A Young Adult Edition of Gretchen Whitmer’s Memoir “True Gretc”h Is on Its Way: ‘I Hope This Guide Helps Them’ (Exclusive)

The Michigan governor’s memoir was originally published in July 2024, but this new version has additional advice for young readers

Gretchen Whitmer’s bestselling memoir, True Gretch, is making its way to a new audience.

The Michigan governor has shared, exclusively with PEOPLE, that a young adult edition of her bestselling memoir, True Gretch, is set to be published early next year through Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

Whitmer’s memoir, True Gretch, came out in July 2024 and detailed the trajectory of Whitmer’s career, including her tenure as a legislator and lawyer prior to taking office as Michigan’s governor in 2018. Whitmer also discussed the insight that helped guide her along the way, including during the pandemic and through the 2020 kidnapping and assassination plot against her.

In True Gretch—Young Adult Edition, Whitmer zeroes in on the advice she’s received, and shares stories about her childhood in the midwest and the importance of advocacy for a young audience. The memoir is “packed with remarkable insights for young people wishing to make a difference in the world,” per its publisher.

Related: In True Gretch, Gretchen Whitmer Shares What She Does When 'Your Figure Becomes a Matter of Public Discussion' (Exclusive)

True Gretch—Young Adult Edition also includes new content, like a Q&A with Whitmer’s teenage daughters and additional resources relating to gun violence and sexual assault.

“My goal with True Gretch—Young Adult Edition is to help readers find the good and use it to make a difference in their own lives,” Whitmer tells PEOPLE in an exclusive quote. “There's no group for whom this is more true than our young people. Their new ideas, fresh perspectives and desire to make their communities even better is just what we need right now. I hope this guide helps them as they navigate all the challenges they face, both big and small, and 'get stuff done.’”

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Related: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Eliminates State's 'Tampon Tax': 'The Right Thing to Do'

Whitmer spoke with PEOPLE in 2020 about her experiences as governor during the height of the pandemic. She explained that, due to her role, she had the opportunity to make crucial decisions on behalf of her state.

"When you become governor of any state, but a state like Michigan, you’re governor 24/7," Whitmer said, at the time. "We have long, busy days in the best of times. And in these challenging times, it certainly means there are additional pressures."

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“At the end of the day, I’m always going to keep staying focused on doing my job,” the governor added. “It’s been a lot bigger and more complicated than anyone could have imagined and yet that’s where every ounce of energy has gone.”

True Gretch—Young Adult Edition will be published on Jan. 28, 2025 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.

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