What kid doesn’t dream of becoming President? The Kid Who Ran for President captures that fantasy in the campaign of a twelve year-old who seriously campaigns for the highest office in the US.
Dan Gutman writes books kids want to read, and this book is no exception. The Kid Who Ran for President is a hilarious tale as young Judson Moon goes from a regular middle school moron to a serious candidate to the Presidency.
Summary
Judson Moon never thought he would be a candidate for the highest office in the United States. He’s just a normal seventh grader. Besides, you have to be 35 years old to get elected, anyways.
Lane Brainard, however, isn’t going to let any of that stop him! He’s Judson’s best friend and a legitimate genius. He’s really into politics, too, and he’s getting sick of the two party system that doesn’t get anything done. He thinks a kid should run for President!
Judson agrees for one reason and one reason only; he thinks it will be fun. A kid running for President! Who would take that seriously? He is surprised to realize, however, that Lane’s strategy is working. Kids like his ideas of abolishing homework and bed-making so much that they force their parents to support him.
Before too long, Judson is rising in the polls. He chooses an old black lady named June Syers as his running mate, and a nice looking girl named Chelsea to be his first lady instead of the girl he really likes.
And the debates are brutal. Although Lane prepares him well, he decides to throw it and uses sarcasm instead. But will his strategy actually backfire and land him at the top of the polls? Will he actually win the Presidency? And if he does, will he take it?
Review
The Kid Who Ran for President is one of my favorite kids books, and probably my favorite by Dan Gutman (which is saying something). The book is written from the first person, and Judson is a very normal kid who we can identify with a lot.
There is humor all throughout the book and the book just whizzes by as we learn about Moon’s bid for the White House. A kid running for President is just such an awesome concept that it’s bound to me a good book.
Although certain parts of the book are unrealistic (of course), it also confronts some moral and emotional issues. These include what Judson should do when a national scandal hits on him, what he should do with his real closest friend who is a girl when he chooses someone else to be his first lady, and whether he is actually fit to be President.
This is a hilarious book that appeals to even the most reluctant readers. Plus there is a sequel called The Kid Who Became President which is just as good. Any boy around fourth to seventh grade will devour this book.
Buy the book!
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I love Dan Gutman’s books but have managed to miss this one. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. It sound like a fun premise that many boys and probably an equal number of girls would enjoy.
Interesting. I’m intrigued enough to pick it up and curious how I’ll respond, since plot holes tend to bug but on the other hand, I love humor. At any rate, thanks for bringing it to my attention! And happy MMGM!
This sounds like such a fun book. What kid doesn’t want to run for president? I think my sons would love this–thanks for the rec!