Class Action by Steven B. Frank (review)

Homework is the worst, and sixth-grader Sam Warren aims to prove it even if he has to go all the way to the Supreme Court. Realizing that the hours he spends on dioramas, math problems, and his dreaded California Missions project has taken away his childhood and fractured his relationships, Sam wants legal action. With the help of his big sis, a curmudgeonly retired attorney, and a bunch of friends old and new, Sam pulls together a suit for the highest court in the land. The bona fides of their case—simultaneously questioning whether children are due the same protections under the law as adults and suggesting that the abundance of homework is just a symptom of larger problems within the American education system—result in a surprisingly compelling legal drama the likes of a pint-sized Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Even as the narration meanders at times, the invocation of legal precedent, notable education reforms, and America's rich history of social justice protest make for a clever story with proceedings are delivered effectively through "official" court transcripts. The book closes with a glossary of legal terms, an appendix of cases mentioned throughout, and a lot of inspiration for a new generation of political engagement. WJ