Back to the Bright Before

by Katherin Nolte, Jen Bricking (Illustrator)

A magical adventure about two brave siblings determined to find a treasure that could save their family.

When eleven-year-old Pet Martin's dad falls from a ladder on their family farm, it isn't just his body that crashes to the ground. So does every hope her family had for the future. Money is scarce, and Pet's mom is bone-tired from waiting tables at the local diner, and even with the extra hours, it's not enough for a third surgery for Pet's dad. Her five-year-old brother, Simon, now refuses to say anything except the word "cheese." Worst of all? The ladder accident was Pet's fault.

She's determined to fix things--but how? Good old-fashioned grit...and maybe a little bit of magic.

When a neighbor recites a poem about an ancient coin hidden somewhere on the grounds of the local abbey, Pet forms a plan. With her brother, a borrowed chicken, and a stolen pony, Pet runs away from home. If she can find the coin, Daddy can have his surgery, Momma can stop her constant working, and Simon might speak again. But Pet isn't the only one who wants the coin...which means searching for it is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

This dazzling debut novel filled with magic, family, and adventure is sure to be an instant classic.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Family, Magic, Magical Realism, Humor

208 pages, Hardcover

Published May 30, 2023

About the author

Katherin Nolte received an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she was a Truman Capote Fellow. Her fiction has appeared in dozens of publications and won multiple awards, but it was a late-night ER visit with her four children that inspired her to write Back to the Bright Before. An Ohio native, she currently lives with her family in Iowa.

Reviews

[Faith Elizabeth Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hidden bonus of being a Catholic author is that I've spent my life steeped in story-worthy elements. You want beauty and drama? Walk into a Mass and breathe in the incense and beeswax candles. Let the music of Byrd and Tallis echo in your ears. See the gleam of brass in the smoking thurifer and the sheen of silk on the tabernacle and vestments. You want the perfect story? Read the Bible, with all its heartache and betrayal and sacrifice and longing and love. Or the lives of the saints, echoing this story in their own unique lives.

But the downside to being a Catholic author? It can get annoying when non-Catholic authors steal from the treasure box of Catholic imagery and items. When they do it well, I don't mind so much (I loved The Inquisitor's Tale, for example…even though it did say Dominicans wore brown...). But when they do it poorly and the book wins acclaim, it's honestly painful. A recent award-winning title by a truly brilliant author missed the mark so much on angels and religious life (to a Catholic, "religious life" means living as a nun, sister, priest, brother, or monk) that I was honestly astounded by its stellar reception. Didn't it matter to anyone else that sacred elements of our Faith were being appropriated to add drama and mystique to a story?

Last week I read Back to the Bright Before, by Katherin Nolte--a newly-released story that very much takes advantage of the "Catholic mystique," but also very much gets it right. I am assuming that the Nolte is Catholic or was at some point, because she not only uses Catholic elements carefully and respectfully, but she never lets them get in the way of a really well-told story. It would have been easy to point out much of her symbolism to her readers, but instead she leaves it there like a little Easter egg for her readers to notice or not notice—you don't need to know all the answers because what you're there for is the story.

Here's a description from the publisher: 

When eleven-year-old Pet Martin's dad falls from a ladder on their family farm, it isn't just his body that crashes to the ground. So does every hope her family had for the future. Money is scarce, and Pet's mom is bone-tired from waiting tables at the local diner, and even with the extra hours, it's not enough for a third surgery for Pet's dad. Her five-year-old brother, Simon, now refuses to say anything except the word "cheese." Worst of all? The ladder accident was Pet's fault.
She's determined to fix things--but how? Good old-fashioned grit...and maybe a little bit of magic.
When a neighbor recites a poem about an ancient coin hidden somewhere on the grounds of the local abbey, Pet forms a plan. With her brother, a borrowed chicken, and a stolen pony, Pet runs away from home. If she can find the coin, Daddy can have his surgery, Momma can stop her constant working, and Simon might speak again. But Pet isn't the only one who wants the coin...which means searching for it is more dangerous than she ever imagined.
This dazzling debut novel filled with magic, family, and adventure is sure to be an instant classic.

Here's the thing. This book will be classified as magical realism, but to a Catholic reader, it will read as something even better: a story of miracles. As Pet learns in the story and I have learned in my life, miracles are all around but you'll miss them if you're not looking. How wonderful it was to read a story where faith moved mountains and hope overcame the darkest evil! If you want to see it as magic… that's ok. Maybe we can agree it's the "Old Magic" of Narnia and The Secret Garden, a power bigger than the powers of this world, bigger than evil and bigger than even our biggest problems. 

On a final note—and I know I can't really work this in with a perfect segue—the NUNS ARE SO GREAT. Having lived across the street from a Dominican monastery for several years, and knowing many nuns and sisters very well, I do get prickly when they're portrayed in literature as socially-awkward mystics or repressed goody-two-shoes. Nuns are real people, guys. :) Every single one I've met has entered religious life because she feels called to something bigger and deeper than herself—she is running to a great love, not running away from the world. And that deep love and complete normality was perfectly portrayed in Back to the Bright Before. Sister Melanie, the novice sister who befriends Pet, is just like many young nuns I know: kind and funny and nerdy and normal. I just loved her.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, Pet (short for Perpetua) and her younger brother Simon set out on a quest with a chicken and a stolen pony to find a valuable coin, one that could pay enough for their Dad to have another surgery and for their mother to no longer work 3 jobs to support the family. Will they find it? What about Gordon the adult son of their neighbor Mrs. Minnow who also wants to find the coin? What will he do to thwart their efforts? How can two young kids possibly defend themselves against a grown-up bully?
If you like quest stories or are looking for a book for young people that portrays the Catholic Church and nuns in a positive, this story is for you.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

We LOVED this book! We couldn't help but read it in just two sittings. The Catholic imagery woven throughout was beautiful and thought provoking. The story was whimsical, funny and sweet with subtle wisdom throughout. Our favorite book of the year so far.

[Emily M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful kids' adventure, with chickens, Latin phrases, and a wonderful big sister protagonist who is determined to save her impoverished family. This is everything my ten year old will love!

[Nessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. I wasn't a huge fan but lots of kids love sad books. It felt very realistic then suddenly turned very fantastical.

[Meaghan Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was emotional, heartwarming, and a bit odd, but the audiobook narrator was what really made the story shine the most in my opinion.

While I loved the opening chapters and I was anticipating a five star read, I found the story to be a little odd once Simon and Pet's adventure actually began. It went in a direction I wasn't expecting, and I didn't enjoy this new change nearly as much. Why? There were many situations that seemed to parallel Christian beliefs, and several characters the two siblings come across that could be considered Christ-like. While listening, it kept reminding me of Hinds Feet on High Places - a book I haven't read since childhood - but the parable-like resemblances are hard to ignore.

Overall, not a bad tale, I was just hoping for something a little different.

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the Bright Before by Katherine Nolte is a smooth and poignant children’s adventure story that features the journey of Perpetua or Pet and her little brother Simon. Although Pet’s family has never been rich, things go well until one day an accident casts a dark shadow over their lives. Pet’s dad, the breadwinner of the family, breaks his arm, and Pet holds herself responsible for the misfortune. To make things worse, her little brother fails to produce any other word except ‘cheese,’ and in spite of her mother’s inhumanely long hours at work, they cannot afford the much-needed surgery for her dad. With the guilt of being responsible for the situation tearing her apart, Pet pledges to find the hidden treasure in her local abbey. Dangers lurk in every nook and corner of the journey, but as this seems to be the only way to put an end to her family’s struggles, Pet is determined to get her hands on it.


Opinion:
Among all the beautiful aspects of the book, the wonderful bond that holds the protagonist’s family together undoubtedly stands out. The relationship between the members is nothing unnatural; like any other family in the world, they experience ups and downs in their relationship. However, the storms are transient and the fact that they are bound together with the mighty string of love is proven to the reader time and again. This bond allows them to stay strong in the face of utter misfortune and provides Pet with the courage to find a way out of the misery.

One of the most significant messages that the book delivers is that through love, faith, determination, and courage, it is possible to stand face-to-face with any challenge. Besides, the story also preaches that although money is important, wealth itself does not always guarantee happiness, and conversely, happiness is not always dependent on how much wealth one possesses.

Perpetua, the protagonist, is an exceptionally intriguing character. She is eleven but clearly mature beyond her years. Despite being young, she manages to understand the mental state of her parents and tries to look for a way to relieve them of their pain. Unlike her parents, she refuses to lose hope and puts herself at risk for the sake of her family. Besides, being a child herself does not stop her from voluntarily accepting the responsibility of protecting her younger sibling. Her maturity as well as her love for her mother has been portrayed wonderfully by the author, especially in lines where Pet thinks about how she would have tucked her mother in bed if she were her child instead of her parent.

This fast-paced and easy-to-follow story is no doubt a good pick for children aged 8-10.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since her father fell off of a ladder one fateful day, eleven-year-old Perpetua Martin has had to shoulder more responsibility than most children her age. As her mother works double shifts to make ends meet and her father is stuck in a dark depression, Perpetua is left to care for her younger brother who no longer says any word but “cheese.” Perpetua feels intense guilt over her father’s accident and its subsequent ripple effects, and she is determined to fix everything. When a poem about a hidden treasure reaches her ears, she knows this is the answer to her problems, and she bravely sets out to discover the treasure and repair all that has been broken.

This charming story is an excellent fit for younger middle grade readers thanks to its clear delivery, easy pacing, and occasional illustrations. Short chapters and black and white images help provide a visual respite for young readers as they navigate this novel. Though the overall design of the book is accessible for younger readers, however, the concepts within the plot are weighty and will resonate with a wide range of children who have ever found themselves struggling with food or financial insecurities at home. Perpetua speaks directly to the reader throughout the novel, often using the word “you” as she describes the events that have taken place. This design invites readers into Perpetua’s story, even if her specific environment is one that is initially unfamiliar to them.

Perpetua and her family live in the country, and this narrative has a distinctly pastoral feel both in the way people talk to one another and in the descriptions of the setting. Nearby Perpetua’s home is a convent, where Perpetua not only finds friends and caregivers, but also where she discovers new ways of seeing the world. It is here that much of the action of the story takes place, and readers will enjoy observing some of the magic and mystery that can come from legends that have been shared over time. Latin phrases are found frequently within the novel, as well, which enhances Perpetua’s personality and the feel of the story itself. Bravery, confidence, and self sufficiency are at the center of this novel, and it is a thought-provoking and heartwarming tale for newer middle grade readers.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

After her father's accident, eleven-year-old Perpetua (Pet) notices how everything changes in the family's once-happy home. Her father no longer wants to carve or create beautiful treasures, and her mother is so burdened with work and trying to pay the bills that she is grumpy and angry. Why, even birthdays go unnoticed. When Pet learns about a long-lost coin and the lines that offer clues as to its whereabouts from one of the nuns in a nearby convent, she decides to leave home on a quest to find that coin and save her family. Throwing caution to the winds, she packs meager supplies for herself and Simon, her little brother, and sets off on a pony she borrows from a neighbor. Along the way, the youngsters are joined by a friendly chicken and the villainous son of another neighbor. He, too, has his heart set on those riches the coin will bring, and he threatens Pet at almost every turn. Of course, there's more than a bit of magic sprinkled within the plot, and storytellers who tie up some of the dangling ends pop up at just the right moment. Readers will come to care for Pet and Simon despite her lack of planning and the danger into which she puts herself and her brother since her heart is clearly in the right place. While I enjoyed this one, I wish that there had been a little more explanation for Nana's gifts and that she had played a clearer role in the story. Middle-grade readers in search of a feel-good story and one with plenty of heart will find it in these pages.

