The Free State of Jax

by Jennifer A. Nielsen

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen, this charmingly quirky coming-of-age story about a boy fighting for his freedom and a place to call home is brimming with mystery and adventure.

Jaxon Averett has had some terrifically bad luck. Because only the worst luck in the world can account for the fact that he has to live with his Uncle Clive Grimmitz, Aunt Helga, and their six kids in dead-end Walkonby, Kansas. Life with Jax's cousins isn't easy--they're all bullies, and his aunt and uncle can't even remember his name.

Which is why, on the night before his twelfth birthday, Jax sneaks over to the neighboring property, floats a raft out into the middle of the hot springs lake, and drops anchor.

Jax is now the president and sole citizen of his own micronation, the Free State of Jax.

With the help of new friends, a local lawyer, and the property owner Owen O'Keefe, Jax's micronation begins to flourish. But the Grimmitzes will do anything to get him back and they are not above sabotage. On top of that, Jax is quickly embroiled in the mystery of Owen's missing brother--and a lost windfall of the town's money.

Investigating puts everything Jax has built at risk, and when long-buried family secrets are unearthed, he must find the courage to do what's right, even if it means losing his only chance at freedom.

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen weaves an extraordinary mystery and a moving and hilariously zany story about family, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to do what's right, no matter the cost.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Audiobook, Friendship

352 pages, Hardcover

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Jennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time.

Reviews

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

“One boy, one town mystery, and one free state. Jennifer A. Nielsen spins an extraordinary mystery and a hilarious story about family, forgiveness, and finding the courage it takes to do what is right.”
On the night before his twelfth birthday, Jax decides he doesn’t want to live with his aunt and uncle and their six kids, not an ideal situation for anyone. Instead he sneaks over to his neighbor’s property, floats a raft out into the middle of the hot springs lake, and drops anchor. Jax is now the president and sole citizen of his own micronation, the Free State of Jax. With the help of new friends, a local lawyer, and the property owner, Mr. Owen O’Keefe, Jax’s micronation begins to flourish. But the Grimmitzes will do anything to get him back and they are not above sabotage. On top of that, Jax is quickly embroiled in the mystery of Owen’s missing brother and a lost windfall of the town’s money. Investigating puts everything Jax has built at risk, and soon long-buried family secrets are unearthed. Will Jax lose his only chance at freedom?” (Back cover)

I loved the character of Jax and I loved this story. Although most readers felt the ending wrapped up far too quickly, I think kids need a story with a hopeful conclusion. I am looking forward to recommending it to my students.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably would’ve liked this more if the ending hadn’t been so “perfect“; that the villains decided on their own that they were bad people and needed to reform really stretches the limits of credulity. I liked the concept and some of the themes, particularly the notion of kids working together on a project that benefits the community, but ultimately it was not as coherent as I would have liked.

Thank you to Scholastic for the ARC.

[Shiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up :)

[Patti Sabik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and hopeful mystery novel. Unique premise which would appeal to upper elementary and younger middle schoolers. While the civics references seemed a bit contrived, I think they could be quite comical for the right reader.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lest you think Jennifer Nielsen's craft lies solely within the realm of compelling historical fiction, the embodiment of the narrative of Jax' story scoffs back and says, Think again! Through perseverance and determination, Nielsen crafts a story of a twelve year old boy looking to escape the treacherous realities which confine him. Readers are left with no choice but to root for the young hero, learning more about imminent domain, family problems, and more as he seeks separation from what is bad in order to establish his life into something more. The plot was gripping and my hands had trouble keeping up with my mind as I raced to find out what happens next. The penultimate victory of hope and resilience under-girds the compelling story of Jax and left me craving a sequel, knowing just how much one can achieve when the will to escape that which is bad triumphs and leads such an easy-to-love character to conquer and move forward.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jax was inspired by a treaty he read about online. It lined out the the four things you had to do to start your own country. So the day he turned 12, Jax put his plan into action. He snuck out of the house, crawled onto his raft, and declared his new country The Free State of Jax. Jax is aided by his reclusive old neighbor who allows him to claim eminent domain over part of the lake and shoreline on his property, but won't allow his aunt and uncle to step foot across their property line.

The seemingly ridiculous premise of this story sucked me in quickly. I soon learned that Jax had recently been placed with his aunt and uncle and many unfriendly cousins because his grandmother, who had raised him since he was little, could no longer care for him. While lots of people were not taking his new nation seriously, it was perfectly clear that Jax was serious about proceeding with his independence. He was fighting for his voice to be heard.

