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A review by sunshine169
Running by Natalia Sylvester
5.0
We've all seen them standing behind their politician parent... many looking uncomfortable. After all, not every child falls in line with their parents political stances. I'd imagine that speaking up would be rather uncomfortable especially if the parent is not willing to really listen to their child.
Running by Natalia Sylvester hones in on this complex relationship. Sylvester takes us on a journey of what it is like trying to figure yourself out while your father runs for President of the United States. Mariana is 15 years old when her father, Senator Anthony Ruiz, decides to run for the Presidency. There were just so many things frustrating with being a child of someone in the spotlight. Her life is not her own. She has zero privacy. Strangers have opinions of her. Even going to school is a spectacle some days. People assume her father's views are her views and treat her poorly as a result. However, the Ruiz children have always just been props to their father's campaigns. Politics was never talked about in the house unless there was an event. Mari is given cue cards to read but no one ever actually asks her opinion. It is not until she meets some new friends that run an activist group at her high school that anyone actually asks her what she thinks.
It was interesting to read how Mari works through her feelings of wanting to be heard and not wanting to upset her father.
Thank you to Netgally and Clarion Books for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Running by Natalia Sylvester hones in on this complex relationship. Sylvester takes us on a journey of what it is like trying to figure yourself out while your father runs for President of the United States. Mariana is 15 years old when her father, Senator Anthony Ruiz, decides to run for the Presidency. There were just so many things frustrating with being a child of someone in the spotlight. Her life is not her own. She has zero privacy. Strangers have opinions of her. Even going to school is a spectacle some days. People assume her father's views are her views and treat her poorly as a result. However, the Ruiz children have always just been props to their father's campaigns. Politics was never talked about in the house unless there was an event. Mari is given cue cards to read but no one ever actually asks her opinion. It is not until she meets some new friends that run an activist group at her high school that anyone actually asks her what she thinks.
It was interesting to read how Mari works through her feelings of wanting to be heard and not wanting to upset her father.
Spoiler
Some moments I even feel bad for him, especially when he loses, but then he'll say something horrible to Mari and that goes out the window. spoiler I highly recommend this book. It tackles some important issues and challenges the reader.Thank you to Netgally and Clarion Books for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.