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First Daughter #1
Extreme American Makeover
Adopted from Pakistan when she was three, Sameera "Sparrow" Righton is not your typical all-American girl. None of this used to matter, but that was before her father decided to run for president of the United States. Now some of her father's campaign staffers think that maybe a dark-skinned, adopted daughter could hurt his chances. They begin to pressure Sameera to change her name to Sammy and to be more "American." Sameera is torn between molding herself into the perfect daughter and being true to herself. Who will win out? Sparrow? Or Sammy?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 14, 2007
4 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Mitali Perkins
25 books577 followersMitali Perkins has written many books for young readers as well as a couple for adults, including You Bring the Distant Near (nominated for the National Book Award) Rickshaw Girl (a NYPL best 100 Book for children in the past 100 years, film adaptation at rickshawgirlmovie.com), Bamboo People (an ALA Top 10 YA novel), and Forward Me Back to You, which won the South Asia Book Award for Younger Readers. Her newest novel, Hope in the Valley, received five starred reviews and was selected as a Best Book for Young Readers by Kirkus and Book Page. She currently writes and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area: mitaliperkins.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 23, 2009
Sparrow was adopted from Pakistan at age 3 by an American couple in the Foreign Service. Now her father is running for president as a Republican and his staff is trying to figure out how his dark-complexioned and independent teenager fits into the campaign. At first Sparrow conforms to the campaign's expectations but as she gains confidence she decides it is important to her to share her voice with the country. In particular, she is proud of her blog and resents the moronic public blog created by a staffer for her public self.
I enjoyed this story although found Sparrow improbably mature and articulate. It also seemed unrealistic that her father could campaign and win the presidency immediately after a position in Brussels (not to mention that they left Sparrow behind when they moved back to the US!). An interesting contrast to Ellen Emerson White's series about Meg Powers.
I enjoyed this story although found Sparrow improbably mature and articulate. It also seemed unrealistic that her father could campaign and win the presidency immediately after a position in Brussels (not to mention that they left Sparrow behind when they moved back to the US!). An interesting contrast to Ellen Emerson White's series about Meg Powers.
March 6, 2016
What a teen fantasya glamorous makeover by the best in the business! The only trouble is that a makeover implies there is something wrong with who you really are. Perkins takes on a young teens search for identity in the high-pressure context of her fathers presidential campaign. Sameera has more than the usual challenges she is relentlessly pursued by paparazzi who are quick to point out that she was adopted from a village in Muslim Pakistan. Can she be American enough to satisfy voters? All teens know the pressure to conform, but Sameera (who likes to be in charge of her own life) has people telling her how to wave and what to say and making sure she understands what will happen to her fathers chances of winning if she doesnt do it right. She is a fun and resourceful teen whos brown skin and determination to stand up against injustice, make it impossible for her to fit into the Valley Girls image the campaigners think will appeal to voters.
Faith weaves its way through the story without being preachy. Sameera is concerned about her fathers unwillingness to discuss religion while shes not quite sure what she believes herself. But by the end Dad has decided he cant lead this country without committing himself to spend more time in prayer.
Perkins calls her candidate a Republican although his political ideals are a far cry from most Republicans I know. Mom is an activist for internally displaced people. Both candidates were respected, Perkins writes of the election, even if people disagreed with their politics, because neither had resorted to the ugly smearing and hate ads that had marked previous campaigns. Bloggers everywhere were noting that this year, it seemed like Americans were voting for a candidate instead of against one. (p. 261) Ah, that we would see that in reality.
Written with lots of blogs and texts, this is light treatment of what could easily have been a heavy theme. Extreme American Makeover nudges young people to be aware of how those in our midst who were born in other cultures might feel. The perspective here is much broader than narrow-minded jingoism.
The scenario of dad running for president is not exactly realistic for most of us, but hey! Didnt we say this was about a glamorous makeover? Its fun and full of things to think about.
Faith weaves its way through the story without being preachy. Sameera is concerned about her fathers unwillingness to discuss religion while shes not quite sure what she believes herself. But by the end Dad has decided he cant lead this country without committing himself to spend more time in prayer.
Perkins calls her candidate a Republican although his political ideals are a far cry from most Republicans I know. Mom is an activist for internally displaced people. Both candidates were respected, Perkins writes of the election, even if people disagreed with their politics, because neither had resorted to the ugly smearing and hate ads that had marked previous campaigns. Bloggers everywhere were noting that this year, it seemed like Americans were voting for a candidate instead of against one. (p. 261) Ah, that we would see that in reality.
