Member Reviews
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I am in awe of AOC herself, the writing style was not enjoyable.
I didn't think I could love AOC anymore than I already did, but alas...it happened! I think people of all ages will enjoy this book.
All of these books are great. I am glad to live in a time where women leaders are being noticed despite the way the world caters to men.
I tried reading this but the style wasn't for me and I couldn't get through it. Perhaps I'll pick it up from time to time and try again.
I loved this book and this series in general of "Queens of the Resistance". The story of AOC is the kind of story I am grateful our little girls get to grow up with. I would consider this as a gift for any woman in my life.
As one of the most polarizing members of Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez needs to be understood. This book is the perfect way to understand her. Short, concise, and accessible language makes this the perfect book for people who want to know more about the Congresswoman. I would definitely recommend this to people who are interested in her, and those who don't quite get what exactly she's about.
This was the perfect read for an election year, and AOC is supreme queen! I love the empowering messages inside and learning more about her rise.
I am completely torn on this book. I am definitely not the intended reader, but I am trying to think about it through the eyes of my middle school students. I would like them to have a book about a great female influence, and I would like it to be relatable to them. That being said, boys should read about strong woman too, and this book often referred to the reader as "sis." It kind of came of as a report done for school by someone who has never met the subject.
Review and star rating to follow. I'm still trying to figure my opinion about this book out.
Update 9/25/20: 2 rounded up to 3 stars.
So, I had a little bit of time to think about this book and everything I read. I really wanted to learn more about AOC, her personality, her thought process, her upbringing. And yes, I did get that! It was exciting to learn more about this charismatic young woman and her journey to Congress. However, overall, this book left a bad taste in my mouth. My hope was that this would be a portrait of a great young woman which would open the door to some more dialogue and for more conservative voters to see the world from her perspective. But this book ended up being a man hating, Trump and conservatives hating, Democratic party glorifying propaganda book and that, my dear friends, was extremely disappointing!!! This is NOT how you start adult conversations about politics and the goals AOC has/had. This book had so much potential and fell utterly short!!! I'm very sad about that!
Also, the writing style was annoying at times! I get it...this may be aimed at a younger generation. But I'm sure us older folks are very interested in AOC's story and goals. I felt like the author tried too hard to use language that would make it interesting to read, but I had the feeling that even Millennials and GenZers would roll their eyes at this one.
Another book to this magnificent series. I mean who doesn't love AOC!! Such a great book. Learn a little more with each page turn.
This book, apparently in a series about women in government, is about the life so far, of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes. I learned a lot about Cortes, and am so glad we have young women in government like her, changing the status-quo.
As far as the book goes, it jumped around quite a bit so was hard to follow, used slang which felt unnecessary, and numerous greetings like hey sis, calling AOC a "queen" etc. Maybe teenage girls will read more with the slang thrown in, but I didn't enjoy it. There were also grammatical errors, such as "had rode" rather than: "had ridden," and I am not sure if those were supposed to make the book more relatable to its audience, or were just a mistake.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am giving 3 stars, content was good overall, the style not MY style!
I think the premise of this series is WONDERFUL, and I'm thrilled that books like this are being published and made available to young people on the rise. That said, I really struggled with the voice the book employed -- It felt very much like an adult trying to talk like the kids talk, and I worry that young people will pick up on that and be less inclined to take the content seriously. Leaders like AOC and Elizabeth Warren should absolutely be written and read about, and it's my hope that young readers won't let the writing style get in the way of absorbing stories of these awesome women.
Thank you to Dutton for this ARC, and for raising up the voices of powerful female leaders.
4 out of 5 💪"...She's still Alex from the block 🎶"
'Queens of the Resistance' is a series of books about modern-day politicians committed to making an impact on our everyday lives. Also, to change the existing administrative model to be more inclusive and welcome for every gender and skin color. These Queens are concerned about racial justice, everyday problems of undocumented Americans, and climate change.
The volume about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells the story of AOC since the very beginning, including her childhood through the first steps in politics to her plans for the future. The book is strongly biased but that something the one can guess just by the title. It made my roll my eyes ones or twice in the first chapters but the farthest in the book, the more concrete data, and stories. I enjoyed the background story of Alexandria and all the badass stuff she's done (so far!).
