Title: How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five
Author: Carla Fitzgerald
Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP
Publication date: 2 August 2022
Themes: Action, courage, democracy, friendship, resilience, sisters,
Additional notable information: Teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the UQP website here
How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald immerses the reader into eleven-year-old Harper’s life, a life that was not of her, or her family’s choosing as her dad is suddenly and sensationally thrust into the top job as Prime Minster of Australia. With this position, their life is transformed as they move to Kirribilli House. Harper and her younger sister, Lottie, are now accompanied to their new school, Oceanview College for Ladies and Gentlemen, by two federal police officers. Dev, her dad’s chief of staff, is always with their family briefing Harper’s dad, informing him and getting him to sign documents. Cerise, the overbearing Prime Ministerial Nanny, is never far away ensuring Harper and Lottie not only look the part of being the PM’s daughter’s but also act the part. All these changes, prying eyes, constant demands, countless decisions and meetings are a massive undertaking. Deputy Saunders who feels robbed of the top job has a score to settle and is merciless and unscrupulous in his dealings with Harper’s dad. It doesn’t take long for Harper’s dad and the family to be viewed as a laughingstock and with this, the new PM disappears to a “conference” one week before the Annual Party Meeting. This is a story about believing in yourself, governing with compassion and using your strengths to make a difference. The reader will feel Harper’s highs and lows, doubts, fears and triumphs that come with change and responsibility. They will be buoyed by the unbreakable bond that Harper and her sister share.
In his haste to leave Kirribilli House, Harper’s dad leaves his mobile phone behind. The mobile phone of a PM is one that can not be ignored for any length of time with a constant stream of questions and directions that need to be attended to. With her Mum away, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She feels she has no choice but to protect her dad and come up with the plan of informing all his staff that he has a very serious and contagious illness. Together with her sister Lottie, they reply to all of the text messages as their dad.
What starts as a quick decision to respond to one text question snowballs as decisions must be made, demands intensify as the PM’s mystery illness lingers and answers need to be given to Dev about the PM’s policy announcement that is to be unveiled at the Annual Party Meeting.
The weight of responsibility rests on Harper and Lottie’s shoulders as they grapple with formulating a policy. Both girls agree on the importance of the environment, but Harper’s new friend Theo points out the importance of having fun. Maybe the sisters should formulate a policy with longer weekends.
Just as the conundrum of formulating a policy seems impossible, the answers present in the most timely and powerful way.
This story is served with a big dollop of humour and a whole lot of heart. It takes the reader on a journey with all the twists and turns that come with leaning into new challenges; the fears, the doubts and the courage to follow your heart. With this comes life lessons and realisations about the power within each of us. The power that is often revealed when doing what was once considered seemingly impossible with conviction and determination.