Written with lots of blogs and texts, this is light treatment of what could easily have been a heavy theme. Extreme American Makeover nudges young people to be aware of how those in our midst who were born in other cultures might feel. The perspective here is much broader than narrow-minded jingoism.
The scenario of dad running for president is not exactly realistic for most of us, but hey! Didnt we say this was about a glamorous makeover? Its fun and full of things to think about.
June 20, 2019
Trying out some more Mitali Perkins. This was a fun quick read; sorta in the "fluffy" category, but the fashion angst + political tension was balanced out by Sameera's exploration of the faith her family has raised her in (found this portrayal interesting because it's definitely not a Christian book per se, but gets into what faith looks like in one family's life without making it enough to turn off secular readers) and how her Pakistan identity meshes into a world of American politics. Some heavy-handed diversity messages, but many well-placed and appropriately empowering. Cute, though not as good as You Bring the Distant Near.
March 18, 2012
I really wanted to like this book and I think I would've if I wasn't spoon fed the moral of this story. That it's important to be yourself. This was basically reiterated throughout the entire book and it got really stale after the first three pages. I wish Sparrow would've been more fleshed out. Had other conflicts in her life, but nope it's all about how her dad's evil publicist is trying to make her into Sammy instead ofSparrow. Even her blogging skills are lackluster and comes off as fake. You can totally tell the author is trying to be "hip" . There are points of the book that I can't tell if Sparrow is supposed to be twelve or forty. I think if Perkins wouldn't have tried so hard to make Sparrow come off as a teen it would've made the book so much better.
Best Feature: Diversity: I love that Sparrow isn't your cookie cutter president's kid (i.e. she's adopted and is from Pakistan). This is a huge plus and was one of the things that actually drew me into the book itself. I thought it would add extra dimension to the book and in a way it did. However, there were points it just seemed like this aspect was hammered into the reader's head rather than just being a part of who Sparrow is.
Worse Feature: Too Young or too Old?: Sparrow seems much younger than she's supposed to be. To be frank, often the writing felt forced. Maybe it would've helped had the book been written in first person, but I've read plenty of third person novels where I can connect to the character. I never really could connect to Sparrow. Not even in her blog posts. She just seemed to simply be regurgitating a message that Perkins wants to get across which can get very annoying. Arguably books are supposed to get messages across, but I don't think it needs to be slapped in one's face. Plus, I can't help saying this but could Perkins have cared to be non-partisian. I'm not stating what political affiliation I am, but I can see this book polarizing a good half of the USA. And yes, I know that the president is more than likely to be either Democrat or Republican, but there are ways you could've avoided having to put a label on Sparrow's father's political party.
To See Full Review Click Here: http://yalbookbriefs.blogspot.com/201...
Best Feature: Diversity: I love that Sparrow isn't your cookie cutter president's kid (i.e. she's adopted and is from Pakistan). This is a huge plus and was one of the things that actually drew me into the book itself. I thought it would add extra dimension to the book and in a way it did. However, there were points it just seemed like this aspect was hammered into the reader's head rather than just being a part of who Sparrow is.
Worse Feature: Too Young or too Old?: Sparrow seems much younger than she's supposed to be. To be frank, often the writing felt forced. Maybe it would've helped had the book been written in first person, but I've read plenty of third person novels where I can connect to the character. I never really could connect to Sparrow. Not even in her blog posts. She just seemed to simply be regurgitating a message that Perkins wants to get across which can get very annoying. Arguably books are supposed to get messages across, but I don't think it needs to be slapped in one's face. Plus, I can't help saying this but could Perkins have cared to be non-partisian. I'm not stating what political affiliation I am, but I can see this book polarizing a good half of the USA. And yes, I know that the president is more than likely to be either Democrat or Republican, but there are ways you could've avoided having to put a label on Sparrow's father's political party.
To See Full Review Click Here: http://yalbookbriefs.blogspot.com/201...
September 3, 2008
Sameera Righton is used to being the daughter of political parents, and she has spent the last few years tucked away in a boarding school in Europe, living as normal a life as possible. But now everything is going to change. Sameera's father is running in the Republican primary, and as school ends, Sameera joins the campaign.
First up is a radical makeover. Next, is a name change--after all, Sammy sounds much more All-American than Sameera. The PR experts on her father's campaign even make a fake blog for her--complete with breezy teen chatter and name brand dropping.
