A Most Unreliable Guide |
| Author | Menaka Raman |
| Tags | Middle Grade, Humour, School Stories |
| Rating (out of 5) | 4.5 |
| Ages | 10+ |
I’ve enjoyed other books by Menaka Raman too!
- Passepartout, Is That You? (early chapter book, on my list of favourite picture books from 2023)
- The Great Escape (chapter book)
- Loki Takes Guard (young adult book, one of my favourite YA books from 2021)
- Nanammal and Kamalathal (picture book series, on my list of favourite picture books from 2021)
Also, a plug–if you’re looking for another book about voting, give my chapter book, Dhara’s Revolution, a shot!
Leave a Reply