[Michelle Smith-Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pet is a great older sister and an obedient daughter who loves her close-knit family, but the minute she gets a camera from her grandmother her family's life suddenly changes, and not for the better. When her father falls from a ladder and is seriously injured after Pet asks him to smile for a photo, he becomes hopeless and the family fears his injuries will prevent him from ever working at his trade ever again. Pet's father is a woodcarver and without the ability to carve his art that leaves Pet's mother to work double shifts at the local diner to try to feed the family. Pet is distressed and often goes to the local abbey to talk to the nuns, especially sister Melanie. She tells sister Melanie about the surgeries that her father needs and how important it would be to her family to see him get better, and she tells her how she is unsure how the money could be acquired to pay for the surgeries. Sister Melanie tells Pet about a lost valuable coin that supposedly was somewhere around the grounds of the abbey. Pet begins to form a plan to get the coin and save her father with the money from selling the coin at an auction. With the help of her toddler brother, Simon, a pony, and a tag-along chicken, Pet sets out to find the coin. The trouble is that there is also another less-deserving treasure hunter on the trail and he will stop at nothing, even harming others, to get what he wants. Will Pet find the coin and save her family? This book is a delightfully descriptive and uplifting tale that is worth the time to read and find out.

I enjoyed how the author wrote the main characters as children who are on a heart-warming quest to save their parents and family. The story was magical and family-centered with several life lessons taught in an allegorical way through the symbols throughout the adventure. This felt like a story that definitely suited the audience of the middle-grade reader in the 4th-7th grade range; from ages 10-13. The illustrations throughout the book were beautifully sketched and added to the whimsy of the book; the cover of the book invokes a feeling of triumph which foretells the hope of the young adventurers in a way that drew me to the book.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW

Mental health and threats to child


My daughters and I almost put this book down on page 3 when the mom says I don't know whether to hug you or smack you. Several other times the mom talks about hitting her casually and we were shocked that parents speak to their kids like that. But that's our family. We used it as an example and finished the book.

For mental health both parents are obviously struggling. Depression. Anger. Grief. It's pretty hard to read but very well articulated with examples and expressions.

The narrative from the first born daughter is true to form for the girls who have shouldered the burden of holding the family together and the understood responsibility at a young age. I remember similar thoughts during family stress and crisis and I see some of the same actions even in our more stable home with my oldest daughter. She's sensitive to others' emotions and makes me breakfast like she's the adult. There is a lot to unpack with this story and both my kids did like all the humor and nicknames. My youngest liked to answer everything with "cheese" while we read it and crowns and scepters were made. They loved the kindness of adults and how the girl recognized her mistakes and her bravery. So I'm glad we finished it but it was not a gentle start.

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not what anyone would say a “godly person” I never have been and probably never will be. So typically when I pick up a book and I find out it has religious undertones I end up putting the book down because it feels very forced upon me.

Not with this book though. Back to the Bright before is a story about two siblings who borrow a chicken and steal a pony, looking for a long lost treasure that happens to be a coin that was hidden by a monk.. it has Catholic undertones, but it’s not in your face about it.

This book will be classified as magical realism. However to a religious reader, it will read as something even better, a story of miracles.
Which I think is great if you’re trying to teach your children about faith and miracles .

But if you’re not, and you’re just there for the story. Katherine Nolte Gives you the choice. It’s wonderous to read a story where faith saved you from dying in a rain storm and hope overcame the darkest evil! But If you’re like me and you want to see it as magic... that’s ok too. The author gives you the choice. And that’s how I wish more religious tales were told.

[jaycee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy middle grade about a young girl and her brother on a quest to find a coin that they believe will help their family return to the "bright before", before their father was injured. I really enjoy fantastical adventures because children are immersed in a world where they have total autonomy to visit unknown worlds and be the heroes of their own stories.

I mostly enjoyed the tone of this story. Again, it was cozy, and the main character was warm and friendly. Her belief in her ability to help her father and her childlike worldview of the issues in her family and how to solve them was comforting and inspiring. My main critique of this story was that it sort of felt like I was reading a completely different story towards the end- for example, when they were helped by the giant. I couldn't quite decide if this was a fantasy novel at times, however it mostly read as a fable. The plot also hinges on a financial problem that Pet manages to solve, which is not realistic for most children to help with, and doesn't send a hopeful message. I don't think this necessarily disqualifies the book from being worth reading, but it is something to think about.

[Jenny Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your 12 says you have to read something, you absolutely do it. She doesn't ask that of me often. And oh, how glad I am that I did!

Pet's family used to be wonderful, but her father was badly injured in an accident. Now her mom works around the clock to pay the bills, Dad doesn't get out of bed, and Simon only says "cheese ". Pet, age 11, feels responsible for the accident and therefore responsible for fixing all the problems that have come from it.

Pet and Simon set out on a journey that is either a fairytale or a faith allegory, or both layered together. As a Christian, it's hard not to see the Gospel, but it's also subtle - I'm not sure what the author intended. I think it was the right level.

My only gripe is that we never circled back to Nana and her gifts. It feels like a big miss, but my daughter didn't even notice. Maybe I'm asking a fairytale to be too real and "tidy."

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very pleasantly surprised by "Back To The Bright Before." I loved the family dynamic, how much Pet loves her daddy, and how she tries to take care of her mama. The love and care she has for her younger brother was so endearing. And I loved how she tries to care for her neighbors as well. Although this is in the "fantasy" category, it's more magical realism, meaning it is set in our real world but has one or two small fantastical elements.

Pet is friends with the Catholic sisters who live down the road. There is some Catholic theology sprinkled in (like how they pray, even in the middle of the night, some talk of saints and the plot involves a monk bringing an important coin to Iowa from Europe). It is not written to convert and is mainly moralistic.

Found in Ultimate MG Bundle.

[AFIFA ALAM RAISA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the Bright Before by Katherine Nolte is a smooth and poignant children’s adventure story that features the journey of Perpetua or Pet and her little brother Simon. Although Pet’s family has never been rich, things go well until one day an accident casts a dark shadow over their lives. Pet’s dad, the breadwinner of the family, breaks his arm, and Pet holds herself responsible for the misfortune. To make things worse, her little brother fails to produce any other word except ‘cheese,’ and in spite of her mother’s inhumanely long hours at work, they cannot afford the much-needed surgery for her dad. With the guilt of being responsible for the situation tearing her apart, Pet pledges to find the hidden treasure in her local abbey. Dangers lurk in every nook and corner of the journey, but as this seems to be the only way to put an end to her family’s struggles, Pet is determined to get her hands on it.

Among all the beautiful aspects of the book, the wonderful bond that holds the protagonist’s family together undoubtedly stands out. The connection between the members is nothing unnatural; like any other family in the world, they experience ups and downs in their relationship. However, the storms are transient and the fact that they are bound together with the mighty string of love is proven to the reader time and again. This bond allows them to stay strong in the face of utter misfortune and provides Pet with the courage to find a way out of the misery.

One of the most significant messages that the book delivers is that through love, faith, determination, and courage, it is possible to stand face-to-face with any challenge. Besides, the story also preaches that although money is important, wealth itself does not always guarantee happiness, and conversely, happiness is not always dependent on how much wealth one possesses.

Perpetua, the protagonist, is an exceptionally intriguing character. She is eleven but clearly mature beyond her years. Despite being young, she manages to understand the mental state of her parents and tries to look for a way to relieve them of their pain. Unlike her parents, she refuses to lose hope and puts herself at risk for the sake of her family. Besides, being a child herself does not stop her from voluntarily accepting the responsibility of protecting her younger sibling. Her maturity as well as her love for her mother has been portrayed wonderfully by the author, especially in the lines where Pet thinks about how she would have tucked her mother in bed if she were her child instead of her parent.

This fast-paced and easy-to-follow story is no doubt a good pick for children aged 8-10.

