The Prime Minister Problem (Brenton Cullen, Riveted)

Brenton Cullen’s debut middle-grade novel, The Prime Minister Problem, is a tender story about loneliness and community, an ode to the power one person can have to spark change, and the strength found in collective action. The novel follows Wren, an introverted 10-year-old who struggles to express himself and walks on eggshells to keep those around him happy. When assigned a class project to contact the prime minister with an issue, Wren can’t decide which issue is most pressing. Everything changes when his grandmother suffers a stroke and must move to the city for care. Desperate, Wren writes to the prime minister for help. When his letters go unanswered, he starts a movement to reunite with his grandmother and help other lonely people in his community. Bursting with heart, the novel’s short, punchy sentences land with impact in emotional moments, while the message that intergenerational relationships can help drive meaningful change is powerful. However, gaps in characterisation occasionally distract from the narrative, and Grandma’s return at the end feels rushed and secondary to other events. Wren is a strong, loving and compassionate character whose confidence grows throughout the novel. Age-appropriate portrayals of Wren’s anxiety – especially the effective use of repetition – capture his emotional landscape with clarity, making his feelings immediate and authentic. The Prime Minister Problem will appeal to readers aged 8 to 12 who enjoyed Ross Curnow’s Oscar vs The Grand Old Dude Named York and Deborah Abela’s The Kindness Project.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Sophie Helfgott is a teacher librarian and a judge for the 2025 and 2026 CBCA Book of the Year awards in the younger readers category. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews