THE FREE STATE OF JAX, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic, Oct. 21, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A boy sets out to change his future by creating his own country in The Free State of Jax, a contemporary middle-grade novel by Jennifer A. Nielsen.
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. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic
When you think of Jennifer A. Nielsen, you probably think fantasy — The Traitor’s Game series; The Scourge; Ascendance Series — or historical fiction — Uprising, Iceberg, A Night Divided. Despite all the success, Nielsen hasn’t delved into contemporary fiction.
Until now.
The Free State of Jax tells the story of a kid who is sent to live with his aunt and uncle after his grandmother is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The Grimmitz family is awful, from Jax’s uncle straight down the line to the youngest of his cousins, there’s nothing redeemable. They’re bullies. They’re gross. And Jax want nothing to do with them.
So, Jax takes things into his own hands and founds his own country.
It’s always a joy to read a book where the main character feels authentic. From the start, Nielsen captures Jax’s voice and brings him to life. Even with all the heaviness life has handed him, Jax has a brightness to him. He’s self-assured, well prepared and able to think on his feet.
Nielsen’s supporting characters are also strong — ranging from weird and terrible to kind and flawed. It’s fun to see Jax’s world expand as he comes into contact with the neighborhood community.
The Free State of Jax has a little for everyone — mystery, adventure, a ghost, dastardly plots, friendship, community, and finding home. It’s a fast-paced novel that would be especially fun as a classroom read aloud. It’s one of my favorite middle-grade reads of the year.
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