Running

Fifteen-year-old Mariana Ruiz navigates her role as the daughter of a rising political candidate in Miami, Florida. Her father's campaign for Florida governor forces her to confront questions about identity, family expectations, and her own emerging political consciousness. The pressures of being in the public eye begin to strain Mariana's relationship with her parents, particularly as she discovers complexities about her father's campaign positions and donor relationships. Her growing awareness of social issues leads her to examine her own privilege and position within both her Cuban-American community and broader society. Between cross country practices, campaign events, and school, Mariana must determine where she stands on issues that affect her friends, family, and community. Through her journey, the novel explores themes of finding one's voice, the intersection of personal and political identity, and the challenges of standing up for one's beliefs - even when they conflict with family loyalty.

Readers highlight the book's authentic portrayal of Cuban American family dynamics and its exploration of teenage activism through social media. Many connect with protagonist Mari's journey to find her political voice while navigating family expectations. Readers appreciate: - Bilingual dialogue and cultural details - Complex family relationships - Realistic portrayal of modern teen activism - Discussion of privilege and class differences Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first half - Some character decisions feel unrealistic - Political messaging can feel heavy-handed Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (100+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Captures the tension between family loyalty and finding your own path" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have benefited from tighter editing in the middle sections" - Amazon reviewer "The Spanish language integration feels natural rather than forced" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🏃‍♀️ Author Natalia Sylvester drew from her own experience as a Cuban American in Miami to create the protagonist's cultural background and community dynamics. 🗳️ The novel tackles complex political themes through the lens of a teenager discovering her voice, mirroring real-world discussions about youth political engagement. 🌟 The book was named a 2020 Junior Library Guild Selection and received recognition from the Texas Library Association's TAYSHAS Reading List. 👥 The protagonist's story reflects the growing demographic of young Latinx Americans navigating dual cultural identities while becoming politically aware. 📚 Although "Running" is Sylvester's third published novel, it was her first work specifically written for young adult readers after previously writing adult fiction.