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Shaking Up the House: A Heartfelt Middle Grade Adventure About First Daughters and Presidential Pranks for Children
A friendly prank war at the White House spirals out of control in this hilarious and heartfelt middle grade novel written by acclaimed author Yamile Saied Méndez and perfect for fans of President of the Whole Fifth Grade and Merci Suérez Changes Gears.
Ingrid and Winnie López have lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for eight years, but their friends Skylar and Zora Williams--the new first daughters--are about to move into the White House with their mom, the president-elect. What the Williamses don't know is that incoming presidents' families are often pranked by the folks they're replacing, and Ingrid and Winnie take that tradition very seriously.
But when the four girls get wrapped up in an ever-escalating exchange of practical jokes and things spiral out of control, can they avoid an international incident? Or will their battle go down in American history and ruin their friendship forever?
Ingrid and Winnie López have lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for eight years, but their friends Skylar and Zora Williams--the new first daughters--are about to move into the White House with their mom, the president-elect. What the Williamses don't know is that incoming presidents' families are often pranked by the folks they're replacing, and Ingrid and Winnie take that tradition very seriously.
But when the four girls get wrapped up in an ever-escalating exchange of practical jokes and things spiral out of control, can they avoid an international incident? Or will their battle go down in American history and ruin their friendship forever?
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2021
16 people are currently reading
2009 people want to read
About the author
Yamile Saied Méndez
52 books729 followersYamile (sha-MEE-lay) is a fútbol obsessed Argentine-American. She’s the mother of 5 kids and 2 adorable dogs. Yamile’s an inaugural Walter Dean Meyers Grant recipient, a graduate of Voices of our Nation (VONA) and the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Writing for Children program.
She’s represented by Linda Camacho, from the Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency.
She’s represented by Linda Camacho, from the Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 3, 2021
Shaking Up the House is a fun, insightful look at life in the White House, featuring an optimistically diverse set of First Families. This middle-grade book explores a variety of themes from public perception, racial prejudice, the bonds of sisterhood and family, as well as the need for basic kindness. There’s also a First Ferret, which may be a fun addition for kids who enjoy books about animals. The story is also told from four perspectives (in third person POV) which is fantastic for those looking for books with multiple narrators or POVs. If you’re looking for a funny, enjoyable, quick read (and you don’t mind pranks) this would be an excellent choice.
Read my full review on my blog.
Read my full review on my blog.
Want to read
April 17, 2020more Yamile's books in the world, what a blessing.
April 20, 2021
This book was pretty good. I loved the plot. I had never thought about reading a book about the first daughters; I had never really thought about there being a book about the first daughters. I felt bad for Ingrid and Winnie because they would have to leave the only home they had known since they were three. That would be hard. Also, it would be hard to live with high security like that, even with her fathers presidency over. I also liked Skylar and Zora. They were perfect twins! Anyway, this was a great book with a very interesting plot. Also, one more thing. I loved how Yamile Saied Mendez made a Latino man and Black woman as president.
October 26, 2020
Does reading about fictional political systems serve as a welcome distraction from the current US election? Maybe that's exactly what it does. If this was a YA book like Running, it would probably be more focused on the actual politics, but this one isn't. It's a fun look into what goes on between the kids at the White House, and I'm pretty sure it was partially inspired by true events.
Winnie and Ingrid López's father, Matías Lopez, became President when the girls were three and four years old. They barely remember anything from before, but now, eight years later, they only have seven weeks left until their father's term is over and they have to leave the White House for a new life in California. But life as they know it is forced to change sooner when renovations cause the next president-elect Theresa Williams and her family to move in to the White House early.
Identical twins Skylar and Zora can't wait to begin this new chapter. Skylar, the outgoing fashionista, loves the fame and the five-star treatment by the staff, and Zora, the quieter history lover, hopes to find out the truth behind her favorite White House theories. But what they don't expect is what the López girls have planned to give them a proper welcome- a prank that results in Zora spilling her drink on a prominent reporter's son. The twins only have one choice now: to fight back, while keeping it a secret from their parents and the tabloids, who hold the Latina first daughters and Black incoming first daughters to a nearly impossible standard. Reporters will do anything to make it appear that they don't get along.
But what happens when the pranks go too far and have the potential to ruin the Christmas party AND the inauguration?
I don't know if this is set 8+ years in the future or in an alternate 2021, but I'll take either. I don't know much about them, but I feel like President López or President Williams would have handled the events of the past few years much better than what we've gotten. Not naming any names, but you know what I mean.
Winnie and Ingrid López's father, Matías Lopez, became President when the girls were three and four years old. They barely remember anything from before, but now, eight years later, they only have seven weeks left until their father's term is over and they have to leave the White House for a new life in California. But life as they know it is forced to change sooner when renovations cause the next president-elect Theresa Williams and her family to move in to the White House early.
Identical twins Skylar and Zora can't wait to begin this new chapter. Skylar, the outgoing fashionista, loves the fame and the five-star treatment by the staff, and Zora, the quieter history lover, hopes to find out the truth behind her favorite White House theories. But what they don't expect is what the López girls have planned to give them a proper welcome- a prank that results in Zora spilling her drink on a prominent reporter's son. The twins only have one choice now: to fight back, while keeping it a secret from their parents and the tabloids, who hold the Latina first daughters and Black incoming first daughters to a nearly impossible standard. Reporters will do anything to make it appear that they don't get along.
But what happens when the pranks go too far and have the potential to ruin the Christmas party AND the inauguration?
I don't know if this is set 8+ years in the future or in an alternate 2021, but I'll take either. I don't know much about them, but I feel like President López or President Williams would have handled the events of the past few years much better than what we've gotten. Not naming any names, but you know what I mean.
December 28, 2020
Living under the White House roof are the incoming President’s daughters and the outgoing’s. After a prank, that was supposed to be a welcoming gesture, turns into a prank war, will the girls keep their friendship or turn into enemies?
March 17, 2021
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What a fun read “Shaking Up the House” was!
Firstly, I enjoyed the setting of the tale. The story takes place at the White House, and the author includes interesting tidbits about the historic location. The author wrote in a delightful manner where she progresses the plot smoothly while including some interesting facts. I love it when books teach me something new, and I enjoyed some of the trivia. For instance, I didn’t even know about Dolley Madison and the fire of 1812 until I read this story. Similarly, the second tunnels also added a nice touch to the story.
Secondly, I loved the diverse cast and enjoyed how the author represented them. Winnie, Ingrid, Skylar, and Zora shine in their way, and I liked how the author distinguished them. Each character brings something new to the story in the way they plot their pranks. The author also changes the chapter from each of the four’s perspectives, which made the book entertaining. Some of the pranks had me laughing out loud and got intense as the story progressed. A few of the highlights were the prank revolving around the green Jell-o powder and the underwear.
However, at the same time, while I enjoyed the pranks, I feel the young readers might think it is okay to try some of them. I wish the author had provided more details on the girls’ consequences towards the end.
Apart from that, this was a fun tale! Overall, “Shaking Up the House” is an entertaining middle-grade story that shows what happens when a friendly game of pranks spirals out of control.
October 11, 2022
Silly and face-paced, some Prank Sinatras who are open about their experiences with racism and pressure whilst under the microscope that comes with their parents' careers.
Read
April 3, 2021Ingrid and Winnie Lopez are about to leave the White House. Their father is ending his second term as President of the United States, and it is time to make way for the next first family. Typically, the new family doesn't move in until inauguration day, but that would mean that new first daughters, Skyler and Zora Williams, wouldn't be settled in before their new school year begins. So, for the first time in history, President Lopez invites incoming President-Elect Williams (and her family) to move into the White House early.
Two first families--and four first daughters--means that the house feels a little more cramped than usual. The Lopez sisters decide to welcome the Williams twins with a White House tradition: a friendly prank to help them let go of their nerves.
But friendly pranks are one thing when the prank-creators have moved out before their pranks play out, and a whole other thing when the prank's victims have a chance to seek revenge. The Williams twins don't appreciate the Lopez girls' joke--and soon an all-out prank war ensues (all kept a secret from their parents, of course).
But soon, pranks are no longer light fun as a ferret and later people start to get hurt. Can the girls learn to rekindle their old friendship--or will they all go down in history for their destructive pranks?
I liked this--I enjoy political stories and the White House backdrop was nice--but the pranks did seem to take a mean and expensive turn fairly quickly. And they were quite elaborate--did these girls ever go to school? How did they have so much time to come up with and execute these plans? And was it really that simple to get pranking supplies? I would imagine that, while pretty much anything is available to them, they would still have to ask someone for it (they can't just run to the store for a massive batch of glitter or powder to make green Jello--and requesting either of those things would raise suspicion). I wish their friendship had been examined a bit more--I kept feeling like we would get a touch of character depth before we were swept off into the repercussions of another elaborate prank. Overall, this will have plenty of audience appeal, and I love the representation, but I think it could have benefited from a slight shift in direction.