For the most part, Sameera is able to take a step back and watch herself become a celebrity. But soon, she begins to realize that maybe, the American people might be more interested in the real Sameera than the fake Sammy.
This book has terrible packaging--it makes it look tween for sure. I was sure that Sameera was no older than thirteen. But surprise! She's sixteen! And the book is much smarter and more interesting than I expected it to be. Sameera isn't wide-eyed and stupid and getting swept away by the big bad world of politics and paparazzi. She knows what she's getting herself into, and that's refreshing.
Unfortunately, Sameera also feels a little too mature and self-aware for a sixteen-year-old. She's too above it all, too smart for her own good, and that does get grating after a while. Sameera is a little too perfect. She's mature! And she doesn't let fame go to her head! And she's a good writer with a circle of caring intelligent friends who adore her! Gag.
I have the second book in this series out from the library, and I liked it enough to keep reading, so I'll keep you posted.
First up is a radical makeover. Next, is a name change--after all, Sammy sounds much more All-American than Sameera. The PR experts on her father's campaign even make a fake blog for her--complete with breezy teen chatter and name brand dropping.
For the most part, Sameera is able to take a step back and watch herself become a celebrity. But soon, she begins to realize that maybe, the American people might be more interested in the real Sameera than the fake Sammy.
This book has terrible packaging--it makes it look tween for sure. I was sure that Sameera was no older than thirteen. But surprise! She's sixteen! And the book is much smarter and more interesting than I expected it to be. Sameera isn't wide-eyed and stupid and getting swept away by the big bad world of politics and paparazzi. She knows what she's getting herself into, and that's refreshing.
Unfortunately, Sameera also feels a little too mature and self-aware for a sixteen-year-old. She's too above it all, too smart for her own good, and that does get grating after a while. Sameera is a little too perfect. She's mature! And she doesn't let fame go to her head! And she's a good writer with a circle of caring intelligent friends who adore her! Gag.
I have the second book in this series out from the library, and I liked it enough to keep reading, so I'll keep you posted.
January 30, 2013
Protagonist Sameera Righton is a confident world citizen teenager, athelete, and blogger, arriving in California from the end of school term in Brussels. She is also the Pakistani-born, adopted daughter of a former U.S. Congressman-turned-diplomat who is campaigning for President of the United States. Her mother is Elizabeth Campbell, a human-rights activist who consults for organizations like the United Nations. On one hand, Sameera thinks she is ready for the spotlight - and all that the family's newly-hired publicity team can teach her. On the other, Sameera has an attitude and a voice all her own. She revels in a makeover - the sassy fashions and new hairstyle, and all the attention that comes with a more mature look. What she doesn't care for is the new SammySez.com web blog that comes with the political territory - to make her seem "American" for the voting public. She'd much rather use the voice she normally reserves for her own private blog.
At first, she opts for a quiet summer on her grandmother's Ohio dairy farm, hanging out with her cousin, watching from afar. The campaign gets personal as reporters descend upon the farm, making it clear that Sameera should be a presence with her parents in Washington. As she settles into D.C., she reaches out to a group of college students campaigning for her father's Presidency. While trying to disguise herself in public, wearing a traditional salwar kameez and headscarf, she finds the experience revealing in more ways than one. Sameera discovers that there is more than one way to make yourself heard. Things CAN get better if you are truly yourself.
For ages 11-15.
At first, she opts for a quiet summer on her grandmother's Ohio dairy farm, hanging out with her cousin, watching from afar. The campaign gets personal as reporters descend upon the farm, making it clear that Sameera should be a presence with her parents in Washington. As she settles into D.C., she reaches out to a group of college students campaigning for her father's Presidency. While trying to disguise herself in public, wearing a traditional salwar kameez and headscarf, she finds the experience revealing in more ways than one. Sameera discovers that there is more than one way to make yourself heard. Things CAN get better if you are truly yourself.
For ages 11-15.
August 2, 2008
This very enjoyable novel is about Sameera Righton, the adopted (from Pakistan) daughter of the Republican presidential nominee. The novel follows Sameera as she learns to trust her instinct that the American people are ready to accept her as she really is instead of relying on the manufactured image of the shallow, mindless teen that her father's handlers have prepared for her.
While this book carries a great message for teen and preteen girls, its most significant characteristic that it is just really enjoyable. Sameera is an interesting, likable character who really thinks about her life. She is surrounded by a cast of loving and decent family and friends. Mitali Perkins did a great job with the minor characters in this novel.
