Yes She Can

February 15, 2019
Stories from those who worked amid the daily chaos, hope, and ambition of the Obama White House, where "Young women [could] get. Stuff. Done." The 10 women profiled include Molly Dillon, who worked on policy for kids in the foster-care system, and Taylor Lustig, who helped to organize Pope Francis' first visit to the United States. Vivian P. Graubard was in her 20s when she helped craft policy to fight human trafficking through digital technology. The native Spanish speaker traveled to Mexico, where she met with survivors of human trafficking and their families. Regularly working long hours and motivated by a strong sense of purpose and accomplishment, the women give readers windows into the everyday activities of the Obama administration--frequent staff meetings in D.C. coffee shops, mistakes they inevitably made, and the million little things it takes to pull off a public event at the White House. The ethnic and religious diversity of those profiled enriches the work, so the omission of Arab and Muslim voices is unfortunate, particularly given the administration's focus on Muslim affairs. The book ends with concrete advice for girls interested in getting involved in the government. A foreword by Yara Shahidi (not seen) and photos enhance the appeal of this engaging and readable work.An accessible tribute to the work of inspiring young women and a guide for those who wish to follow in their footsteps. (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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April 1, 2019

Gr 8 Up-Each essay in this collection zooms in on a significant day in the life of a young Obama Administration staffer, lending an exciting "Choose Your Own Adventure" quality to descriptions of working at a level that few will experience. Imagining oneself in the author's shoes is part of the fun, since each speaker communicates both relatable disbelief at her circumstances, and the sort of extreme competence you'd expect from a person in a leadership role at the White House in their (mostly early) 20's. Certain details of life in the administration appear in multiple accounts-Joe Biden going long with a speech; late nights and early arrivals; eating junk food (including "Presidential M&Ms") instead of dinner-as do deeper threads, like feeling the power of mentorship and the weight of helming efforts to fix pressing problems like human trafficking, or the complexity and risks inherent in taking on foster care or immigration reform. Several standout essays capture the power of having a seat at the table, as a child or grandchild of immigrants, and what it feels like to see other Latinx, African American, and Asian women in positions of authority. A foreword by actress Yara Shahidi (star of grown-ish) and a useful final chapter, "A Girl's Guide to Getting Into Government," round out a satisfying and inspirational anthology. VERDICT Readers of all ages who need a shot of hope, and especially young people planning to change the world, will learn from and enjoy this book.-Miriam DesHarnais, Towson University, MD

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2019
Grades 9-12 In autobiographical essays, 10 young women?�all in their twenties when their pieces take place?who held White House staff positions during the Obama administration reflect on their experiences. They held work assignments (policy advisor, assistant staff secretary, policy analyst) in high-profile areas (digital strategy, precision medicine, biosecurity). Their stories are told in first person, and while their backgrounds are diverse (the daughter of Haitian immigrants, the first Latina student body president at Harvard, a Moroccan Jewish immigrant from Paris), many shared traits emerge: humility, appreciation, sincerity, and a sense of wonder over what they were allowed to witness and accomplish. Many accounts center around a pivotal event and provide background information on the workings of government agencies and the White House. There are personal anecdotes, too?celebrity-spying on Ruth Bader Ginsburg, calling a BFF from Air Force One, even screwing up in front of The Man himself. Most important, these essays all reflect enthusiasm, optimism, and hope and should inspire others to pursue lives dedicated to public service.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)