True Gretch: Lessons for Anyone Who Wants to Make a Difference

by Gretchen Whitmer

The young adult edition of the unconventionally honest, deeply personal, and sharply funny account from Michigan governor and rising Democratic star Gretchen Whitmer “will appeal to readers interested in politics and those seeking insights on leadership and attaining success” (Kirkus Reviews).

When Gretchen Whitmer was growing up, her beloved grandmother Nino taught her that you can always find something good in other people. “Even the meanest person might have pretty eyes,” she would say, a piece of advice that Gretchen carries with her today in her role as the governor of Michigan. (And one that resonated more than another her grandmother “never part your hair in the middle.”)

From navigating a kidnapping and assassination plot in which she herself was a target to facing monumental challenges during a global pandemic, Big Gretch (as she’s now known) shares the key pieces of wisdom that have shaped her trailblazing career and personal experiences in this often hilarious, always uplifting book. Along the way, she tells stories about growing up gutsy in the Midwest, the wild comments she’s encountered as a public figure, and how to neutralize high-profile bullies with a fearless sense of humor.

Told in her famously straightforward and slyly funny voice, this young adult edition of the governor’s story not only offers an intimate insight into the life of a politician with an astounding journey, but also affords extraordinary lessons for young people everywhere who wish to make a difference in the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2025

About the author

Gretchen Whitmer is the governor of Michigan and a rising figure in US politics. Known for her bold and plainspoken style, Whitmer is a national voice on the rights of women, voters, and the LGBTQ+ community. She rose to national prominence for her leadership in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, when her efforts to save lives in the state earned her the nickname “That Woman from Michigan” from the president. Later that year, a domestic terrorist cell began planning to kidnap and kill her, a plot that was foiled by the FBI and state police. Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander who first ran for office at age twenty-nine, has served in both state houses, and has never lost an election. She is the proud mother of two daughters, a huge Detroit Lions fan, and the subject of the song “Big Gretch” by rapper GMac Cash.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Makaila Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book.

As a Michigander and mom (and also as a fan of Big Gretch), I knew I had to read this. Whitmer takes readers through every stage of her life thus far and offers us a deeper insight into the woman behind the podium. 

The way she recalled the political and personal trials in life is inspiring. Not only persevering through it all, but coming out stronger on the other side (with her sense of humor still intact, I might add). With each personal story, she offers a lesson and a word of encouragement to readers. On a more fun note, she also includes a playlist and Q&A at the end with her daughters. 

I really enjoyed this and plan on buying it for my teens when it's available. 

[Forever Young Adult]

Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: Say It Loud!
Drinking Buddy: Black Tie Gala
MPAA Rating: PG (historical violence)
Talky Talk: Political Memoir
Bonus Factor: Women in Politics
Bromance Status: We Need You

Read the full book report here.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

though most of this book wasn’t news to me after seeing her on book tour in February, it was a quick and enjoyable read. she’s just so charismatic and pure Michigan (😉) and I’m glad we have a figure like her in US politics

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Despite being fairly politically informed, I wasn't super familiar with Governor Gretchen Whitmer until the news of her attempted kidnapping and murder made national headlines. Even then, her policies didn't (and still don't, as most if not all of my Midwestern friends are from every state but Michigan) affect my daily life, so I didn't pay much attention beyond acknowledging that she's thankfully on the right side of history in her continued dedication to progressive causes.

And then this book landed on my desk, and y'all! I have a crush!

Because Big Gretch, as she's fondly known on social media, is delightful! Granted, this is an autobiography, where the charm is of necessity turned up to 11. But in addition to the usual flattering chapters about herself and her life and career to date, she takes on a surprising number of honest but unfashionable stances that she simply doesn't have to. Whether it's about admitting mistakes or being able to say "I'm sorry", her honesty, decency and commitment to public service shine through in a way that feels both genuine and unfortunately rare in this current political climate.

Here's the thing: it's very unusual for me to read a politician's autobiography and think, "Wow, this is a much better person than I am!" But Governor Whitmer's dedication to empathy and compassion is truly astonishing. She doesn't do it because she's a pushover: she does it because she knows it's the best and most efficient way to get everyone moving forward together. God, it bugs me so much that this used to be a very centrist stance, the idea of improving as a society, before right-wingers made that seem like crazy leftist ideals. Fortunately, Governor Whitmer is less concerned with the way her positions make her look than with doing the right thing by the people of Michigan.