Another thing I really liked about this novel was that because Sameera really thinks about her life, the reader is presented with any number of ideas about topics that might have seemed outside the scope of the novel about a teen girl's journey to becoming the First Daughter, such as how a bhurka could be seen both as a symbol of oppresssion and freedom to its wearer and the presence of child slavery in the modern world. These topics are presented intelligently and sensitively. I also liked the fact that both presidential candidates were presented as capable individuals, either of whom would have brought intelligence, ability, and decency to the White House.
I had a minor quibble with the ending, but overall this was a book well worth reading and one I'd recommend to preteens, teens and their mothers.
While this book carries a great message for teen and preteen girls, its most significant characteristic that it is just really enjoyable. Sameera is an interesting, likable character who really thinks about her life. She is surrounded by a cast of loving and decent family and friends. Mitali Perkins did a great job with the minor characters in this novel.
Another thing I really liked about this novel was that because Sameera really thinks about her life, the reader is presented with any number of ideas about topics that might have seemed outside the scope of the novel about a teen girl's journey to becoming the First Daughter, such as how a bhurka could be seen both as a symbol of oppresssion and freedom to its wearer and the presence of child slavery in the modern world. These topics are presented intelligently and sensitively. I also liked the fact that both presidential candidates were presented as capable individuals, either of whom would have brought intelligence, ability, and decency to the White House.
I had a minor quibble with the ending, but overall this was a book well worth reading and one I'd recommend to preteens, teens and their mothers.
February 14, 2013
Meh. Nothing to write home about, but if teens are looking for a fun read this is a good one. I'm not a fan of Perkins' writing style -- she tends to tell us instead of showing us, which, to me, takes away a lot of the fun of reading novels. Otherwise, I think Perkins handles the adoption issue pretty well. I didn't find myself cringing or groaning or wanting to pull my hair out while reading about the protagonists' adoption, so that's definitely a good sign. In other words, the author wasn't too sappy about, faced issues head on, didn't overly dramatize it, and managed to make Sameera a "normal" trans-racially adopted teen.
I also loved that the protagonist is a person of color. That said, Perkins doesn't make Sameera/Sparrow seem too exotic, so the fact that she's not white probably won't alienate white readers.
My one issue (besides the writing style) is that the campaign managers kept trying to make Sameera/Sparrow appear ditzy, which didn't seem very realistic to me. I'd think campaign managers would want a presidential candidate's daughter to appear intelligent and well-spoken instead of a ditzy, silly teeny bopper type. (Do people still say "teeny bopper?" Am I showing my age here?)
I also loved that the protagonist is a person of color. That said, Perkins doesn't make Sameera/Sparrow seem too exotic, so the fact that she's not white probably won't alienate white readers.
My one issue (besides the writing style) is that the campaign managers kept trying to make Sameera/Sparrow appear ditzy, which didn't seem very realistic to me. I'd think campaign managers would want a presidential candidate's daughter to appear intelligent and well-spoken instead of a ditzy, silly teeny bopper type. (Do people still say "teeny bopper?" Am I showing my age here?)
October 18, 2012
This is the first book I have ever read from Mitali Perkins, but I have to admit this was a very great book. I give it 5 stars. "Sammy" get transformed from Sameera. She had to become "all American." She had someone who had an official blog for her at the same time was made-up by professional dressers and hair dressers. She never actually had a chance to speak her mind though.
What I like about this book and Sameera is that even though she did not speak her mind immediately, which disapointed me, she at least had the courage when things got too uncomfortable, to stand up for herself and not back down no matter what anybody said to her.
I recommend this book to any girl between the ages of 12-14. Very exciting book. I must admit the beginning is pretty boring but once you get towards the middle of the book once the campain starts heating up, it gets more interesting. I hear she has another book that comes right after it but in the meantime, I'm just going to be looking out for it.
What I like about this book and Sameera is that even though she did not speak her mind immediately, which disapointed me, she at least had the courage when things got too uncomfortable, to stand up for herself and not back down no matter what anybody said to her.
I recommend this book to any girl between the ages of 12-14. Very exciting book. I must admit the beginning is pretty boring but once you get towards the middle of the book once the campain starts heating up, it gets more interesting. I hear she has another book that comes right after it but in the meantime, I'm just going to be looking out for it.
