02/03/2020

In this clever mystery with romantic elements, television writer Watson keeps readers guessing as she traces the angst-filled senior year of four best friends, one of whom is destined to become president of the United States. In Cleveland, Ava Morgan, CJ Jacobson, Jordan Schafer, and Martha Custis have been a “loyal and inseparable foursome” since they met in the park before kindergarten’s start. When that park is scheduled for demolition, waylaying a senior tradition, saving the park becomes their common concern. Individual worries also plague the young women: Latinx Ava is afraid to tell her lawyer mother about her hopes for art school; white CJ’s average SAT scores might curtail her dream of attending Stanford; and Martha, a questioning white lesbian named for ancestor Martha Washington, may be stuck attending Cleveland State unless she can drum up the funds for MIT. Meanwhile, biracial (half-black, half-white) school newspaper editor Jordan, more focused on the present than the future, hides a relationship with an older man. Featuring an ethnically and socioeconomically varied cast, Watson’s well-plotted debut delicately balances humor and weighty intersectional issues. Fast-paced action and sharp-witted dialogue prove to be a winning combination, drawing out suspense all the way to the presidential reveal. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kate Schafer Testerman, kt literary. (Mar.)

* "Inspiring and heartwarming."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Featuring an ethnically and socioeconomically varied cast, Watson's well-plotted debut delicately balances humor and weighty intersectional issues. Fast-paced action and sharp-witted dialogue prove to be a winning combination, drawing out suspense all the way to the presidential reveal."—Publishers Weekly

"Opens with a clever hook that will keep readers turning pages until the very end.... The dialogue is snappy and the plotting is sharp...considerable fun."—Booklist

"Debut author Watson creates four appealing and diverse young women.... A fun and light read."—School Library Journal

"[A] delightfully entertaining, well-rounded and compelling story.... Each character has her own complex side plot, but banding together is what helps each of them discover and solidify her place in the world."
—USA Today

"This feel-good teen audiobook is a perfect blend of drama and intrigue.... Listeners will be rooting for all the amazing girls in this uplifting story."—AudioFile

07/01/2020

Gr 7 Up—This story opens with a mysterious woman about to be inaugurated U.S. president. Listeners are given only her married last name. Then we jump back in time, to the senior year of high school for four girls. One of these girls will be the future president, but it is left to the listener to guess throughout the story which one it will be, until the reveal in the last chapter. Best friends since kindergarten, the girls are distinctly different, with each having her own special talent (artist, journalist, volunteer extraordinaire, scientifically brilliant) as well as baggage to overcome. Christie Moreau narrates engagingly with a youthful voice. Chapters are done from multiple third-person viewpoints, without much voice differentiation among characters. High school life is realistically portrayed with its ever-changing dynamics of relationships, stress about the future, and feelings of social inadequacy. Moreau's range handles the lively dialogue and fast pacing as well as capably reflecting the wonder of first love, along with the angst and nostalgia of senior year. VERDICT Give this to fans of touching coming-of-age stories who like a drop of mystery added. —Julie Paladino, formerly with East Chapel Hill H.S., NC

01/01/2020

Gr 7 Up—Four friends—Ava, CJ, Jordan, and Martha—who have been tight since kindergarten are entering their senior year and beginning to face the realization that they will all be going in different directions. The opening chapter establishes that one will become President of the United States, but readers don't know which one. Is it Ava, an artist who is struggling with her future choices; CJ, an earnest do-gooder; Jordan, a budding ace journalist; or Martha, a strong young woman who is facing some hurdles in life? As the novel spans a year of their experiences, a red herring is thrown in to muddy the waters as to who the future president could be. Debut author Watson creates four appealing and diverse young women; however, the narrative can seem formulaic and strives hard to check all the boxes, thus feeling like a made-for-TV movie. But this coming-of-age drama has a twist that will throw off readers as to which young woman becomes president, as all are smart and capable, and worthy of the office. Plus, the message of enduring friendships is always important for young people to read. VERDICT A fun and light read, this book will appeal to teens who like contemporary fiction. A solid purchase.—Nancy McKay, Byron Public Library, IL

This feel-good teen audiobook is a perfect blend of drama and intrigue. Narrator Christie Moreau introduces listeners to four friends who have been together since kindergarten—Ava, CJ, Jordan, and Martha. Now an adult, one of them is moments away from being sworn in as the next president of the United States. But which one it is remains a mystery to be revealed after each girl’s strengths and personality is revealed. The talented Moreau’s youthful voice is realistic and casual, emphasizing the endearing dialogue and empowering friendships. She paces the frequent narration changes well, but distinguishing each character’s backstory can be difficult at first. Regardless, listeners will be rooting for all the amazing girls in this uplifting story. E.P. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

★ 2019-12-16
The future is female: Her name is President Diffenderfer.

Best friends since kindergarten, Ava, CJ, Jordan, and Martha tackle their senior year with great aplomb in Watson's debut. When their senior rite of passage, carving one's name into the jungle gym at a local park, is threatened by a city council that wants to demolish the park, the girls rally to save the place where they became friends. This is far from their only problem: Though each is talented, they struggle this year with emotional, academic, social, and financial issues. Latinx artist Ava, who lives with depression, desires to find her birth mother and attend art school against her mother's wishes; white cross-country athlete CJ, who is self-conscious about her body, can't crack the SATs, so she strengthens her college application by volunteering with disabled children; biracial (black/white) student journalist Jordan lies about her age to interview a handsome councilman's aide, and a mutual crush develops; STEM-focused white lesbian Martha, named for her ancestor Martha Washington, worries that her family can't afford MIT. Over the course of the year, the friends weather obstacles and realize the power of their friendship. Their relationship prepares one of the girls to become president of the United States, and the twist ending will come as a surprise. The characters are superbly drawn; portrayed as whole people, the various elements of their identities are not the entirety of who they are.

Inspiring and heartwarming. (Fiction. 12-16)