In the process of fighting for his freedom from a family he did not want to live with, Jax made some friends, learned about asking for help when you need it, and solved a years' long mystery. This story was both funny and heart-warming. It was unique and surprising and I really enjoyed it.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different book from what most of us are used to with Jennifer Nielsen. Her main character, Jax, will remind you of some of her other narrators though, it's mostly that this is in a realistic fiction genre rather than most of her books being historical fiction or fantasy. Interesting read that will get kids talking about whether they are being listened to.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

Jaxon Averett has lived with his grandmother after the death of both parents in a boating accident when he was three, but when she is diagnosed with Alzheimers when she is 75, Jax has to go live with his Uncle Clive and Aunt Helga Grimmitz in Walkonby, Kansas. They have a small farm and six children, most of whom are nasty to Jax. He has to sleep on the floor, is constantly bullied by Dutch and Danger, and the family can't even get his name right, calling him Jack. When he turns 12, he decides to run away and declare part of the neighbor's year "The Free State of Jax", a micronation. He knows the laws, and follows them. Of course, his family follows him and tries to get him to come home, but Jax finds a surprising ally in the owner of the property, Owen O'Keefe. O'Keefe has kept to himself after an incident nine years ago that ended with him being accused of murdering his brother and defrauding many townspeople, so he's understandably wary of letting others onto his property or into his life. Jax is glad for the support, especially since his aunt and uncle call the police, Officer Pressman (who is nice) and Officer Doyle (who is not). Jax also gets help from Alicia Baylor, who is in school with him and runs a "Brownies not Bullies" group hoping to help other kids. She brings in her mother, who is an attorney, and offers to see what she can do to get Jax away from the Grimmitz. Alicia also brings other kids from school, and they enjoy swimming in the lake, which is naturally warmed by hot springs. This is why Owen and his brother Waylon had wanted to turn the area into a resort. Jax is worried that the kids aren't really his friends, but just want access to the lake. To prove otherwise, the children help clear weeds, make a path, and install weeding. When the legal issues with the Grimmitzes heat up and Jax must contend with Finley T. Creel, Esquire, who is helping the Grimmitzes adopt Jax, some clues to Waylon's disappearance surface, and seem to implicate Uncle Clive. Will Jax be able to assert his independence in his new country as well as solve the mystery of Waylon?

It seems fair to say that a vast number of tweens have thought about running away from home at one point or another, and Jax has more reasons than most. This adds an immediate appeal to the book; what better place to live than on a raft in a lake, where there's a concerned adult to bring you food? It was good to see that Jax had some people on his side, since his family were just about as horrible as Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia!

The information about micronations, and all of the politics involved made this a bit unusual, but also gave Jax a framework for staging his protest. I loved that Mr. O'Keefe demanded that Jax write a constitution before he let him stay on the property. While the legalities of the Grimmitz's adoption got a bit confusing, I appreciated that Nielsen drew from her own past, and from the powerlessness she felt when her parents were divorcing and no one seemed to care about her opinion.

Even though Jax's parents are both dead, this book is rather lighthearted, with plenty of goofy things going on. It's fun to see all of the children working on Stay awhile Springs and stepping in to help Jax. The mystery with Waylon gives Jax something else to occupy his mind and also a way to pay back Mr. O'Keefe for his support. Scholastic does a particularly good job at publishing happier titles, and it was fun to see a different type of book from Ms. Nielsen, who has published many historical fiction books (Resistance, One Wrong Step, Uprising, Iceberg, Lines of Courage, Words on Fire) as well as the False Prince fantasy series.

Hand this to fans of adventure stories that involve running away, like Kleckner's The Art of Running Away, Hashimoto's Bound for Home, Kothari's Bringing Back Kay-Kay, but let young readers know that running away is generally a bad idea, just like Mr. O'Keefe tells Jax!

