“Voting is a right, yes, but it’s also a responsibility. And it's a privilege.”
— Jamie's grandfather explaining the importance of voting.
Archivist's Choice
Yes No Maybe So
Becky Albertalli (2020)
Genre
Politics / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
450 min
Key Themes
See below
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A socially anxious Jewish teen and a Muslim girl facing family turmoil find unexpected love and courage while canvassing for a progressive political campaign in a deeply divided America.
Synopsis
Jamie Goldberg, an introverted Jewish high school student, is pulled into volunteering for a local state senate campaign. He struggles to talk to strangers and prefers to work behind the scenes. However, his plans change when he is paired with Maya Rehman, a Pakistani-American Muslim girl whose summer has been upended by her parents' separation and a canceled trip. Maya initially resents her mother's decision to make her canvass, especially with an awkward guy she barely knows.
As Jamie and Maya go door-to-door, they slowly build a connection. They bond over the challenges of local activism and their worries about the political climate. Their romance grows during a heated election, as they navigate cultural differences, family crises, and rising political extremism in their community. They learn to stand up for their beliefs, support each other, and discover that their voices, and their love, can make a difference.
Reading time
450 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Heartwarming, Hopeful, Romantic, Timely
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy contemporary YA romance with a strong focus on political activism and character growth, featuring diverse protagonists.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fantasy or sci-fi, or are looking for a romance without any political themes.
Plot Summary
A Reluctant Start to Canvassing
Jamie Goldberg, a high school senior, dreads his summer. His parents, both lawyers and politically active, push him into volunteering for the local state senate campaign of Sarah Miller, a progressive Democrat. Jamie's social anxiety makes the idea of knocking on strangers' doors terrifying, and he initially plans to stick to behind-the-scenes data entry. However, his mother, wanting to push him out of his comfort zone, assigns him to door-to-door canvassing alongside Maya Rehman, a girl he vaguely knows from elementary school. This pairing sets the stage for their reluctant involvement in the campaign and their developing relationship.
Maya's Unraveling Summer
Maya Rehman's summer starts badly. Her parents have announced their separation, her best friend, Betsy, is distant with a new boyfriend, and her anticipated summer trip to visit family in Pakistan has been canceled. To make matters worse, her mother, hoping to distract Maya and give her purpose, insists she volunteer for Sarah Miller's campaign. Maya, feeling angry and helpless, reluctantly agrees, finding herself paired with the awkward and quiet Jamie Goldberg. This forced collaboration begins amid her personal upheaval, creating a challenging backdrop for her involvement.
First Forays into Canvassing
Jamie and Maya begin their canvassing efforts, an experience full of awkwardness for both. Jamie struggles to start conversations, often fumbling his words or freezing, while Maya, though more outwardly confident, is internally resistant. Their first few days are a series of uncomfortable encounters, slammed doors, and polite rejections. Despite their anxieties and reluctance, they slowly start to develop a rhythm and a tentative understanding of each other. Jamie observes Maya's resilience, while Maya finds Jamie's earnestness charming, slowly easing their initial reservations.
Building a Connection
Through countless hours of walking neighborhoods, knocking on doors, and sharing snacks, Jamie and Maya's relationship deepens. They start to confide in each other about their personal lives: Maya shares details about her parents' separation and her frustrations with Betsy, while Jamie reveals his struggles with social anxiety and his aspirations to become a filmmaker. Their conversations become more natural, filled with humor and shared observations about the campaign and the people they meet. A romantic tension begins to build between them, complicated by their different cultural backgrounds and personal challenges, but undeniable.
The Campaign Heats Up
As the election draws closer, the race between Sarah Miller and the incumbent, David Miller (no relation), becomes tight. This intensifies the campaign's efforts, requiring more hours and more effective canvassing from all volunteers, including Jamie and Maya. They attend campaign rallies, phone bank, and continue their door-to-door outreach, facing more passionate supporters and more aggressive detractors. The political stakes rise, forcing both Jamie and Maya to confront their discomforts and become more vocal advocates for Sarah Miller, pushing them further out of their comfort zones and strengthening their bond.
Navigating Cultural Differences
As their romantic feelings grow, Jamie and Maya begin to confront the realities of their different backgrounds. Jamie is Jewish, and Maya is Muslim. While both are secular to varying degrees, their families hold cultural and religious traditions that could complicate a relationship. They have candid conversations about their family expectations, holidays, and potential reactions to their romance. This open dialogue helps them understand each other better and address potential obstacles, showing their commitment to making their relationship work despite external pressures and internal anxieties about cultural acceptance.
Personal Crises and Support
Throughout the campaign, Jamie and Maya lean on each other for support during their personal crises. Maya continues to struggle with her parents' separation and the emotional distance from her best friend, Betsy. Jamie, meanwhile, faces his own challenges, including a setback in his filmmaking aspirations and moments of overwhelming social anxiety. Their shared experiences on the campaign trail, coupled with their growing affection, make them each other's primary confidantes and sources of comfort. They learn to be vulnerable and rely on one another.
The Rise of Political Extremism
As the election nears, the political climate becomes charged and hostile. Jamie and Maya encounter more aggressive and prejudiced voters, particularly those who express Islamophobic sentiments towards Maya and antisemitic remarks towards Jamie, often fueled by the opposing campaign's rhetoric. This exposure to open bigotry is jarring and frightening for both teenagers, highlighting the real-world dangers of political polarization. These experiences solidify their commitment to Sarah Miller's progressive platform and strengthen their resolve to fight for a more inclusive society, while also drawing them closer together.
The Election Day Push
Election Day arrives, bringing a whirlwind of activity. Jamie and Maya, alongside other dedicated volunteers, spend the entire day making last-minute calls, driving voters to the polls, and ensuring every possible vote for Sarah Miller is cast. The atmosphere is tense and exhilarating, filled with a mix of hope and anxiety. Their individual anxieties about public interaction are momentarily overshadowed by the collective goal, and they work seamlessly as a team, their bond clear in their coordinated efforts and shared determination to see their candidate win. It is a culmination of their summer's hard work.
Election Night and Beyond
Election night is a rollercoaster of emotions. Jamie and Maya, along with their families and fellow volunteers, gather at the campaign headquarters to watch the results. The race is incredibly close, creating suspense. While Sarah Miller ultimately loses the election by a narrow margin, the volunteers, including Jamie and Maya, find solace in their collective effort and the bonds they have formed. In the aftermath, Jamie and Maya officially begin their romantic relationship, choosing to focus on their future together and the positive impact they made, regardless of the election's outcome.
Principal Figures
Jamie Goldberg
The Protagonist
Jamie transforms from a timid, introverted teenager into a more confident individual who embraces political engagement and a cross-cultural relationship.
Maya Rehman
The Protagonist
Maya navigates personal turmoil to find her voice in activism and builds a meaningful, cross-cultural romantic relationship.
Sarah Miller
The Supporting
Her campaign provides the setting for the protagonists' growth, though her own arc is secondary.
Jamie's Mom
The Supporting
She serves as a catalyst for Jamie's initial involvement and growth.
Maya's Mom
The Supporting
She navigates her own personal struggles while trying to support her daughter.
Betsy
The Supporting
Her temporary distance forces Maya to seek support elsewhere and strengthens other relationships.
David Miller
The Antagonist
Serves as the political opposition.
Themes & Insights
The Power of Political Activism
The novel shows how grassroots political activism, even at a local level, can empower individuals and build community. Jamie and Maya, initially reluctant, find purpose and agency through their involvement in Sarah Miller's campaign. They learn the importance of civic engagement, the impact of local elections, and how to stand up for their beliefs against prejudice. This theme is clear in their transformation from shy volunteers to passionate advocates, culminating in their dedication on Election Day, despite the outcome.
“Maybe it was the work that made it feel like we belonged there. Maybe it was the work that made us belong to each other.”
Overcoming Social Anxiety and Finding Your Voice
Jamie's journey is central to this theme. His severe social anxiety initially cripples him, making the idea of door-to-door canvassing a nightmare. However, through persistent effort and Maya's supportive presence, he gradually learns to articulate his thoughts, connect with strangers, and advocate for what he believes in. This theme is also present in Maya's initial reluctance to engage and her eventual embrace of public speaking and debate. The campaign helps both characters push past their inhibitions and discover their individual and collective voices.
“I was still an anxious person, but I was also a person who could do hard things. A person who could talk to people.”
Cross-Cultural Romance and Acceptance
The growing relationship between Jamie, who is Jewish, and Maya, who is Muslim, forms the emotional core of the story. The novel explores the beauty and challenges of an interfaith, cross-cultural romance in contemporary America. It looks at how their backgrounds shape their identities, how they navigate family expectations, and how they confront prejudice from others. Their relationship champions understanding, empathy, and acceptance, showing that love can bridge divides and that differences can enrich a partnership.
