Bringing people closer to the budgeting process is an important part of hands-on civic learning and strengthening local level democracy. Su documents how participatory budgeting can empower people who are often excluded from formal politics: immigrants, youth, formerly incarcerated individuals, and low-income families. Participatory budgeting brings people together in their neighborhoods, school cafeterias, and community centers to deliberate and vote on how funds should be spent. New York’s Participatory Budgeting process included a range of creative projects, among them a study of endangered bats, fitness equipment for senior citizens, and freeze-resistant water fountains. Participatory budgeting is not a silver bullet, and she does not romanticize it.