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

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.

"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!

A+

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.

There's a lot to like in Donna Gephart's first book, as if being 12-3/4 isn't bad enough, my mother is running for president. Vanessa Rothrock is nearly 13 and already used to the limelight because she's the Florida governor's daughter. But when her mother decides to run for president, and it looks like she stands a good chance of winning, Vanessa's life intensifies. Gephart gives us a good glimpse into the family life of a presidential candidate--hint: there's not much family time--while also capturing pre-teen angst quite well.

Vanessa's concerns will have moms remembering their own middle school years while being reminded of what their daughters of the same age may be going through. Girls will be able to identify with many of the same issues Vanessa experiences, and maybe learn a few things from her mistakes.

I found it a good reminder of how kids can be so ego-centric in middle school. Everything is seen through the lens of "what does it mean to me." For Vanessa, it doesn't matter that her mom will make history by becoming the first female president of our country if she's not home to watch her daughter compete in the regional spelling bee.

It's also a good reminder that kids often don't tell their parents about important things that are worrying them. Instead they try to solve them on their own. When Vanessa receives letters threatening to kill her mom if she doesn't drop out of the race, she thinks it's better to secretly try to get her mom to drop out instead of telling someone with the ability to help.

This is also a very interesting book to read in an election year when a woman came close to being nominated as a major-political-party presidential candidate. And I loved the reasons Vanessa's mom wrote to her telling why she wants to be president. The list could spark a whole separate conversation with members of a mother-daughter book club about things that are important for our country.

I recommend this book for readers in 4th - 6th grade.