This is a bit on the long side, at 352 pages, and there's plenty that could have been cut out, but still, bonus points for even TRYING to be cheerier!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic fiction for middle grades is a new genre for Jennifer Nielsen, known for her YA fantasy and MG historical fiction, and she knocks it out of the park with THE FREE STATE OF JAX. Jaxon Averett has just turned twelve and is absolutely done living with Aunt Helga, Uncle Clive and their 6 kids, 5 of which are destined to be incarcerated as soon they as they are old enough to be charge. His reading leads him to walk out the door to a nearby neighbor’s home, one who is seldom seen and mystery surrounds his creepy house and the lake it sits by, load up a raft with just a few supplies, hoist a flag and declare himself the president of his own micronation. What follows is the story of boy who has few options, thanks to the death of his parents at age three, his grandmother’s declining health, and few remaining relatives. What’s worse is that no one seems to care nor think he has any reason to be asked what he wants, and what he wants is a family who loves him and cares about his needs and desires. Raft/country afloat, it soon becomes clear to Jax that he may need a little more help than he thought and that help comes in the form of cranky Owen O’Keefe, the owner of the lake and the land around it, a lawyer who always seems to be rooting for the “little guy,” and a whole town full of kids who all know they are more capable than adults give them credit for.

Jax is a wonderful main character who deserves the pity of readers but somehow, those readers are much more likely to envy his strength, determination and cheer when adults seem to start recognizing those traits as well. Owen O’Keefe, a sad older man whom most of the town believes stole their investment money when he and his brother come up with the idea of turning their hot spring fed lake into a resort and killed his brother 9 years ago when they fought over those plans, becomes the first of those adults. The mystery that surrounds Owen becomes a part of Jax’s overall plan to establish his nation and begins to overlap in some surprising ways. The 5 incorrigible cousins are hilarious and along with their incompetent parents and a sneaky lawyer, give readers plenty to roll their eyes, shake their heads and laugh at. The hard work of Jax, Alicia (the general of his army) and a host of kids to turn the lakefront property into a real nation for kids (and a pretty neat place to swim) could possibly inspire those same readers into launching a worthwhile project of their own. Certainly, Jax determination to have some agency in determining the course of his life will resound with many who feel like their opinions and needs don’t count for much.

Highly recommended for readers in grades 4-7 and should be a “first choice” selection when library budgets are approved in the Fall of 2025. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and while there is some violence coming from and towards the cousins, most of it involves the throwing of smelly old socks, well-aimed mud catapults, balloons loaded with some farm fresh “perfume,” and some well-placed super-strength glue. Race, culture and sexual identity is left unspecified and as it is not really a critical part of the plot, readers can assign whatever they want to each of the characters.

Thanks for sharing a print arc with me, Scholastic!

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Jaxon Averett has lived with his Grandma since his parents’ death when he was little, but due to her advancing Alzheimer’s, he’s had to move in with his aunt, uncle, and cousins in rural Walkonby, Kansas.  Aunt Helga and Uncle Clive Grimmitz are neglectful at best, and five of Jaxon’s six Grimmitz cousins are mean-spirited bullies, each with their own criminal aptitudes - even five-year-old Chet-Chet is well-known for shaking down his kindergarten classmates for lunch money.  Jaxon knows that the Grimmitzes only agreed to take him in because of the money they get from the state for his care, but he is suspicious of an even more sinister motive as they seem really excited to celebrate his upcoming 12th birthday by legally adopting him.  Having recently learned of international laws governing the establishment of micronations, Jax posts a declaration of independence and leaves the Grimmitz home, naming himself the president and sole citizen of the The Free State of Jax.  

His new nation will be situated on a raft he’s built, but he has to cross their reclusive neighbor’s yard to reach the pond, which he soon realizes is actually a hot spring. When Uncle Clive pursues Jax, the neighbor, Owen O’Keefe, comes to his defense, but gives him some stipulations for his support - Jax has to write a constitution in order to claim eminent domain on O’Keefe’s land abutting the pond, and needs to install some boundary markers.  Jax is made aware that Owen O’Keefe has a shady past involving a missing brother, a large sum of townspeople's money, and a failed plan to build a recreation area at the hot springs, but he is convinced of the old man’s innocence.  As he works on Owen’s land, Jax is befriended by a girl named Alicia, whose lawyer mother agrees to become the attorney general of his country, and soon a whole crew of neighborhood kids are helping with clearing the land and converting it to something like the O’Keefe brothers’ original vision.  Emboldened by his new friends and the seeming success of his micronation, Jax is determined to find out the truth about Owen’s brother and how that story connects to the Grimmitzes’ nefarious plot to adopt him, and just as he is about to figure it all out, a terrifying tornado arrives to (literally) turn it all upside down.

