Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton & NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy

Available June 30 2020

In "Queens of Resistance: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez", Brenda Jones & Krishan Trotman attempt to discuss the young Congresswomen's successful story along with a mix of #relatable content like fashion tips & favorite recipes. While talking about issues like ICE and climate change, Trotman and Jones try to keep it #hip by sprinkling in terms like "go sis" and "yasss". It reads like a literal transcript of Al-jazeera mixed with some Teen Vogue and NowThis. It seems like the book and the series would appeal to the older teen population who are beginning to be politically engaged.

“I smoked this race...I didn’t edge anybody out. I dominated and I’m going to own that.”

Honestly, the only things I knew about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez before reading this book was that she was the youngest person ever elected to Congress, which in itself is a tremendous accomplishment, and she faced harsh negativity from the likes of Trump and Fox News. However, thanks to this book, I now recognize that she is so much more than that. She is the closest to a perfect politician you can get; she cares deeply about her constituents and all people, she is intelligent, she is brave, she is open-minded, and she is fun. She understands how important it is to listen. She doesn’t introduce policies as a way to better herself individually. No, she is invested in policies that can save the country. She stands up for women, immigrants, communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community. She doesn’t let anyone push her around and she owns her accomplishments. She is globally-minded and deeply empathetic and I regret not knowing more about her before now.

Queens of the Resistance: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a highly accessible book. It does not read like a textbook, although it is definitely just as informative. The language is effective in highlighting not just that biographies and nonfiction can be for everyone, but that AOC is an extraordinary everyday individual. The authors effectively are telling their readers, “Hey, this woman from a working class family in the Bronx became a woman who inspires us all and you can, too.” It is a fun and endearing read that is short, sweet, and to the point, but packs a punch of inspiring messages. This book would be the perfect read for anyone who wants to learn from fearless leader, AOC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for allowing me access to this e-ARC.

I really enjoyed learning about AOC’s life and journey to becoming one of the most famous faces in politics. This book brought a lot more to her story than I thought it would. It was very well written and written in a narrative style that I think will appeal to audiences of all ages.

"Who knew that while we were enjoying the moment, the wind beneath our wings after two terms with the first black president, a time that had left us proximal to a variety of enjoyable mini multi-cultures: sushi, guacamole, break dancing--there was a group of malcontents intent on making America great again..."great" like the 1940's. And that mean forcing women back into the kitchen, padlocking the door, and throwing away the key."

I want to begin by saying that I love Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and align with her politically, so this book was just like a continuous pep-talk for me, reminding me of all the changes I would like to see in the American political machine. That being said, I found this book to be an easy read and most likely targeted at younger girls probably around my 12 year old daughter's age. It was easy to understand and informative and reminded us how AOC represents us all, not just herself and not just the Bronx. I believe if Trump is the backlash we are receiving for Obama, then by the same measure, AOC and her squad are the backlash to Trump. As the authors wrote, "These women are America’s response to the mess that became the Trump election. Enough is enough."

I do not think that anyone who doesn't agree with AOC would enjoy this book, thanks to the constant media sabotage from Fox News towards AOC, however, I also don't think it will matter because they will not be the ones to pick up this book. I think this book holds a fantastic overview to share with young girls who look up to these trailblazers and reminds us all that just one person can make a difference.

Many thanks to @netgalley for providing my advanced copy!

A very quick and easy read on the life of AOC. Although I personally don't agree with most of her politics, as a political activist and writer I would be doing myself a disservice by not reading about how she came to be a phenomenon.

WRITING STYLE: 4/5
SUBJECT: 5/5
CANDIDNESS: 5/5
RELEVANCE: 5/5

Brenda Jones and Krishan Trotman collaborated on a book that wrings out the emotions of admiration, hope, and aspiration with Queens of the Resistance: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

I was anticipating this book very much, and am grateful for an ARC, thank you, NetGalley!

I'd like to state clearly: I am not the biggest fan of AOC, because I do not agree with most of her policies and beliefs-- I do not side and support Socialism, nor could I ever dream of being a participant of the Democratic-Socialist Party.

However, I admire Ms. Cortez, I believe she has a strong impact on young Latinx people throughout the U.S., and I think she is an incredibly profound member of the Latinx community; she is bold, courageous, and utterly honest and human, and she is willfully dedicated to her party and its beliefs.
At the end of the day, she is a woman, a Hispanic woman, who fought and earned her way to the title and identity of being a U.S. congresswoman of New York.

Frankly a wonderful, intelligently written memoir, about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a truly poignant definition of a "queen of resistance".

FOUR STARS OUT OF FIVE.