HOW TO BE PRIME MINISTER AND SURVIVE GRADE FIVE BY CARLA FITZGERALD

Harper has been placed in a dilemma. Her dad has disappeared of to “a conference” and left his phone behind. The clothes he packed, the snorkel and ukulele suggest another story, but before Harper can ask him, he’s off out the door. For most families, this wouldn’t be much of a problem, but Harper’s dad happens to be Prime Minister of Australia. He was thrown into the job when he saved “two kids (and a labradoodle)” and is finding it to be just a tad overwhelming. Harper’s mum is away and uncontactable so it’s left to her and her little sister, Lottie to keep their father’s disappearance a secret.

 Harper is bombarded by texts from Dev, her dad’s chief of staff, asking politically sensitive questions. Harper and her sister must deal with all this and explain their father is sick and contagious and must stay in bed until he is better. Fending off Cerise, their bossy nanny, their body guards, Dev and the scheming bad guy, Deputy Saunders, is proving tricky. Time is running out as the Party Conference is only a week away and their dad is being pressured to reveal his policies.

 Themes of loyalty, family, the environment and the delicate balance between the truth and a lie are explored, and all inter-twined with a gentle humour. Harper’s character is shy and lacks confidence (a bit like her dad), while her sister excels at making friends and public speaking. Harper’s sensitivity as to why her dad has disappeared and how she holds the fort in his absence drawers the reader in. You can’t help but want her to succeed. You can’t even really get angry with her dad! Middle grade readers will love this fun tale of cat and mouse and light-hearted political satire.

For Ages: 8-12 years

Number of Pages: 256

Published: August 2022 University Queensland Press

Themes: Family, loyalty and the environment

Purchase here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/how-to-be-prime-minister-and-survive-grade-five-carla-fitzgerald/book/9780702265587.html