“There is nothing more powerful than an army of young women and their combined voices. Smart and sharply written, this is an excellent guide to the how and why of a life of public service.” —Amy Poehler, creator of Smart Girls

“I am so inspired by these amazing stories, each a testament to the fact that we need more young women devoted to public service. Yes She Can shows the extraordinary difference their voices can make.” —Valerie Jarrett, former advisor to President Obama

“Human beings are way more likely to do what we see than what we are told. That’s why YES SHE CAN, a collection of firsthand stories, is even more likely to bring women’s talent to Washington than are the statistics about why such talent is needed. This book is like out-stretched hands from personal friends who want to help you make a difference.” – Gloria Steinem, author & feminist activist

As a woman who has always been interested to know more about how public service works in the US and more about how young people who are interested in serving their country and change policies go about achieving their goals, this book was a breath of fresh air. All the young women here are so passionate and love working towards the betterment of their country and I loved reading their stories and I admire them for participating in a field that is so dominated by men. They truly have paved the way for many more future young women and I commend them for their efforts.

I highly recommend this book to teenagers and women because I believe these stories are a great inspiration. ( )

Literary Merit: Excellent
Characterization: Excellent
Recommended: Yes
Level: High School

This collection of stories from young, female White House staffers during the Obama administration was inspiring and motivating. The women were all in their early 20s which I think helped them seem more relatable to teen readers who aren't that far from their ages. Each story had a unique voice and spoke about a rewarding aspect of their work in the public service field. They briefly shared what steps and education led them to work at the White House and then told memorable stories about specific events or projects they worked on. The overall theme wasn't political or trying to argue for certain positions, but rather it was to showcase what variety of work in public service can do to help our society. I think this opens up many doors for young readers to consider for their careers. The best part is that they are hearing from young women who they can see themselves in and relate to in their writing and stories. ( )

The following is a student review. See below for my take!

Reviewed By: Sarah W. (12th grade)
Grade Range: 7th grade and Up
Genre: Political NonFiction
Literary Merit: Excellent
Characterization: Excellent

Yes She Can is a nonfiction work consisting of ten personal accounts from diverse women who worked in the White House during the Obama era. This collection of stories works to represent the unnoticed staffers who put so much time, effort, and love into their jobs. As these women share their stories, readers are transported into the everyday life of a White House employee, showcasing what goes on behind the scenes.
Yes She Can is an inspiring and uplifting work of nonfiction that showcases a multitude of young women from different walks of life. Personally, I’m not really one for political reads, but I have to admit that this is one of the most interesting works of non-fiction I have ever read. I really loved how the book showcased the unique goals of the Obama administration as well as focusing on women who are extremely young, passionate, and diverse. Each story was different from the last, yet they all shared a common theme of hard work and perseverance. This book is an amazing illustration about what it’s like to be a woman in politics, as well as demonstrating the unique struggles and successes of women of color.

Librarian Review:
Yes She Can is a collection of essays written by female staffers who worked in the Obama administration. Each follows a similar format in which the author explains what led them to work in politics, offers a description of the job(s), and a story about an event that was particularly impactful.

The book was written for young adults and by (relatively) young adults as most of the writers were in their early twenties when they worked in the White House. Many got their start in less than flashy jobs such as reading the thousands of letters that are sent to the President each day or answering phone calls. Many of the writers tell the story of planning and executing an event at the White House, while others describe the ups and downs of traveling with the President or the Vice President. Kalisha Dessources Figures’s piece about her work on the White House Council on Women and the United State of Women event was one of the more memorable essays. Nita Contreras’s story about a 6-day trip to Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Germany was also a standout. The book concludes with “A Girl’s Guide to Getting into Government,” which will be useful for readers who want to pursue any type of political work.

It was interesting to read about the role that junior staffers play in helping to develop policy for the President and Vice President as well as the thankless grunt work that goes along with those jobs. The book must be commended for its inspiring message, showing teen readers that there are opportunities for young people to work for meaningful change. However, the essays are somewhat formulaic and feel a bit repetitive by the end. Yes She Can might be best read in small doses when you are in the mood for a feel-good story about politics written from a hopeful and youthful perspective. Recommended for libraries serving teens. ( )