Fergus and Zeke are pet mice that live in Miss Maxwell’s class. Though the humans in the story don’t seem to notice, the mice like to join in with lessons and projects. This is the fifth early chapter book featuring this cast of characters.

Miss Maxwell talks to her class about the role of the president in the United States. She talks about presidency prerequisites, some of the early and more influential presidents, and asks her students what they think it takes to be an effective leader. The children (and mice) visit the school library to research the presidents and begin a project of their choosing. 

An interesting subplot includes Zeke acting as president of the mouse cage and bossing Fergus around. Eventually, Fergus tires of being mistreated and says, “You don’t get to be president just because you say so. And you weren’t acting like a president anyway. Presidents work hard and listen. They care about everyone’s ideas. You were not doing any of those things, Zeke.” Zeke apologizes, and the two work together to complete a project of their own.

It should also be noted that the children in the story ask their teacher why a woman has never been president. The teacher responds with a frank answer addressing the unequal distribution of rights in our nation’s history, including the rights of women, African American people, and Native people.

Highly recommended for libraries that serve an early elementary population.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta