As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President!

February 11, 2008
Even though her breasts are “the size of cherry pits” and her widowed mother—the governor of Florida and a frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primaries—is rarely around, wonderful things are happening for seventh-grader Vanessa Rothrock. She wins the school spelling bee, and love notes from a secret admirer appear in her locker. Vanessa is proud of her mother's political success, but she grows weary of receiving motherly advice via telephone, e-mail and hastily scribbled notes. First-novelist Gephart adds a good degree of tension as Vanessa accidentally finds hate mail addressed to her mother; Vanessa is sure her mother is in imminent danger, but her mother—who happens to be meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger—explains that she receives dozens a day (“You should have seen the ones I got during the budget crunch,” says Gephart's Schwarzenegger. “Half the state wanted to pummel me to death with oranges”). Soon afterward, Vanessa begins receiving threatening letters at school from someone who wants her to pressure her mother into dropping out of the race. Gephart maintains the humor even as the stakes rise; she also successfully captures life in the public eye. She delivers a diverting story that also gives readers an intelligent look at primaries, caucuses and nominating conventions. Ages 8-12.

February 1, 2008
Gr 5-7-Vanessa Rothrock is much like any girl her age. She studies hard for spelling bees, loves her best friend, hates P.E., frets about her flat chest, and has a crush on the most popular boy in school. In other ways, she is very unusual. Vanessa has a bodyguard and fan mail. And her mom has little time for her because she is the governor of Florida, running for president. Likewise, this book is much like others for this audience. It is written in friendly first person and teaches nice lessons about growing up. When Vanessa and the candidate receive death threats, the girl's concern for her mother's safety is tender and adds an exciting mystery and climax to an already compelling story. Readers learn about the political process and motivations of people who work in this milieu despite the considerable risks and sacrifices. Information is woven seamlessly into the narrative. Vanessa's mother runs on a Democratic ticket, and the book is clear about the issues that motivate her, particularly gun control. Issues and relationships are somewhat simplified, but appropriately so."Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2008
Taking more than a few leaves from presidential family trees, Gephart creates a likable protagonist caught in circumstances that are by turns embarrassing, unpleasant, hopeful, and nerve wracking. Vanessa, a seventh-grade spelling whiz, lives in Floridas governors mansion because her mom is the states executive officer. Now that Mom has decided to run for president, Vanessa must deal with increased security at schoolwhere shes also suffering from a crush on a nasty boy and getting anonymous notes. Like Chelsea Clinton, to whom she compares herself, Vanessa is curly haired, brainy, and proud of her ambitious mom. But she doesnt like being left behind because of her mothers busy schedule, and things become edgy when notes in Vanessas locker turn from puzzling to threatening. The villain is finally revealed at the Democratic Convention, where he turns violentand the credibility of the tale spins out of bound. Its Vanessas emotional and social life that will keep readers engaged, and also the kids-eye view of a candidates campaigning.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2008
Vanessa would like to concentrate on spelling bees, her crush, and seventh grade. However, with her oft-absent governor mother running for president, there are distractions--particularly the threatening notes in her locker. Vanessa's subsequent worries are realistic, but her total ignorance about involvement in a national campaign is not.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)