JAYSON GOES FOR IT!

Stutter notwithstanding, eighth grader Jayson Linden runs for class president against the coolest kid in middle school.

Teen author Harrington (who shared his own story in the 2021 picture book Brayden Speaks Up) stirs strategies and grievances alike into his debut novel, co-authored with Ritz. Jayson, who, like Harrington, speaks with a stutter, is pitted not only against rival candidate Mack—basketball star, local mayor’s son, and all-around A-lister—but also insensitive teachers, a hostile principal, and a wrongheaded speech therapist. Initially motivated to run by indignation at seeing Mack insist that champion arguer Gloria Lopez be barred from debate club speaking due to her stutter and best friend Chuck Neville arbitrarily rejected at basketball tryouts for clashing with Mack, Jayson goes on to run an inclusive students’ rights–based campaign against his opponent’s smooth promotions of school spirit and a refurbished gym. Fortunately, he has peer allies as well as a new therapist more attuned to his needs than the old one to help him get past his profound lack of confidence, a disastrous public speaking performance, and the interference of his plainly partisan principal on the way to a triumphant, feel-good close. If the story overall seems predictable, there is at least one unexpected twist in a significant character’s arc. Except for Chuck, who is Black, and Gloria, whose name cues her as Latine, the cast reads White.

Weighted by heavy messaging but buoyant enough to stay afloat.