The Kid Who Ran for Principal

by Judy K. Morris

Can a sixth grader be principal of her own school? Bonnie Mann is a good girl who always does what she is told. But this year she has Mr. Locke, who is mean and unfair and who really doesn't know how to teach math.

When the principal of her school suddenly dies, Bonnie, urged by her loyal friends, decides to run for interim principal so she can take over--and fire Mr. Locke.

Bonnie is skeptical and the campaign is hard; everyone wants something special in exchange for votes. It isn't until election night, when Bonnie challenges her formidable opponent, the powerful third-grade teacher Mrs. Atkins, that she realizes in order to change things and make them better, you sometimes have to speak out--even if others think it's wrong.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Maggie Needham · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason, I really liked this book as a little kid. It's not very good, though.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very possibly the most accurate book about an organizing campaign ever written. Just extraordinary. Tragic that it is out of print. Should be a widely read classic.

[Percival Buncab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't your typical children's novel. It's a story of 6th grade elementary students rising against their faulty school system. Gail, who wants to get rid off their incompetent and lazy teachers, always knew that it's possible for a student to be an interim principal. So when their principal suddenly passed away, she led the campaign of her classmate, Bonnie, a good girl who is tired of being just "good".

I enjoyed reading this even as a college student because we're dealing with the same stuff.

Considering it's primarily written for children, the story build and the characters' development are great.

One of my favorite scenes is when Bonnie is making sure that it's legal for a student to run for principal. Gail assured her by letting her read their bylaws. It just says "the school community can participate" without telling who exactly the "school community" is. And Gail replied, "Without us, they don't have a school. If every kid gets a stomachache the same morning and stays home, they'll find out who the school community is."

[Sparkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was actually recommended to me by my brother and after reading it, I find it so amazing and so inspiring. Imagine, a kid had the guts to run for principal just to straighten things up in their school. Well, for those who haven't read it yet, I suggest you should. ^_^

[Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship]

Surprised to see hardly anyone has read this. I haven't read it as an adult but loved it as a kid.