Running

March 1, 2020
As her life begins to unravel, a teen struggles with her father's decision to run for president. Cuban American Mariana Ruiz has always supported her charismatic father's political ambitions. Mari and her family have been by his side during every campaign, from local South Florida positions to his current role in the U.S. Senate. But as the Florida primaries approach, the young woman balks at the growing demands expected of her and the breaches of her privacy. Running away right before a national televised family interview, she becomes the focus of viral videos and manufactured tabloid articles. Sylvester adeptly delves behind the scenes in political families' lives while presenting the complexity of a young woman realizing that her parents are not the heroes she always believed them to be. The diversity of South Florida is represented here with nuance; Mari's friends have Haitian, Dominican, and Peruvian ancestry, and Spanish is sprinkled throughout, adding to the narrative's setting. The characterization is multilayered; even Sen. Ruiz is multifaceted as a politician who struggles with staying true to his Latinx heritage and family while trying to cater to the pressures of his big developer donors. With subtle strokes, messages about the power of activism come through while never feeling preachy. The authentic voice will draw readers in and help them see themselves in Mari. A timely call to stand up for your beliefs. (Fiction. 14-18)

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Starred review from March 15, 2020
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Mari Ruiz has played the role of the senator's well-behaved daughter throughout her father's political career in Miami: no drama, just smiles. But since he announced his run for president, the media is zooming in close on Mari in particular, making privacy a thing of the past. At the same time, her best friend and her friend's mom abruptly find themselves forced out of their home, contaminated water is making people in Florida sick, and a student activism group at her high school is gathering steam. As Mari learns more about her father's policies, she finds that he's the common link and that doing what's right might mean going against his campaign. Sylvester's YA debut embodies the theme of our decade: to stand up and speak up for what we believe in. A real 2018 Florida bill inspired the protest that ultimately ensues in the book, heightening the urgency of the matter and coloring the truth behind the details. Mari's obliviousness to her father's position and lack of curiosity about her mother's past are offset by the gradual unraveling of the lives around her and her determination to finally seek answers by surrendering her assumptions. Sylvester expertly puts readers inside the pressured lives of a family in politics and reaffirms the adage that indeed, knowledge is power.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

June 26, 2020

Gr 8 Up-The better part of Cuban American teenager Mariana (Mari) Ruiz's life has been spent in smiling service to her father Senator Anthony Ruiz's political aspirations. Mari's unwavering support of her father, however, is tested by intense scrutiny during his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Increasing unease over her role comes to a head when Mari bolts prior to an important television interview. Fallout from her disappearing act strains Mari's relationship with her parents and worsens her status at school. While seeking social refuge with student activist Jackie Velez, Mari discovers that her father does not hold the values that she thought he did. Caught between supporting her family and standing up for what is right, Mari must choose a side that she believes in. Sylvester delivers a captivating coming-of-age narrative about the power of truth and finding your voice. Initially complacent and naive, Mari's growth reads genuine as she begins to push back against her father's campaign demands and question her privilege. The struggle between familial expectations and personal identity is something that will resonate with many readers. Diverse, complex secondary characters strengthen the narrative by presenting a well-rounded representation of South Florida. Sylvester's ultimate message is simple: be an agent of change by standing up for others and calling out injustice. VERDICT This powerful novel will provoke much discussion on topics like the political machine, youth activism, and environmental justice. Highly recommended for all libraries.-Pearl Derlaga, York County P.L., VA

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