About the Book
Samantha Madison is just your average disenfranchised sophomore gal living in D.C. when, in an idle moment sandwiched between cookie-buying and CD-perusing, she puts a stop to an attempt on the life of the president. Before she can say "MTV2" she’s appointed Teen Ambassador to the U.N. and has caught the eye of the very cute First Son.
Top Ten Reasons Samantha Madison is in Deep Trouble
10. Her big sister is the most popular girl in school
9. Her little sister is a certified genius
8. She's in love with her big sister's boyfriend
7. She got caught selling celebrity portraits in school
6. And now she's being forced to take art classes
5. She's just saved the president of the United States from an assassination attempt
4. So the whole world thinks she's a hero
3. Even though Sam knows she is far, far from being a hero
2. And now she's been appointed teen ambassador to the UN
and the number one reason Sam's life is over?
1. The president's son just might be in love with her
Inspiration
I got the idea for All-American Girl the last time I visited Washington DC. I wondered what it would be like to grow up in a town where so many important people like the President lived, and so I started writing a story about it. When I was a kid I used to fantasize about saving my school from being blown up by aliens, so this is sort of the same story, slightly scaled down to be a little more believable (actually it would be kind of cool if your school got blown up by aliens, wouldn't it? I mean, if no one was in it at the time).
Reviews
“Cabot’s strength is her heroine’s funny, authentic voice. Great fun.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Absurdly far-fetched? Absolutely, but that's exactly why this is so much fun.”
—ALA Booklist
Awards
- New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age (WINNER)
- ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (WINNER)
- IRA/CBC Young Adults? Choice (WINNER)
- Book Sense Pick (WINNER)
- Evergreen Young Adult Book Award (Washington) (WINNER)
