Product Description

A brand-new, funny, funky teen novel, with a great new heroine, from rising star Meg Cabot, author of the bestselling Princess Diaries. Sam Madison never knew life could change overnight. But that's exactly what happens when she saves the life of the President of the United States as she's bunking off art class one night. Now an instant (if highly reluctant and very unlikely) celebrity, not to mention teen ambassador to the United Nations, Sam finds herself not only hanging out at the White House - but trying to stop herself falling for David, the President's son...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #416381 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
In All American Girl Meg Cabot shows that she is comfortably carving out a niche for herself as an author of teen-chick-lit, albeit with the same plot line: an ordinary American girl who thinks she's not ordinary becomes an involuntary celebrity and realises life's the same whatever. This time, rather than becoming princess of a small fictional nation, as Mia does in The Princess Diaries, the heroine Sam saves the American president's life. Perhaps when Cabot's on her fifth ordinary heroine who thinks she's not ordinary, becomes an involuntary celebrity etc the idea may lose its lustre, but this book is fun, witty, cynical and realistic enough to ensure that the idea still shines.

Sam lives in Washington DC, is the middle teenager between two very annoying sisters, and dyes all her clothes black. She has a best friend, she's not cool like her big sister, she doesn't have a boyfriend but thinks she's in love with someone, and she likes to draw. Her credentials as an "ordinary" girl who thinks she's a misfit (black clothes, not a cheerleader) are established immediately, and the story flies from there. Sam's appeal lies in how she's bothered about making things genuine in her life, whilst Cabot's winning touch is in her realism--the president is a normal guy who likes cookies; the plot where Sam saves him is not impossible; the resulting fuss is boring and her priorities lie elsewhere (making lists of Top Tens, worrying about who she wants to go out with, going to her drawing classes).

Fans of Princess Mia will probably read this book in one sitting, and become equally attached to Sam, with her usual teenage desire to feel unusual. For now Meg Cabot's star of an idea continues to shine brilliantly. --Olivia Dickinson

Review
Meg Cabot, bestselling author of The Princess Diaries, has no hesitation in turning to a tried and trusted formula again here. Once again an American teen who thinks she's just plain ordinary ends up becoming a national celebrity. Unlike Mia, who became a princess of an imaginary nation, Samantha Madison makes her mark in the real world of American politics, when she saves the President from an assassination attempt. Cabot goes to great lengths to portray Sam as an everyday American girl, beset by the usual hang-ups - not in with the right crowd, in love with the wrong guy, suffering a permanent bad hair day and, worst of all, sandwiched between an older sister who is a glamorous if airheaded cheerleader and a brainy younger sister who goes to a special school for gifted children. Fed up with her nondescript existence, Sam mopes around in black clothes, listening to ska and claiming no one understands her. Matters come to a head when she has to go to extra art lessons after school. By nature a free spirit, Sam rebels against the discipline of the first class and skips the next one, in favour of the local record store. But the assassin is lurking in the same store, and Sam is on the spot to do the patriotic thing. Catapulted from her humdrum existence to a whirlwind round of photocalls, press conferences and dinner at the White House, not to mention the post of teen ambassador to the UN, Sam keeps a level head, and does a lot of growing up. Suddenly she is the most popular girl in school, and she is perceptive enough to realize why. Not only does she have to cope with all the trappings of fame, but she finds herself involved in a controversial art competition when her moral judgement is called into question. And there's also the matter of that funny feeling she gets whenever the President's son is around.... This is a funny, exhilarating novel, with a pacy story line and an eminently likeable heroine who is only too aware of her frailties. Sam makes plenty of errors of judgement throughout the novel, but faces up to them with a painful honesty, and is independent enough not to care what other people think. Definitely a one-sitting read, Cabot's latest novel will be a great hit with young teens. Ages 12+ (Kirkus UK)

About the Author
Meg Cabot has lived in Indiana and California, USA and France. She now lives in New York City with her husband and one-eyed cat, Henrietta. She has worked as assistant dorm manager of a large university, an illustrator, and is also an author of historical romance.

Customer Reviews

ABSOLUTELY FATASTIC!
This book has to be my favourite EVER! It is great for any girl who enjoys teenage reads! When I read it I was blown away! I really didnt expect it to be so good, but believe me, it was!

Sam is an ordinary teenage girl who loves Gwen Stefani. She has an older sister who she cant stand, not only because she is a perfect, popular cheerleader, but also because she is going out with the boy that is Sam's soulmate. When her sister grasses her up for something, Sam is forced to attend art classes with Susan Boone who she can't stand. Then she meets David, a boy who, like her, is into Gwen Stefani and Reel Big Fish. What she doesn't know is that he is the presidents son!!
PLEASE READ THIS AS YOU WILL LOVE IT. An interesting, but predictable book that even teaches you a bit about art!!

Greatest book ever?
This is a excellent book, and i've only got one bad thing to say about it, there's no sequel.
Sam is an ordinary teen, who views Gwen Stefani as her role model. One day when ditching art class, Sam manages to save the life of the president! She attends dinner at the white house in her honour, and begins noticing the first son, David. She thinks she likes him, but there's only one problem. She's completely and totally in love with her sister's boyfriend Jack, or so she thinks.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Meg Cabot's other books, The princess diaries. Personally I think this book is about 100 times better than PD, but you be the judge.
If you don't read this book you'll fully be missing out. Everyone can relate to Sam, and you'll want to read this time and time again.

All American Girl
When Sam Madison saves the life of the American president she doesn't realise what she has got herself in for. Being the Teen ambassador to the UN isn't all it's cracked up to be, deciding between childrens paintings, attending dinners and staying in the White House for three hours after school every Wednesday isn't fun! Especially when you are in love with your sisters boyfriend Jack and you have to go to Susan Boones every Tuesday for an art lesson. Then there is the small problem of everyone thinking that you are in love with the President's son David. Even Sam's sisters Lucy and Rebecca think theres a bit of "frisson" going on between Sam and David. This book is witty, heartbreaking and realistic! It is a great read and a great buy!!