Two first families--and four first daughters--means that the house feels a little more cramped than usual. The Lopez sisters decide to welcome the Williams twins with a White House tradition: a friendly prank to help them let go of their nerves.
But friendly pranks are one thing when the prank-creators have moved out before their pranks play out, and a whole other thing when the prank's victims have a chance to seek revenge. The Williams twins don't appreciate the Lopez girls' joke--and soon an all-out prank war ensues (all kept a secret from their parents, of course).
But soon, pranks are no longer light fun as a ferret and later people start to get hurt. Can the girls learn to rekindle their old friendship--or will they all go down in history for their destructive pranks?
I liked this--I enjoy political stories and the White House backdrop was nice--but the pranks did seem to take a mean and expensive turn fairly quickly. And they were quite elaborate--did these girls ever go to school? How did they have so much time to come up with and execute these plans? And was it really that simple to get pranking supplies? I would imagine that, while pretty much anything is available to them, they would still have to ask someone for it (they can't just run to the store for a massive batch of glitter or powder to make green Jello--and requesting either of those things would raise suspicion). I wish their friendship had been examined a bit more--I kept feeling like we would get a touch of character depth before we were swept off into the repercussions of another elaborate prank. Overall, this will have plenty of audience appeal, and I love the representation, but I think it could have benefited from a slight shift in direction.
April 12, 2021
Students of Presidential history know that the White House has been home to various animals, pets of the residents, and the scene of more than one set of hijinks. In fact, there is a tradition of playing pranks on some of the newcomers to the residence. It's nice to have a book in which the outgoing and incoming President are groundbreakers: President Lopez is Latinx, and President-elect Williams is an African-American female. Middle graders Ingrid and Winnie Lopez are the current First Daughters, and while they want to make the incoming First Daughters, Skylar and Zora Williams feel at home, the prank war they start quickly gets out of hand. Ingrid is finding it hard to leave all that is familiar behind as the First Family gets ready to move to California while Winnie looks forward to the relative freedom of the changes in their life. Although it would never happen--for security reasons--both families live together in the White House in the weeks leading to the Inauguration. As the stakes are raised in the prank war, the girls take all sorts of risks and cause plenty of problems for the staff and themselves. While many middle graders will enjoy this one because of those pranks, it was hard for me not to disapprove and worry about what might have gone wrong. Not only did the pranks seem mean-spirited rather than funny, but they could have endangered lives and distracted the Secret Service. The book does contain some neat insider points about living in the White House, and the escape of Laffy, the ferret, provides amusement, but it was hard for me to get over the meanness of the pranks. Even the farewell letter written by Winnie and Ingrid didn't save this for me. And perhaps it's a small matter, but the end of chapter 19, page 236 has an exchange between the twins after the other girls have vacated the premises. Skylar and Zora are talking about their new roles and celebrating, and all of a sudden Ingrid's name pops up as one of the speakers when clearly it should be Zora. Ingrid's no longer in the picture or in the White House. Still, despite my concerns, this one will find a receptive audience.
January 19, 2021
For sisters Ingrid and Winnie it is hard enough to be America’s first daughters but when they welcome the incoming first daughters with a harmless prank the peaceful transition of power is at risk.
Both families experience being the “firsts” For Winnie and Ingrid, they are the first Latinx family. Skylar and Zoe’s mother is the first female president. All eyes are on these two families and the White House staff and their parents expect them to be on their best behavior.
But that is difficult when the perfect prank is within reach.
I liked how the author talked about the unfair burdens people of color experience in high positions of power face. Both sets of sisters are expected to be shining examples of not only the Presidents daughters but the Latinx or Black communities.
The relationship between Winnie and Ingrid feels authentic as does Skylar and Zoe. Each sister
Team works together but they also experience
Normal feelings of sibling jealousy and
Frustration.
The pranks are tame, but show how even small
Jokes get out of hand.
This book is good for 4-6 grade readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children for an ARC. I was not paid for my review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Both families experience being the “firsts” For Winnie and Ingrid, they are the first Latinx family. Skylar and Zoe’s mother is the first female president. All eyes are on these two families and the White House staff and their parents expect them to be on their best behavior.
But that is difficult when the perfect prank is within reach.
I liked how the author talked about the unfair burdens people of color experience in high positions of power face. Both sets of sisters are expected to be shining examples of not only the Presidents daughters but the Latinx or Black communities.
