Reviews

The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White

wendythegeekgoddess's review

1.0

Meg Powers never has her senator mother around so when she announces that she's running for president, you can imagine the disappointment in Meg who just wishes to have a normal family. Now all she can do is smile and pretend like it's not bugging her to maintain the 'image' of a happy family, when deep down inside Meg is desperately hoping her mother does not win the election.

I was so excited to read this book because I've heard so many good things about 'long may she reign' and then I see that this book had a 4 star review so I definitely had high hopes. To my disappointment it wasn't what I expected. The main conflicts in this book are internal, hardly any external ones so it wasn't that interesting. Since it deals with internal problems it would probably have been a bit more entertaining if it was told in first person point of view instead of third person. I tried to get into it, I really did, but it lacked climax as well as a good ol' external conflict. Although, I am going to give the second book a try, maybe the author just intended to make the first book as sort of an introduction to the series and with each book, it will just get better and better (hopefully) I hate to say it but wouldn't recommend to anyone. Rating:15 and over because of sexual content.

If you liked this, you'll love: "White house autumn" By: Ellen Emerson White, "All american girl" By: Meg Cabot

trin's review

4.0

Fabulous YA book about Meg, whose mother runs for president…and wins. Great characters, interesting tension—it felt very real. I’m glad I managed to get ahold of a copy of the book in its original release, as all the ’80s details were very fun (the new “updated” version [and how much do I hate the concept of “updating” books?] does have an intensely awesome cover, however). My one criticism would be that the book doesn’t resolve so much as just end, but I guess that makes me even more eager for the sequel.

bargainsleuth's review

2.0

The author updated the book by including references to email and the internet, but left many other things untouched which would confuse today's readers. Would a tween/teen know Annie Hall? I don't think so. Because this a YA book, clothing is talked about a lot and references are extremely dated and not revised. Also left in a reference to the most recent first lady, Nancy Reagan. Could have been better if the book had actually been updated consistently.

polestarneighbor's review

5.0

This is one of my favorite novels. The protagonist is witty and likable, and the book mixes humor with a bevy of relatable characters and some very serious issues. Despite the high-profile nature of the plot, the down-to-earth relationships between Meg and her family are definitely the best part.

myrtlegl's review

5.0

I loved this book so very much in middle school--how could I rate it less than five stars?

gailyo's review

4.0

I've always loved this book! The updates were nice and I'll be reading the rest of the series.

ipomoea's review

5.0

I cannot review this with any sort of objectivity, I've loved it since the first time I read it (at age 7!). Meghan was the girl I wanted to be when I grew up-- smart and sarcastic. I love the relationships between parents and kids, alternating between loving and antagonistic, like any family. My first copy is the yellow-sweatered Meg, who listens to records and watches MTV with her best friend Beth and the ever-dapper Preston, her mother's assistant. The most current copy I own is the pink-hoodied Meg, updated to include iPods and Comedy Central. This sets up the family and Meghan for the next three books. I feel like the action of the series culminates in #3 (Long Live the Queen), but #4 (Long May She Reign) was what I wanted, and gave closure to Meg's story so far.

ckausch's review

4.0

Ellen Emerson White is a YA author who's been around for years. One of her books, Life Without Friends, was one of my favorites when I was growing up. Her series about the daughter of the first female president has been out of print for a while, but she's updated parts of it and the books are being re-released. I say parts of it because the characters do email and text, but whenever they watch tv, it's dvds of old shows like The Brady Bunch and Hill Street Blues.

In The President's Daughter, Meg, a high school student, has to make adjustments as her mother, a Massachusetts senator, runs for president and wins, becoming the first female president (it's obvious why the books are being re-released now). When the family moves into the White House, Meg has to leave her best friend behind and start a new school while dealing with the strangeness of being in the spotlight and living in one of the most famous buildings in the country. Meg, like any teenager, argues with her mom and bickers with her brothers, but also has to worry about the pressures her parents are put under.

merkyr's review

3.0

Like a YA west wing reality show. Sometimes the pacing was super slow because it was very realistic, but I felt like they really came alive. Would be good for kids who think that US government is boring to read about.

stephwatt617's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0