The biggest advantage of the series is language, pure gen Z / millennial slang and references made me smile. That whole attitude made the book more enjoyable and easier to digest.
I enjoyed that piece and want to read more books of that series!!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher Plume for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and feelings are my own.
AOC really is a Queen and I loved reading this story about her. I learned so much about her! She really is trying to help people and she is so refreshing! She really will change this country!
This was really well written and I highly recommend if you want to learn more about this Queen!
I had some serious mixed feelings on this. I love the idea and I do support a lot of what AOC stands for; however, I found this writing style and formatting to be odd. I do like that this was written to be accessible to the general public and mostly geared toward teenage girls. I think that it is so important to invoke political responsibilities in young women but the use of “yassss” and “go sis” was just super cringe-y to me... and I am 21. I also found it kind of concerning that there were chapters on favorite recipes and skin care? I found that kind of insulting, but that might just be me. To me, this read more like a magazine article/interview. Overall, though, this did contain a lot of good information regarding AOC’s background and ideals. Love the intent and goal but not so much the execution!
I love the idea of this book and series. I think it's a great way to make female politicians at the forefront of young girl's minds. I think it's super important to start this conversation in young people. I do think that most teenagers are not going to like this book and the way it was written. To me, every time I saw the "hip" language being used I cringed. I'm twenty-two, and I wouldn't even use language like this. It felt like the writing was trying way too hard to sound like teenagers. It sounds like no young adult nonfiction I have ever read, and I think a lot of teen readers will hate that more than I did. I do like how AOC's story was told and there was a lot of great info included.
Excellent YA, teen or new adult title. Well researched, written in an accessible, fun way. I'm looking forward to recommending this to teens and the occasional adult. One critical note for netgalley, this is only listed under Biography and Memoirs, it should be in YA as well
AOC is a true bright light someone who will do a lot for our country Shes also a New YorkWoman one of which I proudly am also she will not step aside for anyone fears no one.Also s someone with a real girl side can talk about make up facials and she can dance.Agree with her politics or not she will. be out their fighting for her beliefs and I applaud
her.This is a terrific series about woman leaders .#netgalley #penguindutton
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton & NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy
Available June 30 2020
In "Queens of Resistance: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez", Brenda Jones & Krishan Trotman attempt to discuss the young Congresswomen's successful story along with a mix of #relatable content like fashion tips & favorite recipes. While talking about issues like ICE and climate change, Trotman and Jones try to keep it #hip by sprinkling in terms like "go sis" and "yasss". It reads like a literal transcript of Al-jazeera mixed with some Teen Vogue and NowThis. It seems like the book and the series would appeal to the older teen population who are beginning to be politically engaged.
“I smoked this race...I didn’t edge anybody out. I dominated and I’m going to own that.”
Honestly, the only things I knew about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez before reading this book was that she was the youngest person ever elected to Congress, which in itself is a tremendous accomplishment, and she faced harsh negativity from the likes of Trump and Fox News. However, thanks to this book, I now recognize that she is so much more than that. She is the closest to a perfect politician you can get; she cares deeply about her constituents and all people, she is intelligent, she is brave, she is open-minded, and she is fun. She understands how important it is to listen. She doesn’t introduce policies as a way to better herself individually. No, she is invested in policies that can save the country. She stands up for women, immigrants, communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community. She doesn’t let anyone push her around and she owns her accomplishments. She is globally-minded and deeply empathetic and I regret not knowing more about her before now.
Queens of the Resistance: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a highly accessible book. It does not read like a textbook, although it is definitely just as informative. The language is effective in highlighting not just that biographies and nonfiction can be for everyone, but that AOC is an extraordinary everyday individual. The authors effectively are telling their readers, “Hey, this woman from a working class family in the Bronx became a woman who inspires us all and you can, too.” It is a fun and endearing read that is short, sweet, and to the point, but packs a punch of inspiring messages. This book would be the perfect read for anyone who wants to learn from fearless leader, AOC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for allowing me access to this e-ARC.