“It never used to bother me, but lately it seems hypocritical. Don’t talk politics with your kids, but make them pose for your campaign pictures. Don’t talk politics with your kids, but have them say they approve your message in sketchy videos that maybe are or maybe aren’t for the PACs. Don’t talk politics with your kids, but expect them to support your policies.”

Mari feels like she's slowly being erased and remade into a “normal” daughter, like one of any other American family as she is forced into an acceptable mold chosen by her parents as her father ramps up his election for president. In the first several chapters I became more and more livid on her behalf. She’s only 15-years-old but the way she is being manipulated is clear and unacceptable. I roiled as time slowly passed, inching toward the primaries that will determine her Papi's fate.

As his star is rising, so is the spotlight on his family, and yet he's surprised that Mari receives undesired attention and then blames Mari when for example, photos taken of her sunbathing in her own backyard via a drone are splashed all over the internet. On the flip side, I was proud of the risks that Mari took, using the metro, making new friends, and daring to take a political stance that diverges from that of her father.

Though having children for me is still quite a way off, the thing I most look forward to is raising them to be rebels from the start. I will never support the way that society or parents like Mari’s (elections be damned!) try to wrangle kids into accepting authority for authority’s sake or to generally be non-confrontational, and certainly not controversial, as if having your own point of view is controversial.

As far as our IRL 2020 election is concerned, I wish that more individuals could throw away the idea that discussing politics is taboo and dare to never stop talking about the issues at hand. One very important lesson to be taken from this powerful book is how important it is to use your voice even if it's scary–especially if it's scary. If you feel nervous it's probably because you care greatly which means you have to be even more adamant about standing up for yourself and what is right.

“It’s better this way. I’m still angry, angrier than I’ve ever been. But Jackie’s right. We’ve got this. Maybe not right away. Maybe not in the next few days. It’s like Papi always says, important decisions take time and preparation. It’s why he took so long to tell me and my brother he’d run for president. I finally get it. Besides, my anger is too powerful to waste on hurting him. My anger is powerful enough for change.”