And that is, foundationally, one of the really great things about Governor Whitmer. She's less invested in her image and pride than she is in actually making life better for all Michiganders. Compare that to the ego-driven morons in this current Presidential administration. Governor Whitmer is a real leader working hard to improve and safeguard the lives of her constituents. You'd think that that would be the bare minimum for a politician, but here we are in the hellscape of 2025, watching our rights and federal protections circle the drain, all in the name of promoting the financial interests of the criminals in power.

It shouldn't be a surprise then that my admiration for Governor Whitmer's commitment to cooperation was actually a bit of a sore spot for me reading this book, as she insists on the importance of reaching across the political aisle and working with her ideological opponents. Given that this was written pre-Inauguration, I get it. One still had hopes of Republicans being reasonable before 45 was sworn in for a second term; more pertinently to her efforts, state politicians are often more practical and tractable than their federal counterparts. But the constant urge to cooperate grated on my nerves... until she pointed out that toxic relationships of all kinds are bad and should be left behind. We have and should continue to have the power to say no and to leave bad situations. Cooperation is an ideal not a blanket panacea. I'm glad that she acknowledges that, especially given the tough times this country has ahead.

Anyway, I'm a big fan now, both of her ethics and of her hilarious sense of humor, and will be watching her career with greater interest from here on in. But even if you care less about "politics" than about public service and basic human decency -- spoiler alert: public service and basic human decency are fundamentally what liberal government and politics are all about! -- then this is a terrific book for anyone who needs to believe that there are still people and politicians out there who understand and care about doing what's right for their people. It's certainly a refreshing counterpoint to the absolute ludicrousness going on elsewhere in this country, and a great way to impart the basics of good governance in an easy-to-digest manner for the reader in your life, young or otherwise.

True Gretch: Young Adult Edition by Gretchen Whitmer was published January 28 2024 by Atheneum Books For Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

This review originally appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

For this and other book reviews, subscribe to my blog at www.bargain-sleuth.com

Thanks to Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Gretchen Whitmer is the current governor of the state of Michigan, and she’s made a name for herself on the national stage with her commonsense approach to tackling problems, her accessibility, and for being bullied by the president in 2020. I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about Whitmer beyond the basics, even though Michigan is our neighbor, but I did know one thing: I wanted to learn more about her.

Whitmer is about the same age as me and was born and raised in lower Michigan, making her Midwest Proud. She had a very normal Gen X upbringing, and I enjoyed reading about her introduction to politics as a young adult. One of the great things about this memoir for young adults is the humor Whitmer inflects throughout her story.

That humor would come in handy when Whitmer handled the Covid-19 pandemic and was bullied by the president. Do you know what she did? She fought back and stood up to him, and she used the national exposure she gained to gain access to much needed supplies for the state of Michigan.

Whitmer also needed to be able to shake off the plot to kidnap and kill her by fourteen men who were upset by the governor’s lockdown orders during the pandemic. I don’t know what I’d do in that case, but she held her cool, reassured her kids, and came out better for it.

I also appreciated the fact that this young reader’s edition had an interview with Whitmer’s two daughters at the end and they discussed some of the topics that were covered in the book. Overall, this was a great introduction for young people of Grechen Whitmer and hope to see more of her in the national spotlight in the future.

[Regan, Maze, and MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I would have gotten the adult version of this book, but the bookstore I went to only had the YA version. I think this book being YA made some of the topics lose some of their nuance and much needed adult context. For example, “don’t burn bridges” was one that I think I would have appreciated a bit more grittiness to it. I also didn’t love that Governor Whitmer apologized and talked so much about saying the word “motherfucker.”

However, having said that Governor Whitmer still made this book quite humorous and managed to show how she has twisted insults that her opponents have thrown her way. I also have to say that any politician who is willing to put such a vulnerable piece of their life, such as being a survivor of SA, into the public light to try to change people’s minds is someone who puts public service above personal gain.