[Mary Smrek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This middle grade book is a heartwarming story of persistence and belief. There are setbacks, injuries, and trials but throughout it all Perpetua or "Pet" continues. This novel is also quite open to interpretation especially in the Christian vein. The nuns who are a constant in the book are an obvious connection to Christianity, but then there are the other special characters who help Pet throughout her adventure that are easy to see as Christ if one is raised in the faith.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

[Amberleigh Million • a.millionbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the Bright Before is heartfelt story about belief and perseverance. I really loved how it was a mix of difference genres so children with all different likes would be able to enjoy it, There is a nice lesson regarding good vs evil and pushing through difficult circumstances. I highly recommend for early readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Random House Books for Young Readers for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my honest review.

[Kelsey Steffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is the perfect blend of family, faith, and fun! My young boys were riveted by Pet’s adventure and all the parts of it that related to tenets of their own faith and life. Siblings, stolen animals, nuns, the same Latin phrases they are learning? This was a perfect storm for our family!

As a mother, I loved reading this novel aloud to my children, and we experienced such a rebirth of faith and love for each other while enjoying this sweet summer read together.

We would pick up any other novel by Katherin Nolte in a lick of a lamb’s tongue!

[Nicole Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was wonderful and full of imagination. We follow Pet and Simon, siblings, through an adventure for treasure. Only, they aren't the only ones searching for it!
When their dad falls from a ladder, their whole world is turned upside down. Pet believes it's her fault, so she sets out to fix it. Will they find the coin first? Who will help along the way?
This adventure is a great read for grades 3rd-6th.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by this short, cozy fantasy. Pet wins the award for one of the least obnoxious precocious kids in kidlit for me. Her motivations and intentions are clear and her best friendship with a novice at the local convent is a fun detail. In fact, I thought this whole novel was enhanced by usage of Christian mythology and the convent made for a good setting.
Sort of like an updated Goonies with Christian mythology sprinkled in -- I was surprised by this book.

[Leslea Wahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable story, full of adventure, humor, and elements of fantasy and faith. I appreciated the main character’s fierce love for her family. The way she cared for her parents and her brother was so sweet. I also liked her feisty spirit as she refused to feel sorry for herself or become angry at her situation. Instead, Pet was determined to make her family whole once again.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight and complete breath of fresh air, Back to the Bright Before is an adventure, a fairy tale, and a mystery all wrapped into one fun and intriguing package. Highly recommend for the reader who just needs a simple good vs evil, choosing how we respond to the world and our circumstances book.

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An imaginative story involving a story about a coin, a pony, a chicken, a little brother who will only say Cheese and two parents who have lost hope so a little girl has to save her family. A bit of magic and help along the way… and here we are.

Quite a tale I feel there was a bit of fairy tale mixed in, I liked the point of view but it didn’t strike me as a favorite read personally.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. My teenager, a Latin scholar, loved the bits of Latin. The main character is a young girl determined to remain hopeful in the midst of some fairly rough circumstances. It's a sweet story with some unpredictable turns that I loved as much as my kids.

[Thomas Noonan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable and warming children's lit book with diverse and characters and fun interpretations (or avatars, I suppose, would be more accurate) of archangels. It flies by and inspires thought on its central themes.

I would've traded a little of the breadth for depth, but maybe that would've traded in its sense of adventure for something dour. Worth reading, regardless.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. An inspiring, indomitable young heroine, uplifting magical realism, grim circumstances, and real human darkness. It didn't always mesh quite right. I had to work very hard to suspend my disbelief and enjoy this as a tale; yet, when I succeeded, I was swept away and enjoyed myself. I know there are readers who will absolutely love it.

[Janet Noonan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the first few pages I was drawn into this charming imaginative story and felt it was a refreshing change in children’s lit. While it’s not flawless( I don’t know any books that truly are ) I think Nolte created a new kind of magical storytelling with charm humor and a sense of goodness

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely little book. Just the gentle, sweet, hopeful book I needed right now. It's a bit fluffy, but 11-year-old me would have REALLY loved reading this. Can't get much better than a borrowed chicken, a stolen pony, and an adventure with a brother who only says "cheese" . . .

[Becky Gallego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally an age-appropriate heartwarming story that isn't filled with a political agenda.