The Free State of Jax

To escape his aunt and uncle and their bullies (otherwise known as children), Jax establishes a micronation to be free of their tyranny. The first step: a raft in the lake next door that he’ll acquire through eminent domain. He worries that Mr O’Keefe, accused of stealing money from the town and killing his own brother nine years earlier, will not be happy, but Jax has to do something. Sure, the police come, the Grimmitz’s lawyer visits, and Mr. O’Keefe has words, but at least his words usually include a bowl of stew or a plate of tacos. The local kids are excited about his micronation – they’re happy to clean up if it means swimming in the lake. However, there’s more at stake here than simply a bit of land and foster care payments.

A modern-day Pete’s Dragon, Jax is creative, adorable, and quick on his feet, and his hopefulness in the face of his helplessness is uplifting. So much is happening in this heartfelt story, but Nielsen weaves it together like the magician she is. Readers will love Jax as much as Sage (The False Prince) and Nic (Mark of the Thief) in this first contemporary novel.