Jennifer A. Nielsen is best known for intense middle grade/YA historical fiction and fantasy, but The Free State of Jax is an entertaining mystery with authentic small-town details, for an upper elementary audience.  Readers will certainly empathize with narrator Jax, admire his self-determination and knowledge of civics, and cringe at his living conditions at the Grimmitz home.  There is a great deal of humor in the way Jax, Alicia, and the other kids go to war with Jax’s cousins (who would certainly give Barbara Robinson’s Herdman family a run for their money), and a great deal of heart in the earnestness of Jax trying to move on with his life without his Grandma’s guidance and love.  Slightly dangerous situations, mild violence, and cartoonish villains are all assets to this fast-paced, fun-to-read story! Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaxon Averett’s parents died when he was three years old, killed in a boating accident, and he was raised by his grandmother who developed Alzheimer’s and moved to care. He then was sent to live with his abusive aunt and uncle who saw him as a paycheck but were strangely interested in adopting him, even though they didn’t even have his name right. His six cousins—Denise, Dutch, Daisy, Delilah, Danger, and Chet-Chet—were bullies (except Daisy who was too afraid to stand up to them).
On his twelfth birthday Jax left his aunt and uncle’s house, crossed to a neighbor’s lake, set out his raft, and declared the Free State of Jax, based on the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, a treaty signed in Montevideo, Uruguay, that codified the declarative theory of statehood, the requirements being a settled population, a defined territory, government and the ability to enter into relations [negotiate] with other states. (LSE Research)
“…this is our place. It’s for kids who no one listens to, for kids who have something important to say. It’s for everyone who will change the world by changing their world.… The Free State of Jax is going to change the world.” (ARC 101)
However the land he has claimed, by eminent domain, belongs to Owen O’Keefe, a man whom the townspeople and police are convinced defrauded them of their savings and killed his brother nine years before.
As Jax expands his state and kids from his neighborhood and school come to play but also to help clean up and transform the land, Jax finally makes friends and fills out his government with an attorney general, a five-star general, and even more positions. But as he also becomes convinced that Owen O’Keefe did not steal the funds for the planned hot springs resort or kill his brother Waylon, Jax tries to prove Owen’s innocence while also solving the mystery of the interest his own relatives and their lawyer have in him.”
What results is a fun read: adventure, hilarious antics, and a mystery or two; the story was both comical and poignant with an important message about collaboration, finding one’s voice, and speaking one’s truth. And a message about the power of words—both to hurt or heal. “Words are powerful things,” [Mr. O’Keefe] said. “The right words can build up a person, or destroy them.” (ARC 149)
But what drew me in the most were the characters. All the characters were well-developed, even the Grimmitz kids. This is a story that illustrates that it does truly take a village

[Sharon the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite author has done it again. It is a different genre than we are used to from her, but she shows that it doesn't matter what she writes- it will be magic. Not in genre- but the writing. I'm convinced she has a magic pen.

This realistic fiction MG story has poor Jax who has had some rough things in his life. He is now living with Aunt Helga and Uncle Clive and a slew of obnoxious and bullying cousins. He barely has enough to eat, they don't even know his correct name, and he has had enough.

Jax is smart, he reads. In fact he pays close attention to his reading and knows enough to start his own micronation, and what needs to happen to make it 'legal'. Armed with an inflatable mattress, a raft, a notebook, and a flag- he is officially President of his county- the Free state of Jax, even if it is floating in the middle of a pond. What he wasn't counting on though, is the interest it will bring from townspeople. Some are surprisingly on his side, others have ulterior motives that he is not aware of.

This fun story will make you laugh over and over again, give you a sense of pride in a fictional character who is trying to better himself, have you trying to figure out the side-story mystery, make you want to throw stiff socks at his cousins, and even shed a few stray tears. (where did they come from?) You will even understand why doing the right thing is always best, no matter the cost.

I love the fact that friendships are made of all different ages and backgrounds, not judging people by the rumors spread is always best, and that there can be good people in every situation- you just need to trust them.

MG readers and their adults will enjoy cheering for someone who is kind, smart, and doing his best in a rough situation. It could be a great launching point for discussions in so many areas.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Free State of Jax by Jennifer A. Nielsen completely charmed me. Jax Averett has had what you could call a spectacular streak of bad luck living with an uncle and aunt who barely know his name and cousins who make every day miserable. So when he floats a raft out into a hot springs lake and declares himself the president of his own micronation, I was fist-pumping on the couch. Finally, a hero who does what all of us wanted to do at twelve: make our own country and our own rules.

