A Diplomat's Daughter

Reviewed by Mary Johnson (age 15) for Reader Views (6/08) "A Diplomat's Daughter" is a fictional book about Veronica Wasp, also known as Ronni, who at 15-years-old, moves to Islamabad, Pakistan. While she lives there she meets new people from very diverse cultures, who become some of her best friends. But, after going on a school field trip to Kabul, Afghanistan a lot of things change. Ronni starts to not feel safe in her new home and fears that an attack on the Embassy is imminent. On November 21, 1979 Ronni's fears become reality when hundreds of Pakistanis set fire to the American Embassy, where Diplomats and Marines were trapped, with one Marine fatally shot. Victoria Montes' perspective in "A Diplomat's Daughter" is interesting, probably because she once was one herself. I think Victoria Montes is an excellent author; she really grabs you with the stories about the people in "A Diplomat's Daughter." I think "A Diplomat's Daughter," by Victoria Montes is for reader ages 12 and up. I really enjoyed this book and hope others will enjoy it as well.

Victoria Montes does a great job capturing the spirit of a young teen, displaced from her friends and even her country, and the trials that she must endure while in a scary foreign culture. Though the story is based on actual events, she does a wonderful job pulling us in with the fiction of her character. Her use of descriptive language draws the reader in and it is the wonderful character development which holds the reader until the sad but touching finale. Not only is this story entertaining, but it is educational as well. Young girls will be able to relate to Ms. Montes' characters and learn a bit of history at the same time. Well done and I highly recommend this as a "must have" for young teen girls. As an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.