President of Poplar Lane is fun foray into the world of politics, but the politics are more cut-throat than everyday politics you see on the news because these politics are nestled in a surrounding of junior high popularity contests and personality struggles. This election has candidates and an electorate that are in the awkward years of junior high, when it’s hard for a candidate to figure out how best to present themselves to get the most votes because they don’t even really yet have a firm handle on their own identity.

This book addresses the conflicts between people in a family, friends at school, and a host of other acquaintances, but all the conflict is portrayed in a light-hearted and fun way. Drama abounds, but none of it is the “mean kid” style of drama. Throughout the book, characters strive to discover who they themselves are, what is the measure of true friendship, and even how to get along with people as difficult to deal with as siblings.

One unique aspect of President of Poplar Lane is the way it is told from various points of view. In addition to traditional first-person narration from various characters, the book also consists of characters’ blog entries and chapters from a fictitious book. This lends a thoroughness to the world of Poplar Lane and may appeal to middle grade audiences who are looking for something fresh instead of simple narrative.

This book is not the first in the set, but it can be picked up and read as a stand-alone story. It is a light, entertaining read with clever humor and a large cast of characters with their own unique quirks. This book should particularly appeal to older elementary kids about to begin their own journey through junior high and to those who have just arrived there.

Review of an Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Viking Books for Young Readers

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Report of a death by natural causes; a character’s name is used in a way that implies a threat (humorous); report of a fight with minor injury; a child threatens to kick others a few times; a few instances of property damage.

Sex/Nudity:  A young female character goes shirtless a few times (not sexual); discussion of whether a girl wears a training bra or not; report of tweens going on a date; “bra-snapping” is used as a joke to torment girls a few times; a female student is nervous about saying the word “bra” in front of a male teacher; girls discuss having a crush on a boy a few times; characters hold hands; a school has a committee that deals with public displays of affection; a student walks into the bathroom of the opposite gender for a non-sexual reason; and on-going joke involves a character’s imaginary significant other; girls discuss their periods several times.

Mature Subject Matter:

Feminism/gender equality is addressed in a lighthearted manner; bullying; class disparity (popular vs not-popular); girls discuss their periods several times, and this is a major plot element.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None