Interference

Gr 9 Up—Kate Hamilton believes her family is leaving Washington, DC, for Texas because of a scandal with her ex-boyfriend and her father's failing Senate race. Once she arrives, she discovers that her parents haven't given up on politics; her father is running in a special election in the hometown he's not visited in years. Kate is obliged to make friends, finish her photo portfolio for college admissions, and figure out how to beat her ex for a coveted college recommendation, all while not causing any problems for the political race. She gets off on the wrong foot with Hunter, a local boy who helps out at her aunt's animal shelter. Sparks fly between them even when their tempers flare. Kate tries to help her new friend Anna Gomez (a well-rounded secondary character and the only person of color in the work's cast), and things don't go well. Maybe what Kate thinks of as helping is just interference. Major themes of politics and football tie the narrative together as the compelling protagonist navigates high school, boy problems, and life. The issues are realistic, and the character-driven plot will have strong appeal for many. The relationship between Kate and her parents is authentically difficult at times, though Honeyman manages to bring the family together without compromising the personalities of her characters.