Younger readers might find the language in Vote For Effie difficult at points, as she’s a highly intelligent character and uses words that you don’t often find in middle-grade novels. Seeing a character who cares about school getting respect rather than ridicule is refreshing. Effie stands up for herself without hesitation, and her determined approach to the election attracts supporters very quickly. I shouldn’t have let other people’s attitudes change mine, because it’s cool to care!Įffie Kostas is exactly the kind of strong-minded female character I wish I’d read when I was younger, and Vote For Effie is a book which would have had a really positive impact on me. I acted derisively towards anyone who felt passionate about school issues, and that’s something which I really regret now that I’m older. When I was at school I was one of those people who pretended not to care about anything because it wasn’t cool. I borrowed Vote For Effie from the library on a whim because it had an interesting cover, and I’m so glad I did.

Effie decides she can’t stand Aaron Davis, and the only way to defeat her nemesis is to take his presidency… And his lunch pass with it.

She’s intelligent and confident, but she feels basically invisible until she gets into an argument with Aaron Davis – Student Council President – when he abuses his lunch pass privilege to buy the last piece of chocolate cake (a slice which was rightfully Effie’s, thank you very much!). Effie Kostas is new at school and she’s struggling to fit in.

Vote for Effie by Laura Wood