Synopsis
Eric would rather daydream about space aliens than do homework. But when his favorite playground is about to be sold to real estate developers, he launches into action. Discovering that the plan to sell the park comes from Mayor Bishop, who happens to be up for reelection, Eric convinces his mother to run for office — or so he thinks! Eric is so busy organizing petitions, designing signs, thinking up cool giveaways, and arguing with his nemesis Caitlin, Mayor Bishop’s niece, that he forgets one important detail: telling his mom she’s running for mayor! How can Eric persuade his mother to run, fend off Caitlin’s rivalries, and still manage to get his homework done?
As the election nears, Eric learns some very important lessons about personal responsibility and the needs of the local community. This funny and touching story reminds young readers that anyone can make a difference in their neighborhood.
Reviews
Grade 3-6–Imaginative fifth-grader Eric is running through a slushy Michigan park, trying to escape aliens. He rejoins the real world when he meets brainy Jon, his best friend. When they spot the for sale signs for Lenox Field, Eric decides that he must save the park and decides that the best way to do so is to get his mother elected to city council. With Jonathans help, he gets the necessary petitions and organizes the campaign, all while keeping his plan a secret from his mom. When his parents finally figure out what is going on, they decide that shell go ahead and run for office. Readers will identify with Erics good intentions, his frustrations, and his rivalry with know-it-all Caitlin, the mayors niece. The characters are well drawn, and the inherent civics lesson demonstrates democracy in action. Full-page, humorous drawings appear throughout. This novel is for a younger audience than Dan Gutmans The Kid Who Ran for President (Scholastic, 2000) and is more believable.–Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI
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Gr. 3-5. When the city council puts Eric's neighborhood park and baseball field up for sale, the impetuous fifth-grader decides to take action. His main idea, engineering his mother's campaign for a council seat, works out unexpectedly well. Spying on the mayor, on the other hand, has painful consequences. Though Eric begins with a simplistic view of the local issue that concerns him most, he comes to see that politics and politicians are more complex than they first appear. Eric is a likable character and a lively, observant narrator, reporting events with a sometimes amusing slant. Reflecting the text, Chesworth's full-page, black-and-white illustrations depict the characters with expression as well as humor. In an appended author's note, Edwards tells how her own community's city council is elected and encourages young people to consider becoming involved in local government when they grow up. This entertaining chapter book brings politics down to earth. Carolyn Phelan
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