The relationship between Winnie and Ingrid feels authentic as does Skylar and Zoe. Each sister
Team works together but they also experience
Normal feelings of sibling jealousy and
Frustration.
The pranks are tame, but show how even small
Jokes get out of hand.
This book is good for 4-6 grade readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children for an ARC. I was not paid for my review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 14, 2021
Personally, I think Méndez is a stronger writer for the older y/a market. Of the three books by her that I have read, Furia was the strongest and I gave it a full 4 stars, which I don't do that often.
What I liked: this is a fun book for girls of all cultures, and it has Hispanic girls of colour featured along with black girls in situations where they have not been traditionally represented in majority white countries.
What I didn't like: rather formulaic and predicable with the girls' personality types, plus of course having two first families in a row with two girls each that are the same ages, is extremely contrived (but fun for kids, of course, and children's fiction tends to get away with that). Yes, given the age group, the ending should be much like it is, but I didn't find the personalities or types of antics very original.
What I liked: this is a fun book for girls of all cultures, and it has Hispanic girls of colour featured along with black girls in situations where they have not been traditionally represented in majority white countries.
What I didn't like: rather formulaic and predicable with the girls' personality types, plus of course having two first families in a row with two girls each that are the same ages, is extremely contrived (but fun for kids, of course, and children's fiction tends to get away with that). Yes, given the age group, the ending should be much like it is, but I didn't find the personalities or types of antics very original.
February 14, 2021
This was a solid, hilarious story about four first daughters who accidently start a prank war against each other in the white house. The Lopez sisters have spent the last 8 years of their life in the white house. They were so young when they moved in that they don't remember life outside of it. Now that it's time for a new president, there father eagerly welcomes the first woman president into the white house early. Her twin girls and the Lopez sister knew each other from the campaign circuit, but when four first daughters are struggling with finding their places and letting go of their old ones, things get rather crazy.
I loved this story and I can't wait to read it to my 3rd grade library classes. I think they'll really enjoy it. So many of them have already asked me what it's about when they've seen it laying on my desk.
I loved this story and I can't wait to read it to my 3rd grade library classes. I think they'll really enjoy it. So many of them have already asked me what it's about when they've seen it laying on my desk.
May 20, 2022
What's it like to be a First Child and grow up in the White House? I'd like to know! I don't know how realistic SHAKING UP THE HOUSE is (probably not very), but it does have an intriguing premise. It also offers some fun facts and trivia about the White House. I also like that the story features young women of color and addresses the unique pressure that is on them, not just because of their positions in society but because of their ethnicity. The prank war at the center of the novel is entertaining, even if the pranks are actually pretty mean-spirited. I'm also not sure such a battle would end so easily in reality. Still, I think kids will enjoy this lighthearted story with its unique setting and comical plot. I didn't love it, but I liked it well enough.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
December 6, 2020
A prank war spirals out of control when, for the first time ever, two Presidential administrations will overlap their time in the White House by seven weeks. I appreciated the diversity of the Presidential office in the story and found some of the trivia tidbits about the White House, and its staff, to be interesting. However I struggled with the number of perspectives in the story (four main characters POV) and felt like I was missing something in the arc of the girls friendship. They got along fabulously on the campaign trail but then that abruptly changed during their time living together at the White House, and I was never really sure why.
May 16, 2021
I thought this was a good middle grade that teaches children about American politics and also emphasizes the importance of representation specifically having a Black woman as POTUS and a Latinx POTUS, First Lady, and First Daughters in the White House. The children even say in dialogue how George Washington would hate having them there. This book had great conversations and some fun mischief between the two families: Zora & Skylar and Winnie and Ingrid. However, I wasn't very invested in this story and it didn't make me want to keep picking it up to see what happens next because the plot slows down a bit. But, I would recommend this to children 12 and up!
January 27, 2021
A new president is elected and her twins Skylar and zora are coming to stay but Ingrid and her sister Winnie make there first priority to follow the tradition pranking the newcomers. But after their small welcome prank, the other sisters need payback. And soon it escalates to a prank war that they are desperately hoping no one finds out about, but that’s impossible if your the daughter of the president. When everything goes wrong it’s up to them to get it sorted while still behaving like presidents daughters.
June 9, 2023
239 pgs. This is a solid realistic fiction book that pits one family's twins against another. The outgoing President invites the incoming President's family to move in early and share the holidays together. The twins begin playing pranks on each other that get out of hand. Kids will enjoy this story, especially if they are twins themselves. I originally classified this as humor fiction (based on the book website I purchased it from ) but after reading it I feel it was more realistic in nature. I think today's kids will be able to relate to it well. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.