Nielsen makes the Free State of Jax feel real and fun laws, flags, friendships, and all but she also sneaks in mystery, tension, and heart. There’s sabotage from his dreadful relatives, a missing brother tied to a lost fortune, and big questions about who Jax can trust. I loved how Jax grew through it all. He starts out desperate just to escape, but the deeper the mystery gets, the more he’s forced to figure out what freedom and responsibility really mean.

This book is fast, funny, and heartfelt. It’s got the scrappy independence of Holes mixed with the small-town intrigue of a middle grade mystery. I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jax was such an endearing character. I was really hooked by his personality and and his sense of humor. The premise of the book was unique and I think it could have been dismissed as just a weird idea from a kid, but Jax's personality sold it. I loved his thoughts about his family life, government, and more--things such as "I don't even like creamed corn and I'm still not sure what Spam is" and "I didn't even bother writing down Congress. I'd never heard a single person say they liked Congress." It was heartwarming to see his interactions with Mr. Owen O'Keefe and other people in the town. Some parts of the mystery were a bit far-fetched, and think the whole thing wrapped up a little too neatly...but at the same time, it's what we all wanted Jaxon to get, so, I can't exactly mind too much.
Overall, fun book that just got itself added to my buy-a-print-copy-for-my kids list.

4 stars.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Diana Strand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jax has had enough of living with his aunt, uncle, and 6 cousins after his grandmother can no longer care for him: 7 of the 8 of them would give the Wormwoods a run for their money. Rather than run away in the traditional sense, he runs to launch a self-built raft in the neighbor’s pond, declaring it a micronation, The Free State of Jax. His aunt and uncle aren’t happy— they clearly have nefarious reasons to have been eagerly awaiting his 12th birthday— and they even have a sleazy attorney on their side. Jax starts to gather support, too — first the neighbor, then some local kids, and finally some adults. A lot of suspension of disbelief is required for this one, and I’d be interested to see if young readers piece things together as quickly as I did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for the digital ARC.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaxon Averett is a plucky kid who has been shuffled from his grandmother (after his parents died) to his ungrateful, nasty, bullying aunt and uncle and their six obnoxious children. How's that for a set up?

Jaxon has had enough, he's emancipating himself by declaring his raft a free state. He's plucky alright, and pretty gutsy. I can't think of a better way to move yourself from awful home life to "freedom", except he's 12.

Jaxon learns that friends, some adults, and even his wits will help him survive and thrive. And the author makes this clear through an engaging, exciting read.

Perfect for 8-12 year olds, this one takes on bullying, grief, and self-assurance. What more could a teen (or anyone for that matter) want in a book.

Thanks to Scholastic Press http://www.scholastic.com for an ARC to read and review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jax’s grandmother can no longer take care of him because of her worsening Alzheimer’s, he is sent to live with his Aunt and Uncle and his unruly cousins. They are so mean to him that he comes up with a unique way to run away – he moves to a raft on a pond on the seemingly-abandoned property next door and declares it a new country: The Free State of Jax. Things get complicated fast – the property is not abandoned, his Aunt and Uncle demand that he return to their home, and the lake is actually a hot spring. With the help of new friends and supportive adults, Jax learns more about his own family and the reclusive owner of the property housing his new country. Will he solve the mystery of the neighbor’s missing brother? Will he find the town’s missing money? Why do his Aunt and Uncle need him to return home and what is their lawyer up to?

[Rubi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is unique story about a boy whos.....homelife was not the best, and decided he'd had enough and would create his own country.
Now, what he did was pretty unsafe and he was blessed to have understanding adults who supported and encouraged his eccentricities. In real life, child protective services would have been called and he definitely wouldnt be allowed to camp on someone elses property, let alone bring more kids along.
But I found it entertaining and loved how he was forced to do research as he formed his government and "country". He was taught to stay self reliant and make allies and honestly, kids could learn a lot from Jax's struggles and venture. Not sure I'd reread it, but it does have a lot to offer and think kids would prob have and go idea to get their imagination on what kind of country they'd like to build should they have the opportunity 😊

[Kate Goforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Nielsen has done it again.

This book was heartfelt, funny, kept me on the edge of my seat, and I may or may not have teared up at the end. It's filled with mystery, humor, friendship, and family. This story is very well-written with characters that leap off the page and it is the perfect summer read!

This book is completely clean and deals with heavier topics well that makes it safe for a younger audience.

Content warnings: Jax's parents passed away before this book begins, someone is suspected of murder, and Jax's step-family doesn't treat him well.

