The Kid Who Ran for President

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1996

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 2

Chapters 3-6

Chapters 7-10

Chapters 11-12

Chapters 13-14

Chapters 15-16

Chapters 17-18

Chapters 19-22

Chapters 23-24

Chapters 25-26

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Chapters 15-16Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 15 Summary: “America Is Calling”

The following day, Judson’s phone rings off the hook with calls from television shows and magazines that want Judson to be featured. Overwhelmed, Judson finally manages to call Lane between incoming calls and yells at Lane to come over because “America is calling!” (80). Lane shows up and takes over the phones with brisk efficiency, getting Judson booked for important television shows and on the covers of four magazines.

Later, the mailman delivers a pile of envelopes addressed to Judson. They all contain money kids made at sales to support Judson’s presidential run. The contributions are a little over $2,000, and Lane ends the chapter by proclaiming Judson is “becoming America’s hero” (86).

Chapter 16 Summary: “The Customer Is Always Right”

Over the next few days, donations to Judson’s campaign flood in. Lane organizes the money, hiring staff and ordering promotional materials. Chelsea decides to use her status as the First Lady to campaign for better conditions for silkworms, and Judson receives a puppy in the mail from an unknown sender.

One night, Judson’s dad talks to him before bed. His dad compares a candidate’s campaign to a box—both must be strong, easy to work with, and properly labeled. Judson asks what his dad would do if a customer loved a poorly made box, to which his dad says he’d sell the box. Judson is surprised because selling poorly made boxes doesn’t seem right. His dad corrects him, saying, “The customer is always right” (90), and if a customer ends up with a piece of junk, that’s their problem.

Chapters 15-16 Analysis

Chapter 15 continues the image of the presidential race as a show. Judson has made a splash as a 12-year-old candidate, so news outlets and magazines vie for his attention. They want to interview him or put his picture on their covers because he is a national sensation. Including him in their program or publication will increase their sales. The race is a show for Judson but also for anyone else who can benefit from its publicity. Lane’s proclamation that Judson is America’s hero builds on the show aspect of the campaign. After his lemonade stand, he inspired kids across the nation to have sales to raise money for him. Judson’s performance convinced people he was a worthy candidate for president, not because he possessed any knowledge or political know-how, but because he said what people (kids) wanted to hear. The “show” of his campaign results in donations as well as media appearances.

Judson’s conversation with his dad in Chapter 16 reveals that his parents, even if tired and a bit clueless, do pay attention to Judson. Judson’s dad uses a box as a metaphor for Judson’s campaign, and the points he makes hold true. A box must be strong, easy to work with, and labeled correctly, all things Judson had to do before entering the public eye. Lane built a strong foundation for the campaign. Judson’s easy-going and fun personality makes him a manageable candidate. He initially labeled himself an Independent for practical reasons but now heads the Lemonade Party.

Further, Judson’s dad says that even if a box doesn’t meet these criteria, he would sell it anyway because the customer is always right. Here, the box symbolizes the person who is eventually elected president, and the customer is the American people. Even if someone who isn’t fit for the position of president (such as Judson) is elected, the metaphorical sale is made. The president has been “bought” by the people, whether he’s the best choice (well made) or not. As buyers/voters, the people are responsible for who gets elected. They vote for who they want, making their choice the right choice simply because they want it. If they later decide they don’t like the candidate they chose, that’s their problem, not the president’s.