First Daughter: White House Rules (Sameera Righton #2)

First Daughter: White House Rules by Mitali Perkins is her second book featuring Sameera Righton. In the first book, Sameera's father ran for President of the United States.

Now Sameera and her parents are moving into the White House. Sameera is adjusting to life as a famous person while continuing her blog about being the daughter of the new president.

Perkins, Mitali. (2008). First Daughter: White House Rules. New York: Dutton Children's Books.

First Daughter: Extereme American Makeover (Sameera Righton #1)

First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover by Mitali Perkins is a look at politics through the eyes of a young woman whose father is running for President of the United States.

Sameera Righton, Sparrow to her friends, has been in politics her whole life. Her father was a diplomat when he and her mother adopted Sameera from Pakistan. But now that Mr. Righton is campaigning to be the President, a whole team will descend and make over Sameera - going so far as to create the persona "Sammy."

Sameera will battle to keep true to herself during the campaign. She has her own blog that her group of friends read - as opposed to the official SammySez blog that the campaign produces. As an adopted daughter she has a different perspective. And as a Pakistani girl in the world of Republican politics, she has a very different perspective.

Perkins has written a great account of politics and race in America. Sameera is a compelling character with a strong voice. First Daughter is a novel that is an interesting read that could begin many discussions - especially when compared to our country's current political swing. The sequel is called First Daughter: White House Rules.

Perkins, Mitali. (2007). First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover. New York: Speak.

The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen

The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen by Mitali Perkins is the story of two cultures - in one young woman.

Sunita, known as Sunni by her friends, was born and raised in California. Her family is Indian, both of her parents were born in India, but she thinks of herself as an American.

When her mother takes a year off from teaching and starts wearing sarees because Sunita's grandparents are coming to stay with them, Sunita becomes confused and embarrassed. She wishes she was either Indian in India or American in California.

As Sunita struggles to balance the halves of her life, she comes to find beauty in both Indian and American culture.

Perkins has written a tween novel that most readers will be able to relate to - being a young teen and being embarrassed by family traditions that are different from those of your friends. Sunita Sen is a peak at the beauty in every culture and finding your balance between the disparate parts of self.


Perkins, Mitali. (1993). The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen. New York: Little, Brown and Company.