Running

This young-adult novel easily wins a top spot among the best books that I've found so far in 2020. It was a sheer escape for me, but also an inspirational look at civics in the United States. 15-year-old Mariana's dad, a Florida Senator, would seek the Presidency. How would the publicity and responsibility affect her own immediate family and, for that matter, her ties with public-school peers? This book jolted my neglect of the crushing lows and vital highs that come with intimate involvement in campaigning.Hoping to avoid spoilers, I'll share the following thoughts that arose while I was reading: Is any dad or mom in such a family willing to fully assess the risk of public (even illegal) scrutiny of their kids? Is a minor in that family allowed an opposing view to that of a governing parent? Will adults be prone to dismiss (or even insult) teens engaged in rallies and protests? In the story itself, how indeed was it that Cuban immigrants were granted green cards with far more relative ease than those from Haiti?While one typo early on was a bit distracting, that was the only glitch. I'm a bit giddy by the notion that this story may be provocative to some grownups -- e.g. a few profanities (reflecting how some contemporary teens speak), and progressive themes (LGBTQ+, environmental activism). There may also be gripes over one character, a U.S. citizen of Cuban descent, taking up a political stance that I've seen given a Spanish label roughly translating as "sellout," yet I welcomed this as a potential spark of discussion.

Amazing YA for all ages! Sylvester absolutely knocked it out of the park with this fantastic story of a young woman coming into her own and carving a space for herself within her family and friend groups. This story is so empowering; I wish I had something like this as a teen to remind me that I can make a difference and to put my effort toward good.

NO SPOILERS BTW SO YOU ARE GOOD! The plot is very easy to follow but still keeps you interested in small but important details that bring the story to a new level. My only critique with the book is that it takes WAY too long to start the meaty and very worth the reading part of the story. The book is tedious set up for the first 20 percent or so. I would say that if you skim that part but still make sure you are aware of what is going on this book is great. Overall this is a pretty well put together and thought out story of a teen overcoming her father and working towards what she believes in. The book is a PERFECT LENGTH for what I believe the story's message is even with some of those boring and difficult to follow moments in the beginning. I would recommend purchasing this as a kindle book because it's a slightly shorter book. If you are a teacher in grades 4-7 with mature students (in grade 4) this is a great choice for you. If you are a parent with a child ages 9-12 this is also a great choice to educate your child on voting and the true impact political candidates do have, this message deepens now that the election has passed and our government is going to change for hopefully the better. I highly recommend this. :)

This is a timely read about a family patriarch who decides to run for president..His daughter Mari is conflicted because she discovers thin gggs her father has sacrifices in order to get elected. The issues of climate change and access to safe drinking water. It's a very intense issues between them that makes this story relevant to today's issues

Natalia Sylvester has written great ode to today’s young activists. 16 yo Mari starts a school protest against corrupt contractors in her city. Turns out those contractors are backing her father’s campaign for President. Very timely story with the real Presidential election around the corner & young activists rising up around the world—Greta, Malala, the Parkland teens, etc. Congrats, Natalia.

Mariana’s father is running for President, he’s currently a Senator for Florida, running as a Latino candidate. Mariana loves her father, she admires his tenacity, his dedication to fight for what he believes and when we first meet her he believes he can do no wrong. Of course, this is a lie that is quickly dispelled as we grow older and we are forced to see that our parents are fallible and deeply human. It isn’t disrespect or disloyalty to question your parents, no matter what they’d have to say about the matter. Part of growing up is forging your own path, unlearning certain beliefs as you start delving into the world around you. Mariana is truly the girl character I would have wished I had growing up and one that I am so excited to share with my youngest sister and nieces. I’m proud that they’ll have Mariana as a role model. As we continue following the Ruiz family through Antonio’s presidential race, we see the cracks in the foundation, cracks that we are unaware of when we’re younger, but that seem so obvious as we continue to experience life. Mariana starts hanging out with an activist group at school that makes her aware of the power she holds because of her father, a power to make changes, to be heard when so often those around her are not, and when often decisions made by those in power affect those she loves. Mariana is afraid of this power because she doesn’t know how to wield it, and to be frank, she doesn’t want it. She’s learning to reconcile the fantasy she had of her parents, these people she put on pedestals, with humans that can make wrong decisions, while standing up for what she believes in, even when it goes against her family. At the same time, this power that she is learning about has her viewing her relationship with those around her, including her amazing friend, Gloria, who had hidden a part of her life because of her father’s beliefs. How much of a friendship is there when the power dynamics are tilted in your favor? Impact and intent are also explored in this book. Sometimes an ideology is filled with the best of intentions, but the execution towards these ideals deal with an impact that can’t be ignored. This was truly one of the best YAs I’ve read all year (in a year filled with amazing YA books). I was rooting for Mari from beginning to end, I understood her struggle to stand up for herself, to stand up against her family (while remaining loyal to them), to try to find out a way to be herself and still be by their side. It’s a struggle, one that’s not often talked about especially in a country where we already feel displaced and feel as if we have to stand up for our community no matter what. Mari shows us there’s a way to stand up for yourself and for them, a way to open a dialogue to get to feel content with yourself and your community. This was truly inspirational and I hope you all will give it a chance. Don’t forget to vote in this coming election too. This book is a reminder of how much power we have, how it matters that we stand up and have our voices heard.