“It wasn’t about being Jewish or Muslim. It was about being Jamie and Maya.”
Navigating Personal Turmoil and Growth
Both Jamie and Maya are dealing with significant personal challenges outside the campaign. Maya grapples with her parents' separation, the disruption of her summer plans, and a distant best friend. Jamie contends with his social anxiety and struggles with his filmmaking aspirations. The campaign, while demanding, provides a framework for them to process their individual anxieties and grow. They find solace and strength in each other, showing how shared purpose and mutual support can help navigate life's upheavals and build personal resilience.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen with my parents. Or with Betsy. But I knew I wasn’t alone.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Dual Perspectives
The story is told through alternating first-person chapters from Jamie and Maya.
The novel utilizes dual first-person perspectives, alternating between Jamie Goldberg and Maya Rehman. This allows readers to intimately understand both protagonists' internal thoughts, anxieties, and motivations. It provides insight into their individual struggles with social anxiety, family issues, and cultural identity, as well as their evolving perceptions of each other. This device enhances the emotional depth of their burgeoning romance and their shared experiences on the campaign trail, creating a richer, more nuanced narrative.
Campaign as a Catalyst
The political campaign serves as the primary setting and driving force for character development and plot progression.
The state senate campaign for Sarah Miller acts as the central catalyst for all major plot developments and character arcs. It forces Jamie out of his comfort zone, provides a shared purpose for him and Maya, and creates the environment for their relationship to blossom. The challenges and successes of the campaign directly influence their personal growth, the deepening of their bond, and their exposure to broader societal issues like prejudice and activism. Without the campaign, their paths would likely not have intertwined in such a profound way.
Symbolism of 'Yes, No, Maybe So'
The title reflects the characters' initial reluctance, evolving certainty, and the complexities of life and love.
The title 'Yes No Maybe So' functions as a recurring motif and symbolic device throughout the novel. Initially, it reflects Jamie and Maya's internal struggles and their reluctance to engage with the campaign ('No'). As they grow, they begin to say 'Yes' to challenges, to activism, and to each other. The 'Maybe So' encapsulates the uncertainties of their cross-cultural romance, the unpredictable nature of politics, and the complexities of life. It signifies the journey from doubt to tentative hope, acknowledging that not all outcomes are certain, but the effort and connection are worthwhile.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. I’m just trying to make sure people have the information they need to make their own.”
— Jamie explaining his approach to campaign volunteering.
“Sometimes it’s easier to see the good in other people than it is to see it in yourself.”
— Maya reflecting on her self-perception versus how others see her.
“The thing about being a teenager is that everything feels like the end of the world, even when it’s not.”
— Maya's internal monologue about the intensity of adolescent emotions.
“You can’t just sit back and hope things get better. You have to make them better.”
— Jamie's internal motivation for getting involved in the campaign.
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.”
— Maya's mom giving her advice about relationships and life.
“Fear is a powerful motivator. But so is hope.”
— Jamie observing the different emotional drivers in political discourse.
“Maybe love isn’t about finding someone who completes you. Maybe it’s about finding someone who helps you complete yourself.”
— Maya's evolving understanding of romance and partnerships.
“The hardest part isn’t saying goodbye. It’s learning to live without the hello.”
— Maya's thoughts on the pain of separation and longing.
“Sometimes you have to be brave enough to be vulnerable.”
— Jamie encouraging Maya to open up about her feelings.
“It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when it feels like the world is against you. But that’s when you have to push harder.”
— Jamie reflecting on the challenges of political campaigning.
“You don't have to have all the answers to make a difference. You just have to be willing to ask the questions.”
— Maya realizing the importance of inquiry and engagement.
“The best kind of love makes you want to be a better person, not just for them, but for yourself too.”
— Maya's final reflections on her relationship with Jamie.
“It's not about being right. It's about doing right.”
— Jamie's grandfather offering a moral lesson about actions over arguments.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The book centers on Jamie Goldberg and Maya Rehman, two teenagers from different backgrounds who are reluctantly paired up to canvass for a local progressive state senate candidate, Shadi Khan, during a crucial election. As they go door-to-door, they navigate their personal challenges, growing feelings for each other, and the complexities of political activism.
About the author
Becky Albertalli is a New York Times bestselling author known for her heartwarming and humorous young adult novels. Her most famous work, "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda," was adapted into the critically acclaimed film "Love, Simon." Albertalli's writing often explores themes of identity, friendship, and romance with relatable characters and authentic dialogue.
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