September 21, 2013
Sameera "Sparrow" Righton is adopted from Pakistan. Although she loves her political dad, and her "help the needy" mom, she can't help but feel different here in America. Especially when her dad gets nominated by the Republican committee to run for president. But soon racial problems heat up fast. And so does Sparrows personal blog to all of her friends. www.sparrowblog.com is Sameera's only contact with her buds during the campaign. But what America doesn't know, is that Sameera lives a double, maybe even triple life! "Sparrow" as her parents would call her is the kind-hearted, good-willed teenage girl she's always been. But the camping team creates "Sammy" the all American bubbly, sophisticated teenage diva. And all the while she's still "Sameera" the Pakistani girl, who never seems to fit in. As Sameera balances her triple life, she finds that she just wants to be herself. In everybody's eyes. And she definitely shows America that when Sparrow's personal blog goes nation wide. But is she ready for it?
November 29, 2009
Sameera (aka Sparrow) is the only daughter of Presidential candidate James Righton and his wife, Elizabeth. She just so happens to be adopted and it's her international appeal that creates a stir with the papparazzi who continue to bombard her with ignorant questions about her education, her travels and her upbringing.
So far (I'm 10 chapters in), Sameera is a sophisticated, intelligent and unique young woman who I wish I could've been at her age. She's presented with the challenge of somehow surviving her teen years in front of the cameras during her father's Presidential campaign.
The staff want her to American-ize her image and provide her with a new name (Sammy) and blog that is supposedly written by her.
How will she get through the campaign and which version of herself will ultimately survive? I'm eager to find out just how successful she is with keeping her identity and helping her family win the race to the White House.
So far (I'm 10 chapters in), Sameera is a sophisticated, intelligent and unique young woman who I wish I could've been at her age. She's presented with the challenge of somehow surviving her teen years in front of the cameras during her father's Presidential campaign.
The staff want her to American-ize her image and provide her with a new name (Sammy) and blog that is supposedly written by her.
How will she get through the campaign and which version of herself will ultimately survive? I'm eager to find out just how successful she is with keeping her identity and helping her family win the race to the White House.
January 4, 2016
This book has a deceiving cover. I thought it would be about a preteen girl learning to live with her father becoming president like the Princess Diaries or something. It's a lot more than that. The main character is sixteen, and she seems older, since she's very self assured and confident, having grown up the daughter of diplomats in several different countries around the world. (That part was very authentic to me since the author seems to have had a similar childhood). It wasn't about her making bad choices and learning and growing - she was already a mature individual and the book is more about her learning to live as her own authentic self within the constraints that people around her, from her white family to her new south asian friends, put on her. This book does not underestimate teens, and doesn't talk down or condescend to the reader. I really enjoyed this and I am excited to find the next book(s?) in this series.
March 11, 2009
Okay, this is a really great book. Sameera Righton, Pakistani-American, very patriotic, is becoming all-American. Her dad is running for president, so she becomes a celebrity. (Personally, I would NOT like to be a celebrity - no privacy @ all!) Anyways, she and her totally awesome family stick together through thick and thin, papparatzi, covert meetings, and her sneaking out to meet with her awesome friends. Her dad wins, she is a first daughter, but still speaking and blogging her own mind.
Her character/persona is inspiring. Slightly discriminated against, but courage and free spirit filled. She meets my qualifications as a friend.
A good book should draw you gently in, until you become a part of it.
Her character/persona is inspiring. Slightly discriminated against, but courage and free spirit filled. She meets my qualifications as a friend.
A good book should draw you gently in, until you become a part of it.
May 8, 2008
Really cute story about Sameera, the adopted Pakistani daughter of a Republican presidential candidate- I think she's based on John McCain's youngest daughter. Sameera is very likable & realistic,& smart too, & I especially liked that her dad was a Republican, not only because I am but because it seems like the majority of characters in books I've read are liberal, when they have a political preference, so this was a nice change. I also liked reading about a girl who was adopted. And you can actually go online & visit Sameera's blog. I could see this being made into a movie, or even a TV show.
June 8, 2011
I have heard good things about Mitali Perkins, and thought I'd check this out. I did think this was well-written, and I liked the set-up. But Sameera came off as very young and immature in the beginning - maybe 12 or 13, not 16. Politically speaking, I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief (yeah, the major Presidential candidates are a diplomat who's been abroad for the last 15 years, and a single mom: uh-huh, riiiiight). The "blog posts" - both genuine and manufactured - were mostly pretty bad. And the end was truly painful (and even more difficult to believe). It's a shame, because this started out so strong too, and I liked the message she was trying to convey.
