THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE WAY

Kids engage in battle with neighborhood bullies in Pinaire’s middle-grade take on the American Revolutionary War.

In Independence Way, red-shirted 8th-grade bullies rule the neighborhood’s 13 blocks with intimidation and so-called laws. But Down with Crown, a secret society made up of tweens, has finally had enough when the latest lemonade tax is imposed. They set up a lemonade stand and show their resistance by humiliating Georgie King, the wealthy and villainous leader of “the Reds.” When it becomes clear that the Reds’ ensuing retaliations threaten every kid in Independence Way, the youngsters declare war. They turn to GW (aka Georgina) to become their Commander General, a role she reluctantly accepts. The Independence Warriors are definitely the “little guy” up against a formidable foe that’s systematically taking over neighborhood blocks. But GW, with inspiration from her basketball coach, dreams up a strategy that may have the Warriors celebrating a victory before their summer vacation is over. Pinaire’s short allegorical novel forgoes subtlety in an entertaining and educational fashion; Independence Way’s streets are named after the Thirteen Colonies, and skilled writer TeeJay drafts “the Freedom Thing” (“All kids are created equal,” the document declares). An addendum lists what each character and event historically represent, but the author develops his characters as individuals: GW is still getting over losing her father to brain cancer about a year ago, and Sammy (of Down with Crown) has a tendency to be obnoxiously loud and insulting. There’s a fair amount of humor as well, especially in the banter between street delegates during their intermittent “gatherings” (“‘I’m wondering,’ Dickie ventured, ‘whether we might have some options that don’tinvolve punching anyone’”), along with such clever touches as Georgie’s discernibly evil laugh (“heh heh heh”). While some of the ongoing conflict entails morally questionable tactics on both sides, including physical assaults and social-media hacks, this mostly lighthearted story favors political maneuvering over action.

A witty allegory of U.S. history and a diverting tale of personal triumphs.