TRUE GRETCH—YOUNG ADULT EDITION

Michigan governor Whitmer highlights career achievements and life lessons in this young adult adaptation of her 2024 work for adults.

This book weaves self-help advice together with personal anecdotes from the Democratic politician’s childhood and political career (including the infamous, failed conspiracy by a far-right militia group to kidnap her in 2020). The chapter titles, which are the same in the original and YA versions, convey a strong sense of the content: for example, “Don’t Let the Bullies Get You Down” and “Seek to Understand.” Much of the text is also the same, although this edition includes passages offering important contextual explanations and directly addressing younger readers’ concerns: “If I could go back and talk to my ten-year-old self, I’d tell her to share with a trusted adult what was going on. Ask for help. Advocate for herself.” The fragmented presentation leads to some jarring transitions, for example, when one chapter ends with a slapstick tale of Whitmer’s slipping on ice and falling “right on my butt,” and the next one begins “On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered.” Most successful are the many anecdotes spotlighting the governor’s principles and the ways she’s worked to serve her constituents. While the lack of sources is a weakness, the conversational style will appeal to readers interested in politics and those seeking insights on leadership and attaining success.

A readable combination of advice and inspiration.