February 11, 2008
this is book is a great read, but it was a bit cheesy and predictable. I really like how she could go around and be herself with out the press finding her by wearing a bhurka (is that what its called?). In this book you watch an independent girl find out what happens when you become famous in America today. Her dad (a president to-be) has several people working for him and they want to change her style and make her more American. She goes along with it only because she wants her dad to win and they tell her it will help, but after a while she just can't handle it anymore and she speaks out.
March 16, 2018
I picked up this book (and its sequel; I read them out of order) because I like reading about families of state leaders and high-level politicians, be they real or fictional. I didn't really expect much from it, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of depth it had. The culture clashes between Pakistani-American Sameera and the all-American "Sammy" her PR team wants her to be are well-done, as are the parallel generational clashes between the less conservative Republicans (Sameera and her parents) and their more conservative counterparts (her grandparents).
April 6, 2010
Adopted from Pakistan at a young age, Sameera (Sparrow to her friends) has traveled all over the world with her political family, and is usually unnoticed. When her father enters the presidential race, Sameera is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, and the PR people want to make her more "American". She goes along with their ideas for a bit, but with the help of some new friends decides that what she really wants is to be true to herself.
March 18, 2012
This book had many problems. The plot seemed to ramble with no clear point. The author explained some stuff in too much detail and other stuff not at all. The voice and tone of the book came off as someone who was trying too hard to be cool and wasn't pulling it off. The characters made little sense in how they related to each other and the plot. Overall, I would not recommend it to any of my students.
January 23, 2017
The word that comes to mind is DELIGHTFUL. Points for being the teenage daughter of a Republican who doesn't fight her father's ideals every step of the way, and more points for featuring a normal teenager who makes smart decisions which do not revolve around boys. Even more points for blending diversity organically into the story, rather than wrapping the whole book in a pedantic message about how Being Different Is Hard.
October 19, 2013
Mitali Perkins is a great example of a global author, whether her book is set outside the US as in Rickshaw Girl or is following the Pakistani-born, internationally raised, all-American adopted daughter of a presidential candidate. In many ways, this is a typical light piece of chick-lit for teens, but with hints at depth as Sameera deals with questions of both race and religion. This is the perfect American-based book for an international school library!
November 7, 2014
This book was fairly good, if a bit cheesy and unrealistic at times. Sameera is a very strong girl and definitely knows what she wants, which is nice to see in a book. On a side note, the book is a lot better than the cover. I think this is a particularly good time to read the book, what with all the controversy going on in this presidential election.
February 25, 2009
This book was better for sure than I thought it would be. Her father, who is running for president, is actually a Republican. Sort of. Anyhow, this took a different spin on the old idea of the President's Daughter, which has been done a million times. I wish I could give this 2 1/2 stars, and I might change my mind and give it three, but honestly I got a bit bored in the middle...
Read
October 5, 2010A fun look at what it's like to be the would-be president's daughter, great for younger YA audiences who aren't quite ready for Ellen Emerson White's series. At the same time, deals with some thought-provoking cultural issues without hitting the reader over the head.
Review to come at Finding Wonderland.
Review to come at Finding Wonderland.
July 28, 2011
Fun and interesting perspective on a presidential election campaign - and it's pre-Obama. Fun and light treatment of serious themes and ideas - it sticks with you for a while - as an adult reader. Idealized US politics, assertive characters, very rosy version of the world. I enjoyed her follow-up book too, "White House Rules".
Read
August 25, 2014Although this book had a promising premise, it was so poorly written that I just could not get through it. The author tried way too hard to capture a teenage girl's voice and, in failing, sounded silly and disingenous. So many themes would be applicable to my curriculum, but I just couldn't get past the writing.
September 30, 2008
I liked using this book for discussion because it looks at the question of why we label people based on their ethnicity if they are brown/black/yellow skinned but not if they are white skinned. For a teen book it was the meat that was surrounded by the fluff
November 8, 2008
I love this book. It is about a president's daughter who is East Indian American and her quest to make people understand who she is. She is adopted and so her parents are white. She is a spunky, strong character. Sql=First Daughter: White House Rules
November 29, 2008
Fun, light, and enjoyable. While her father's campaign for President is the catalyst for the plot, it doesn't ever become the plot, which was kind of nice.
Fabu clothes, wee bits of boy trouble, cows, and (of course) Finding Yourself.
What's not to like?
Fabu clothes, wee bits of boy trouble, cows, and (of course) Finding Yourself.
What's not to like?
May 27, 2012
I loved this book. I absolutely could not put it down. It had the right amount of worries and problems for a political book, ;) but it was still a fun story with its twists and turns, but I could totally guess the ending, though...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews