Customer Reviews

The President's Daughter

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

White's "The President's Daughter" is undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever come across. Although there are 3 books in the series, most readers will enjoy the first book the most. Meg, a 16-year-old sophomore, is the focus of this book about a woman running for president in the early 80s. When her mother wins, Meg is thrown into a humorous and crazy whirlwind of political activities in addition to struggling with boy problems and french homework. She is one of the most endearing heroines in modern literature and her mother, Katharine Powers, exemplifies girl power. I first read this book in 5th grade and immediately fell in love with it. Now a sophomore in high school, I've read it at least 24 times and I find myself laughing through the whole book every time, even though I know most of the book by heart. In fact, I've got 2 copies of the novel because the pages fell out of my first copy after I reread it for the 12th time. I encourage all readers, especially females interested in politics, to take the effort to find the (sadly) out-print-novel. It is one of the best I've ever read.

The trilogy (The President's Daughter, White House Autumn, and Long Live the Queen) are my three favorite books from childhood...and some of the only ones I've kept and continue to re-read even now, at age 26. Ellen Emerson White succeeds in capturing the complexity of growing up and of relating to family and friends. But this isn't a book full of angst and self-pity! It's a joyous, funny portrait of a young lady who is coming into her own...the bumps in her life are not glossed over, but dealt with fairly and accurately. It's a timeless story, a pleasure to read at any age. I always wished for another couple books about Meg and her family.

I first read the first two books when I was in high school...in the 80s. I enjoyed them then, and sorely regret loaning them to a younger cousin when I got to college and was ostensibly 'too old' for them. My local bookstore didn't carry "God Save the Queen," so I've never read that one.

I'm 36 now, and I've read one heckuva lot of books. But two of that stay with me are "The President's Daughter" and "White House Autumn." Like the very best in young adult fiction (Harry Potter, etc.), the themes are universal, the characterization is excellent, and the glimpse into another world is fascinating.

I first red this book in 4th grade. It is still my absolute favorite. It is so down to earth, humorous and real. Incredible Amazing, totally beyond words.

I first read this book when I was about 15 or 16 years old. I was about the same age as Meg. I am now 26 years old and still recommending it for anyone to read. This book is one of the funniest, most honest and realistic books I have ever read. Meghan Powers is the main character and if it's not bad enough that she is going through the normal teenage problems, her mother has to run for President of the United States. Her mom winds up winning and the book goes through wonderful detail about the Presidential race -- from the decision to run to the Democratic convention all the way to the actual election and the gaining of new family members -- the Secret Service. Meg has two little brothers, Steven and Neal, who cause her untold grief, just like little brothers do (I have two myself!) and they all have to adjust to living in the White House with "The Cast of Thousands" as Meg and Steven have dubbed all the White House employees. They each have to adjust to new schools and Meg especially has to deal with all the kids thinking she is a snob just because she is shy and her mom is President. The family relates to each other in silly and quirky ways -- just like any family relates to each other. Meg's dad has to deal with being the first "First Gentleman" (instead of a First Lady). All in all, this book drew my interest into politics and I highly recommend anyone of any age to read it. Ms. White wrote it so well that it isn't even really dated -- except for the music mentioned. There were times in the book where I laughed out loud and got reprimanded by my parents, teachers, etc. (yes, I am a bookworm!). And there were other times where I actually cried. Meg triumphs in this book and when I was a teenager, I really wished I could be as cool as Meghan Powers. If you can get your hands on a copy, the sequel "White House Autumn" is as wonderful as "The President's Daughter" and even takes the story one step higher, if that's possible. Enjoy this book. I have and am getting a new copy because my original copy is completely worn out. Thank you, Ellen Emerson White for two wonderful stories. I am so glad you shared your wonderful talent with us readers!

I have read and reread (and loved, especially the first one) all three Meghan Powers books in their original editions. I am grateful to Hawk Publishing for reprinting these three books (now called the "President's Daughter" series) so that more people can enjoy them, but I do feel that people should know that these reprints are not high quality. They are trade paperbacks with bindings that seem sturdy enough, but the text is not at all crisp -- in fact, it looks like the publisher may have enlarged the pages from the original mass market editions on a Xerox machine and then reprinted these new editions from those copies. I am basing this guess on the fact that the text looks enlarged and somewhat blurry.

The covers of all three of the reprint editions are hideous; the first one shows a girl who looks to be about 8 or 10 years old instead of a teenager. ...

If you can get past all that, these books are marvelous to read. The first book in particular was very entertaining and educational to boot. I learned a lot about the nomination process used at the Democratic National Convention. Meg's "voice" is unique and distinctive, and a lot of the book is laugh-out-loud funny. Again, I am grateful to Hawk for reprinting these, even if the quality is a little disappointing.

I first picked it up in 1984, when I was 11 years old, and like other reviewers, have read it million times since then, and still have my original copy today, on my bookshelf, 25 years later. Looking back, Emerson White has probably formed a bit of my world outlook and personality, and I'm not complaining.

I read these books back in the 80's when I was in high school and just read them again at the age of 40 and still love them. I never knew there was a fourth book until now and cannot wait to read it.

I love these books. I bought the President's Daughter back in middle school and many years later decided to complete the collection. Like someone else said, it is my go to book. I can read it over and over and still find new things in it. It is actually also how I learned how the election worked!! The first is the best in the series, but anyone who reads this will not be disappointed by the quality of writing, depth of the characters and knowledge gained about a presidential family. Meg is a delight!

I bought this book based on other reviews and the plot seemed interesting enough. I LOVED this book and could not put it down. The characters are lively, the dialogue very fun to read, and the story line was original. I challenge anyone to read this book and not fall in love with the President's family. They're witty, likable, yet they have their problems like any normal family. A wonderful read. You'll definitely want to read the 2 sequels after this one. I know I do! Good luck finding them though. They're out of print and I'm still searching.