The Kid Who Ran for President

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).

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.