YOUNG WORLD

An unsuspecting teen inspires a political movement that sees him elected president of the United States in this YA debut by bestselling middle-grade author Chainani.

When 17-year-old Benton Young, deep in thrall to a girl who has challenged him to imagine what he really wants for the world, makes a video that he hopes will impress her, it never occurs to him that it will go viral and become the catalyst for an electoral upheaval that unseats adult heads of state all over the world, replacing them with teens. This funny novel blends action sequences with journal entries and heartfelt portrayals of realistic relationships. Benton has felt abandoned by his mom, who’s cued white, ever since she divorced his Black father and remarried. He comes to understand how important his two best friends, Jax and Freddy, are to him as they stick by his side through all the chaos he’s experiencing. The author realistically captures the massive frustration and anger felt by young people toward politicians who have neglected the planet and their constituents in pursuit of their own power. Although this thriller eventually branches into something that feels almost fantastical, it’s very much grounded in real world ideas and is populated with sympathetic characters. The varied and colorful graphic design of the pages is appealing, adding visual interest and enhancing the story’s atmosphere.

A political thriller about serious ideas that’s replete with irreverent humor and poignant relationships.