Well, the reviews are in…Natalie told me it was “really good!” and Kate said “it’s really exciting right up to the end!” Given the fabulous student reviews, I had to read this Donna Gephart book during Spring Break.

Natalie and Kate were right! Kudos (Kudos. K-U-D-O-S. Kudos.) to Gephart. This book is another winner.

As if Vanessa Rothrock doesn’t have enough to contend with already - Preparing for the upcoming spelling bee by endlessly spelling out words; Worrying about tripping over her huge feet, while praying that her other body parts will catch up; Being followed everywhere by a huge bodyguard (and I mean EVERYWHERE!); Realizing that the cute boy she’s been crushing on is actually a neanderthal (Neanderthal. N-E-A-N-D-E-R-T-H-A-L. Neanderthal.); Worst of all, Vanessa is starting to feel like she has to make an appointment to see her mom, the one person she needs most of all. Her mother has been busy dealing with her work as the Governor of Florida.

And now her mother is running for President of the United States. Not only does Vanessa worry that she’ll never see her mother again, what if something bad happens to her? As Vanessa begins receiving threatening (Threatening. T-H-R-E-A-T-E-N-I-N-G. Threatening.) notes at school, it looks like her fears may prove to be very real! Somebody has to do something, and it’s looking like that someone will have to be Vanessa. But does she have the courage to do what needs to be done to protect her mother? And will her mother understand and forgive her? Well, you don’t expect me to tell you, do you? You’ll have to read this book to find out.
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Vanessa suffers the usual traumas for her age - flat chest, crush on a popular guy and being generally pretty clutsy. What sets her apart is her bodyguard and fan mail as her mother is running for president. Gives some insight into the political process and some issues. Language and story are rather ordinary, but should have an audience especially this year. ( )

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

As the governor's daughter, Vanessa Rothrock already has a complicated life. Not only is she a complete klutz, but she's the only kid in school with a bodyguard, she gets absolutely no privacy, and she has to make an appointment to see her own mother. Things would be much easier if she didn't spend her life in the scrutiny of the public eye, because, whenever in the spotlight, Vanessa will surely trip over her own gigantic feet.

Now that it looks like her mom might have a good shot at becoming a presidential candidate, everyone else is scurrying around, and all Vanessa wants is for her mother to drop out of the race. Is it really so wrong to just want your mom there, to see you win the county spelling bee and comfort you in the emergency room after you break your wrist in PE?

Then the letter appears in her locker, the one that threatens her to stop her mom's campaign. Frightened that her mother's life might be in danger, Vanessa decides that she has to deter her mom, no matter what.

Extremely well-written, this book surprised me with its humor, action, and poignancy. With this winning combination, this is a read you will certainly want on your ticket! ( )

Nothing too deep here. An inside look at a presidential campaign from the candidate's daughter's point of view. Not only is Vanessa the governor's daughter, she is a crackerjack speller and a subplot concerns her progress in the regional spelling bee. ( )