August 9, 2023
It seems like the mental age of the characters is closer to eight than preteen. There are some good tidbits about the Whitehouse however like most middle grade these days it's not a great story. It's a great story idea. The dialogue is somewhat predictable. To me the characters come across as starstruck, two-dimensional, and consumed with their outward appearances rather than being real. The characters seem caught up in minutiae meanwhile they could shed concern for current events such as child hunger.
October 14, 2020
Link to my book talk: https://youtu.be/-TdKgMgcWE0
This novel is written from the perspective of the first daughters transiting to the president-elect daughters. I love this book because the plot is amazing and who doesn't love reading about pranks? The author did a great job of keeping the readers excited and on the edge of their seats. It is also fun because you can connect with all of the characters in one way or the other. This is an amazing book for middle-grade readers.
This novel is written from the perspective of the first daughters transiting to the president-elect daughters. I love this book because the plot is amazing and who doesn't love reading about pranks? The author did a great job of keeping the readers excited and on the edge of their seats. It is also fun because you can connect with all of the characters in one way or the other. This is an amazing book for middle-grade readers.
March 30, 2022
Kids will enjoy the over-the-top pranks played in this humorous story about two sets of first daughters in the White House, as well as the details about the house itself. Maybe reading it would have brought it up to 3 stars; the narrator was less than stellar, all the characters sounded the same. I'm an adult, so not the target audience, but for me, this was a slow, tedious audio with some pranks that were just plain mean, which I don't find funny.
September 11, 2020
This book is so enjoyable and full of life and energy! Meet two fun feuding pranksters duets trying to "shake up" the White House in this book: the Lopez sisters and Williams sisters. One is the outgoing first kids and the other the incoming. Through a variety of pranking antics the girls come together and show a positive and hopeful dream for the American White House!
February 2, 2021
Pranks galore in the White House... need I say more?
The idea of Shaking Up the House by was fun & refreshing, and the audiobook such an enjoyable listen!
And this!!! :
“People look up to us as either good examples to follow or terrible ones to avoid.”
(Never thought about how much pressure it is for those in the spotlight, whether it’s the White House or other well known figures!)
The idea of Shaking Up the House by was fun & refreshing, and the audiobook such an enjoyable listen!
And this!!! :
“People look up to us as either good examples to follow or terrible ones to avoid.”
(Never thought about how much pressure it is for those in the spotlight, whether it’s the White House or other well known figures!)
April 8, 2021
Overall disappointing. The premise is awesome and furthermore very wish fulfillment, with all the POC enjoying life as residents of the White House.
But the characters were wooden and samey, and it's been a long time since I've read a book with this much telling and not showing. It felt like a slog to get through.
I really wish I had more good I could say about it.
But the characters were wooden and samey, and it's been a long time since I've read a book with this much telling and not showing. It felt like a slog to get through.
I really wish I had more good I could say about it.
April 28, 2021
I enjoyed the Latina sisters welcoming the Black sisters into the white house. That part was great. The hijinks were...ok. I did not enjoy the amount of emotional tension that was clearly present throughout the prank war, and would have appreciated all the same pranks but where everyone understood it was in good fun and enjoyed themselves. Still, gotta love the premise.
July 18, 2021
This was a sweet book! During a presidential transition two sets of first families have to share the White House. The Lopez sisters decide to carry on the tradition of first family pranks, but it gets out of hand. Great White House facts are woven throughout a fun story. Positive messages about family and friendship and becoming a less-divided country. Perfect for 3rd-5th.
June 14, 2024
A welcome to the white house joke turns into a prank war when Ingrid and Winnie López try to welcome their friends Skylar and Zora Williams. Being 2 latino and 2 black girls in the white house, the girls have to be careful with the press and staff following them. This book is a must read if you like jokes and pranks.
March 20, 2021
I don’t think the book matched the description. None of the “pranks” where funny IMO. Cut up underwear in popsicles? Really? The girls being pranked were angry and/or hurt. That’s not a funny prank. I was disappointed because I have loved the other books by Mendez.
October 26, 2025
This book wasn’t bad at all, but it wasn’t good. To say the least I would have rather not read this book rather than read it. I felt like it was predictable and just not like a good book. I hated Skylar and Zora and how they thought they knew every single little thing.
January 16, 2021
What a cute book! Loved it!
February 5, 2021
Very cute & fun .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews