Synopsis: Sameera is a normal girl of Pakistani origin growing up in America with one difference: she is the daughter of the new American President. Although her interests and loyalties remain the same, everything that Sameera does is under the watchful gaze and scrutiny of the Secret Service and the public eye.

Review: As the follow-up to First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover (EAM), this novel picks up from where readers left Sameera. However, not only does this novel pick up on Sameera’s adventures as the First Daughter, but it continues to subtly explore the important themes which EAM looked at such as cultural meaning, cultural identity and the effects of Islamophobia.

 This novel, as the title indicates, is about rules and the breaking of some of these rules. Beneath Sameera’s adventures in the White House, one of the ‘rules’ that this novel attempts to break are the rules which govern ethnic and religious prejudice and stereotype, whilst the other rules that Sameera and her cousin, Miranda, break, lead to the entertaining escapades found within the novel.

First Daughter: White House Rules is an enjoyable read and Sameera is a very witty, strong and charming protagonist who will appeal to readers. As this book subtly tackles and overcomes some of the issues associated with prejudice, some readers may find this novel comforting. Subsequently, this book not only entertains, it potentially offers some of its readers a valuable service.

2008-06-12