Jennifer Nielsen has done it again.

This book was heartfelt, funny, kept me on the edge of my seat, and I may or may not have teared up at the end. It's filled with mystery, humor, friendship, and family. This story is very well-written with characters that leap off the page and it is the perfect summer read!

This book is completely clean and deals with heavier topics well that makes it safe for a younger audience.

Content warnings: Jax's parents passed away before this book begins, someone is suspected of murder, and Jax's step-family doesn't treat him well.

I can't wait to see what else Nielsen writes in the future!

Note: I received an eARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jax has had enough of living with his aunt, uncle, and 6 cousins after his grandmother can no longer care for him: 7 of the 8 of them would give the Wormwoods a run for their money. Rather than run away in the traditional sense, he runs to launch a self-built raft in the neighbor’s pond, declaring it a micronation, The Free State of Jax. His aunt and uncle aren’t happy— they clearly have nefarious reasons to have been eagerly awaiting his 12th birthday— and they even have a sleazy attorney on their side. Jax starts to gather support, too — first the neighbor, then some local kids, and finally some adults. A lot of suspension of disbelief is required for this one, and I’d be interested to see if young readers piece things together as quickly as I did.

Jax has had a tough life. Finally he decides that he is going to take action to improve his life starting on his twelfth birthday. He is taking control of his own life. Things don’t go exactly as he plans, but through hard work, the help of a suspected murderer, and his ability to begin to trust and accept help from others, Jax not only improves his own life but also the entire community. This is a great story of determination that all students will enjoy and learn from.

Jax was inspired by a treaty he read about online. It lined out the the four things you had to do to start your own country. So the day he turned 12, Jax put his plan into action. He snuck out of the house, crawled onto his raft, and declared his new country The Free State of Jax. Jax is aided by his reclusive old neighbor who allows him to claim eminent domain over part of the lake and shoreline on his property, but won't allow his aunt and uncle to step foot across their property line.

The seemingly ridiculous premise of this story sucked me in quickly. I soon learned that Jax had recently been placed with his aunt and uncle and many unfriendly cousins because his grandmother, who had raised him since he was little, could no longer care for him. While lots of people were not taking his new nation seriously, it was perfectly clear that Jax was serious about proceeding with his independence. He was fighting for his voice to be heard.

In the process of fighting for his freedom from a family he did not want to live with, Jax made some friends, learned about asking for help when you need it, and solved a years' long mystery. This story was both funny and heart-warming. It was unique and surprising and I really enjoyed it.

Jennifer A Nielsen does not disappoint. This is an exciting and funny adventure about a boy named Jax who feels forgotten and unimportant in his big, busy family. On the night before his 12th birthday, he decides to start his own country—right in the middle of a lake! But things get tricky when a real mystery shows up involving a missing person and some stolen money. Jax has to be brave and smart to protect his new kingdom and help solve the mystery. This story is full of surprises, teamwork, and heart.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this book. The Free State of Jax is quite different from Jennifer A. Nielsen's other books. However, it did not disappoint. I found it a bit hard to get into at first, but by the end, I was smiling and shedding a tear or two. Great themes throughout. I think this would be a great read for 5th grade up.

Entertaining and hopeful mystery novel. Unique premise which would appeal to upper elementary and younger middle schoolers. While the civics references seemed a bit contrived, I think they could be quite comical for the right reader.