I can't wait to see what else Nielsen writes in the future!

Note: I received an eARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

On his twelfth birthday, Jaxon Averett invokes the 1933 Treaty of Montevideo to create his own micronation, The Free State of Jax, to establish his independence from his Aunt and Uncle who have taken custody of him as his Grandma receives care for Alzheimer’s. What ensues is a story that will break your heart, fill you with hope, and make you laugh out loud. This story is a step away from Nielsen’s typical genres, but she delivers heart and the same great storytelling she puts into every book she writes.

Thank you to Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

[Esther Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so rich in characterization and goodness. It has a bit of mystery to really engage young readers, and I thought this was a masterpiece. I haven't devoured a book so quickly (that wasn't a graphic novel) in a very long time.
Jax has come to live with his aunt and uncle and 6 cousins for 3 months, and he has had enough. So he runs to the abandoned property next door (so he thought) and tries to start his own micronation, the Free State of Jax. But his aunt and uncle are determined to get him back, and Jax must accept help if he wants to succeed. Instead, he helps solve a 9-year-old mystery that helps him and the entire town.

[Sara Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid entry in the Foster Kid lane of middle grade fiction with a creative premise. Jax decides to escape his abusive foster home by establishing his own country in what he thought was an abandoned lake. I have a few quibbles with the pacing, but young readers will appreciate Jax's can-do independence. And, the mystery folded into the plot works well, adding some suspense to the plot.

My biggest concern is how the abusive home is handled - mostly for laughs at the absurdity of the characters. No one every asks Jax to explain specifically why living on a raft is better than living with his aunt and uncle. I sure wish some of the good adults in the book had done that.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Scholastic for the advance copy. Heartfelt, quirky, funny, mystery about a boy trying to find a family and a place to call home. Requires a little suspension of disbelief, but that’s part of the fun humor aspect. A main character you certainly want to root for. It’s challenging to maintain a tone that is both a little zany and a little serious, and sometimes the serious parts felt a little forced to me or the tone felt a little off, like it didn’t always fit with the rest of the story. Nonetheless, entertaining and fun.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the rules of law, Jax sets out to set up a micronation on his neighbor's property. Jax's parents died when he was 3 and he'd been living with his grandmother until recently. Now he's miserable with his aunt, uncle, and cousins, whose cruel treatment is reminiscent of the Dursleys. While starting his nation, he becomes embroiled in a mystery of what happened to the neighbor, the neighbor's brother, and a large amount a cash. This is fun to read with a great mystery and a satisfying ending. Recommended for grades 4 & up.

eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

[Nancy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jax is determined to create his own nation to avoid being adopted by his aunt and uncle and their cruel children, but they are just as determined to adopt him. Why? And is the land that Jax has claimed through eminent domain the haunted? Jax is adamant he can survive on his own, but learning how to ask for help and trust others may solve many of his problems. As a teacher, I could easily use this to supplement a government class on laws, but it wouldn't bore them. Nielsen pulls the reader in through the mystery and the desire to cheer on Jax and others.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun mystery where a 12 year old boy has the courage to create and become president of his own micro-nation all in order to avoid being adopted by his good fortune nothing aunt and uncle. He does this all only to be thrust into the mystery of Waylon’s disappearance.

Suspending disbelief (and incredulity) comes easy in the fun mystery. Young lawyers and lawyers at heart will find much to love.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a proper place for this book. If a class was studying nations and politics, founding of our country, etc. this book would be a great read during such a unit. However, for overall entertainment and enjoyability, it was okay. A bit cliche. I really enjoy most of Jennifer’s books. This one was a bit lacking, but also geared towards younger readers. No issues.

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a Jennifer A. Nielsen fan ever since I read "False Prince" way back when, so I'm not surprised that I enjoyed her newest contemporary fiction about a boy who doesn't want to be adopted by his horrible aunt and uncle so creates his own country in an attempt to liberate himself. The characters are likable, the plot is interesting, and the twists at the end are satisfying.

[Deuce Naftel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the book, but the way Jax's aunt and uncle and their children behave was truly reprehensible and the ending of their arc was deeply unsatisfying. Other than that it was an interesting and fun, if completely implausible, read. But then it's meant as an elementary age read so it's no worse than a child/teen detective story.

[Brandi Fundingsland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took a bit to get into. However, it had me smiling and shedding a tear a time or two. I would agree that it is upper elementary/lower middle appropriate. Great themes of wanting to be loved and belong, and words have power.