If you want to hear about everything from assassination attempts to how Whitmer handled COVID in Michigan and facing off against Trump—I would recommend it. Accountability was taken more often than I felt was necessary, there were times when I wish she wouldn’t have apologized or said that something was wrong. That is probably why she is the politician though and I’m the reader.

I would highly recommend this book to YA readers interested in politics and life lessons, but I wish I would have read the adult version.

[Sally Kruger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover states, "Lessons for anyone who wants to make a difference." This young adult edition of TRUE GRETCH does convey Gretchen Whitmer's desire to make a difference in the lives of others, especially for those who live in her beloved state of Michigan.

Governor Whitmer relates stories about her childhood, her grandmother and grandfather, her parents, and her siblings. Experiences and lessons learned early on have stayed with this honest, straightforward leader of the state of Michigan.

Readers will be treated to Whitmer's ever-present sense of humor even as she tells of the difficult times in her personal and political life. Whitmer tells about her frustrations during the COVID pandemic and the decisions she made to hopefully keep the residents of Michigan as safe as possible. She shares her fears, especially for her family, when threatened by people violently disagreeing with her decisions. Whitmer also tells stories about her campaigns and the team she credits with her successes.

TRUE GRETCH (young adult edition) is perfect for high school readers interested in learning more about a current female politician and her path to success.

[Sue Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I finished the book just seconds ago and I immediately felt the let-down that one might feel after Christmas. I didn’t want it to end. When we talk about writing as teachers, we often talk about voice and it is so easy to hear Gretchen Whitmer’s voice throughout the book. That is not only a tribute to her signature candor, vibrant personality and leadership ability, I suspect it is also due to Lisa Dickey’s skill in helping the governor write the book. The governor was quick to acknowledge Lisa’s help in creating this piece.

In times of political turmoil in this country, I found myself feeling incredibly thankful for this book. It reminded me of the unbelievable challenges Michiganders have faced throughout Gretchen’s tenure as our governor and how her self-effacing humor, brilliance and ability to get things done led us through some spectacularly difficult times.

The fact that she loves and supports her daughters shines throughout the text and makes this book a perfect read for young adults.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review:

Gretchen Whitmer is a positive role model for young adults, and she shares about her devotion to her family and the state of Michigan in this memoir. I enjoyed learning about her trajectory into politics, and how she navigated the COVID 19 pandemic. She acknowledges mistakes she made and was able to laugh them off and connect with voters. She was also a target of President Trump's bullying in 2020. She owned her status and stood up to him, using the exposure to gain access to needed supplies for her state.

I was really impressed with how personable she is and hope to see more of her. I wish I lived in Michigan so I could vote for her!

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, impactful read. Governor Whitmer provides a real look at how she views the world and provides some great advice about making a difference in one’s community. I really liked the family-centered narrative and how Whitmer’s anecdotes provide direct context to her actions in public office. She owns her shortcomings, celebrates the positive, and overall the writing in this book helps her voice come through in a relatable way.

[Karen Pranikoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read and good takeaways. Having read the NYT magazine article about her, I felt like many of the stories were extracted from her memoir. It's nice to know that we still have leaders with a moral compass who want to do the best job they can for their constituencies.

[KM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok fine I won’t jump off a building before 2028

[Annisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book

[Cherokee - Books With A Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Gretch is a behind the scenes look at Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, who has had the honor of serving this great state for two terms, and yes, I did vote for her.

Being born and raised in Michigan, I've seen a lot of good and bad come through. Governor Whitmer has been one of the better one's we've had, even though I don't always agree with what she says or does... but isn't that how it goes with politics? I was excited to read her book, see how and why she's made the decisions she has, and more.

[Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The YA edition of Gretchen Whitmer’s memoir is subtitled “lessons for anyone who wants to make a difference,” and the book did a good job of sharing lessons the governor of Michigan has learned as governor. I appreciated how human and accessible Whitmer appears to be, sharing humor and making fun of herself. Some of the lessons she shared included listening to people, surrounding yourself with great people, apologizing and forgiving, and being happy. The end included an interview with her daughters about being the daughters of a governor. This book does mention an assault that Whitmer experienced in college.