It is time for a book review with the twins… This is an advance read we got called Kid in Chief by Paul Maguire. For us Canadians transplanted onto US soil it was fun to have this avenue to discuss American politics. Especially with the idea that a KID could run a country. The book itself is multiple chapters and took us more than a few sittings to go through but even with our reading schedule broken up by events and deadlines the story stuck with us as did the wish to finish it! 

Oh, for a quick intro… on a field trip Bobby Barton is on his way to Washington DC. with his 3rd grade class. While looking at the National Archives he notices a fold in the Constitution… what is under that fold changes his life and the country’s future all at once! I will leave the rest of this entertaining story up to you to enjoy and the boys to explain below! 

Now for the boys’ thoughts and opinions on this book. I will warn you, there MAY be spoilers! Onto the reviews of our two newly 9 year olds!!

Gavin:

I liked this story because the president let the boy play checkers and if he won he would be president. This is because they found a crooked paper. I thought it was interesting that the boy didn’t know how to be president. He had to learn how to make speeches, he had to learn how to be nice to everyone. I liked the pictures at the beginning of each chapter. I liked the kid president the most because I liked his laws. I really liked the exercise one because you get to exercise each day and that is fun. I think I would like to read this book again another day.

Gavin’s illustration of the President sneaking away

Zander: 

My favourite person was the president because he was cool because he ran the whole country (the one in the end). I liked Black and Block the bodyguards because they can tell when the kids were playing tricks. I liked that most of the people were really smart. It was interesting that the boy didn’t know how much the party cost. I liked all the laws. I learned that you should always be nice and it’s good to follow the president’s laws. I would probably read this book again. 

Zander’s illustration of one of the speeches

So there  you have it, the boys loved the story. Though we are still having to remind them that it is PRESIDENT not PRINCIPLE but the interest is now started to learn more about who governs this country and how. Though they still do NOT believe me that only ONE president is needed! Kid in Chief is a fun chapter book the deals with some rather interesting and complex ideas in a way that makes a great impact on your young reader. 

Kid in Chief