THE FREE STATE OF JAX

THE FREE STATE OF JAX by Jennifer A. Nielsen

GREEN LIGHT with CAUTION

AGES: 5TH - 8TH GRADE

The Free State of Jax is a step outside of Jennifer A. Nielsen's usual style of storytelling.

Jaxon Averett is in a tough situation, and he's about to do something about it. Orphaned after his parents were killed in a boating accident, he went to live with his grandmother. Now, his grandmother has dementia, and there's no where else to go except to live with his horrible Uncle Clive, Aunt Helga and their six kids. Mentally and emotionally abusive, it's not a question of does the family want Jax. They do. The question is why? He doesn't come with an inheritance that he's aware of, and his uncle and aunt can't even remember his name most of the time, but there's got to be some reason they want him so desperately.

Finally Jax can't take anymore, so he sets out to do something drastic. The night before his twelfth birthday, he decides to create his own micronation where he is president. He knows he can't do this on his uncle and aunt's property, so he chooses the abandoned property next door. Specifically, the pond is claimed. He builds a small raft, floats out of reach, and hunkers down. Only the property isn't abandoned. The owner hides away because of something that happened years ago that affected the whole town. Finding himself in the middle of multiple mysteries while trying to establish his new nation, Jax has a lot more going on than he originally bargained for. It's all hanging by a thread as to whether this summer will turn out to be the best summer ever or the worst.

Initially, when I started this book, I was a little concerned where it was going to go. Living in the world we do today, we sometimes hear about cases of children usurping authority, suing parents, etc. That's not where Nielsen takes us or leaves us. Instead, it's clear that an underage child does need an authority figure. While it is possible to try and establish a micronation in the U.S., they are typically not recognized and are challenged by local, state, and federal government. Overall, I found this unique cry for help to be very refreshing and the plot twists kept me coming back for more.

HEADS UP -

-One secondary character has two dads that are mentioned in 1 sentence passes each time.

-**SPOILER ALERT** It is thought that possibly a murder occurred in the past. It did not.