The Wrong Side of Right

March 23, 2015
At the end of her junior year, Kate Quinn discovers that her recently deceased mother had an affair with Republican Senator Mark Cooperâwho happens to be running for presidentâand that Kate was the result. Eager to make things right with his new daughter, his family, and voters, Senator Cooper invites Kate on the campaign trail with his wife and two children, who become Kate's new stepmother and stepsiblings. Kate soon finds herself at the center of the Republican political machine and a storm of scandal, eager to get to know her father and win over this new, unexpected family, while attempting to maintain her own identity. In a smart, fresh, and engaging debut, Thorne offers an enticing glimpse at what unfolds behind convention stages while exploring Kate's complicated family past, as well as what it's like to be thrust into a national spotlight that can be as cruel as it is welcoming. Add in a delicious, secret romance with the President's son, and readers will be hoping for a sequel to this political page-turner. Ages 12âup. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

December 15, 2014
A 16-year-old girl whose mother has just recently died learns that she is the daughter of the Republican candidate for president of the United States.Kate's formerly hidden parentage comes to light when a reporter reveals that she is the daughter of Sen. Mark Cooper of Massachusetts, who's leading in the polls against the incumbent, a Democrat. Kate doesn't know much about politics, although she grew up in East Los Angeles, where her mother ran a food bank, and her best friends' parents are undocumented immigrants. She sees early on that Sen. Cooper takes a hard line on immigration but chooses not to learn what that means. In the meantime, she finds that her new family is quite wonderful. Even Mrs. Cooper accepts her as their daughter, and she becomes close to her new siblings, 8-year-old twins Gabe and Gracie. When Kate learns what "hard line" means, though, she introduces the Coopers to her undocumented friends to expose them to the reality of the issue. But will her friends remain safe? Meanwhile, Andy, the president's son, starts a relationship with Kate. But is he honest about his feelings? Thorne appears to have researched the inner workings of political campaigns well and presents a believable portrait of the burdens they place on families. Kate's reactions to her new family ring true as well. Absorbing and timely. (Fiction. 12-18)

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January 1, 2015

Gr 9 Up-After her mother passed away in a sudden accident, 16-year-old Kate Quinn is left parentless and forced to move cross-country from Los Angeles to South Carolina to live with her uncle. Nearly a year later, while still in a haze of grief, she comes home to a yard full of reporters and the Republican candidate for president sitting in her living room-claiming to be her father. From that moment, she quickly finds herself in the national spotlight, living with a family that she has just met, and falling for a boy whom she can't entirely trust. When she realizes that she may be campaigning for someone who does not share her beliefs, she must figure out how to stay true to herself while preserving her new family and life. Thorne's debut novel is a smart and well-executed story that feels fresh and familiar. It is easy to like strong, intelligent Kate throughout, and the supporting cast of characters are fleshed out well. The relationship between the protagonist and the adults in her life are realistically complicated. Fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han will appreciate this well-crafted story about love and family.-Amanda Augsburger, Moline Public Library, IL

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2015
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Kate Quinn never knew her father. After her mother dies in a car accident, Kate moves from Los Angeles to live with the only relatives she knowsher aunt and uncle in South Carolina. Her quiet life there is suddenly shattered when she, and the rest of the world, learn that Kate is the biological daughter of a presidential candidate, Senator Cooper. All of a sudden, Kate has a role to play in a high-stakes political contest where one false move could cost her father his chance at the presidency. If that weren't enough, there are a couple more complications. First, the current president has a rebellious (and attractive) teen son who has a thing for Kate. And second, as part of the campaign agenda, Kate needs to express viewpoints that are definitely not her own. Thorne's debut novel is both intelligent and heartfelt, as Kate finds unexpected love as well as unimagined courage. Readers will also get an education in the dark side of American politics, where lawmakers buy votes with careless promises to the upper class, heedless of the damage to less fortunate American families. Like Danny in Trent Reedy's Divided We Fall (2014), Kate faces timely conflicts that could affect thousands of people. Thorne not only gives readers a moving coming-of-age story but also casts a critical eye on the state of American politics.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)