Customer Reviews

As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President!

5 star:		(16)
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As if Being 12 3/4 isn't Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President is by far one of the best books I've read for this age group. Vanessa is a wonderful character that both boys and girls will relate to. Her gawky awkwardness is believable and...hilarious, truly "milk through the nose funny." She's a normal girl in an extraordinary situation. You can't help but love her. Her mother is also in an extraordinary circumstance (running for president), but her struggle as a single mom trying to juggle her career and her relationship with her daughter is touching and very real.

Kids will love this book! The mix of suspense, humor, and fantastic characters will keep even reluctant readers enthralled to the very end. I hope there's a sequel. I can't wait to read more about Vanessa, a smart, funny, endearing and incredibly memorable girl.

I absolutely loved this book, and I think young girls everywhere should read it. I haven't read much juvenile fiction since I was a kid, but now that my daughter is getting older I know I will be starting again. I forgot how wonderful these books about teenage girls can be! I think it's terrific that there are books like this one out there that can make kids feel that they are not alone with their concerns. And since this book was absolutely hilarious, I love how it can make girls feel "normal" (and maybe even allow them laugh about some their insecurities!)

I can't rave enough about AS IF BEING 12 3/4...! This book dealt with so many issues that are pertinent to today's young girls -- mother/daughter relationships, single parenting, working mothers, crushes, embarrassing moments, and normal teenage insecurities. I think most girls will relate to at least a few of these topics. Not only do I appreciate how Ms. Gephart handled all of these topics in this book, but the storyline is also very interesting. By having Vanessa's mom run for president, the reader gets some insight into the presidential campaign and election process -- and it's in a very fun way, not like a boring history class!

While I did find this book hilarious and I can admit that I laughed out loud many times, I was also touched by Vanessa's story. Vanessa was a very sensitive young woman who was dealing with a lot of changes. Pre-teen and early teen-age years are difficult in the best of times, but Vanessa had a lot more to deal with than the average young girl. Not only was her mom away campaigning, but Vanessa was also coming to terms with losing her father. In addition, she was filled with the normal teenage insecurities; but on top of that, she had to handle one huge insecurity -- fearing for her mother's life. I love how the author was able to balance the book between being entertaining and addressing deeper, more serious issues.

AS IF BEING 12 3/4... is Ms. Gephart's first novel. If this book is any indication, I think she will be a "player" in juvenile fiction. I loved the character of Vanessa, and I thought the author developed her extremely well. Vanessa was a very realistic (and bright) young woman who had many of the same insecurities that I remember having as an early teenager -- except hers were magnified because her mother was in the spotlight. Ms. Gephart chose to write the novel in Vanessa's voice; and I think without a doubt that she captured the essence of a teenage girl!

If you'd like to learn a little more about Ms. Gephart and her book, she a terrific website as well as a blog. I had a great time playing around on her website. There is an excerpt of the story as well as presidential puzzles and trivia associated with the book. You will no doubt get an idea of Ms. Gephart's amazing sense of humor!

My daughter, who recently turned 9 years old, loved this book too! She actually read this book before I did -- I probably shouldn't have let her do that! She devoured it in two days. That's quite a feat considering it is 227 pages, and she's in school and lots of after-school activities. She carried this book everywhere with her. After I completed the book, I was pretty sure that she didn't understand every aspect of the book; and that's probably a good thing. There were a few things in this book that were geared towards girls a little older than 9 -- interest in boys, the "Boob Fairy," and spelling words that included a female body part. I thought all of these references were appropriate and well-done (and very, very funny), but there were way above my daughter's head. She was actually a little young for this book and didn't fully appreciate the trials and tribulations of a 12 year old Vanessa. She (like her father) is a political junkie, and she was more interested in learning what is involved in running for president. I am definitely going to have her re-read this book in a few years because I know she will love it for a whole bunch of different reasons!

My Daughter's Thoughts: Wow! I had the best time reading AS IF BEING 12 3/4 ISN'T BAD ENOUGH, MY MOTHER IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT! My favorite part of the book was when I found out that Vanessa's mother had a very good chance of winning the nomination. I thought it was really good every time she made a speech and tried to get closer to her dream.

I learned about what was happening during an election. I didn't know that an election has so many parts. Since the election is soon, I know some of the steps and I'll understand what is happening.

I love Vanessa and all her self-talk. Her self-absorption is typical for kids that age, and I think a lot of readers will identify with her insecurities and sensitivities. Some important issues (single parenting, peer relationships, mother-daughter relationships, self-image problems, etc.) were addressed, and the element of mystery added another dimension which I found very appealing. All in all, a fun read!

Although I am nowhere close to being 12 3/4 except in dog years, As if Being 12 3/4 isn't Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President, took me back to my middle school years and allowed me to laugh at my younger self. From Vanessa's worries, her obsession with the wrong boy, her having to spell every big word in every conversation... Donna Gephart hits all the right notes.

This book is huge fun. Girls especially will love the story, relate to the characters, learn a little more about politics, and perhaps love their mothers even more after reading it.

This is a funny, believable portrait of a middle school girl. It doesn't even mention cliques and eating disorders, but does provide a unique combination of focuses for the usual early teen angst: spelling bees and politics.
It gives young readers a timely look at the inside of a campaign from the point of view of a kid who's not at all happy her mom is running for president. Perfect for the middle school girls on your list. Should provide them with some good laughs and a bit of topical current events education, with plenty of suspense to keep them turning the pages until the end.

While the plot of As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President lacks originality, I found the book to be a pretty fun read. This is Donna Gephart's first book, but she seems to have remembered well what it is like to be a 12-year-old girl. Vanessa Rothrock is a likeable character. She's a frizzy haired, flat-chested klutz who loves her Mom and misses her Dad. She desperately wants to win the Regional Spelling Bee so that she and her Mom can both make it to D.C. (She to the National Bee, and her Mom to the White House). She wishes that Reginald Trumball were her secret admirer, and that she could have a little privacy in life. Being followed around by a bodyguard all the time is not as glamorous as it sounds. But more than anything, she just wants her Mom to be safe and and have more time for her.

The relationship between Vanessa and her mother is probably the nicest aspect of this novel. Vanessa is not the perfect daughter. She's a bit whiny, and not terribly understanding how busy her Mom is running for president. She even causes her mother some major campaign problems when she sends off some poor responses to a teen magazine's questionnaire. Of course, her Mom is not perfect either. She misses Vanessa's County Bee, fails to make it to the emergency room when Vanessa breaks her wrist, and laughs when Vanessa shows her a threatening letter saying that Rothrock better not run for president, but there are wonderful moments too. I love how they always try to watch Gilmore Girls together. And when they can't, her Mom remembers to tape it so they can watch it together later. Also, her Mom does make it to the Regional Bee and is there to comfort Vanessa when she loses. They have a very realistic, loving relationship.

For the rest of this review and other reading suggestions, see my site.

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!

Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose

I borrowed this book from the library originally. It is so good, I had to buy it. Don't miss this!
Lori
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"As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President" is that rare book - a real hoot plus a touching story about mothers and daughters. LOL funny and full of relevant pop culture and political references
(think Malia and Sasha and Bristol and Chelsea.) The tween (almost a teen) voice is right on target. Highly entertaining!

I haven't been a teen for 53 years but I loved Donna Gephart's novel. I knew it would resonate with teenage emotions (some funny, some nostalgically horrid)but I didn't realize it would involve such skillful suspense writing. A good read for any age! I can't wait until her second novel comes out in February.