The Prime Minister Problem

The Prime Minister Problem by Brenton Cullen (Riveted Press) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781764256728

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

With crisp, clear writing and a gentle story, Brenton Cullen tells of ten-year-old Wren, a thoughtful, quiet boy who feels so alone in his school community that it’s almost as if he is invisible. Mum is juggling two jobs, his brother has his own life, and at school, Wren hides in the library reading books his grandmother taught him to love. Grandma is the only person who truly sees him — until she has two strokes and is moved to a nursing home. The home is in the city, two hours away, because there isn’t one locally. Wren asks himself, ‘Who will be my friend now Gran is gone?’

Lonelier than ever, Wren writes to the Prime Minister for help, convinced she will be helpful. When no reply comes, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He and a new girl – Tamara – who has befriended him, take up the idea of children ‘adopting’ local grandparents. Wren also launches a (very successful) crowdfunding campaign to renovate an abandoned house into a community centre and nursing home. Overnight, he becomes a media and social media star.

As his town rallies around him, Wren discovers he isn’t the only one who feels forgotten — and that real change doesn’t come from politicians, but from the people who call the town home. He also befriends a grumpy, lonely old man, ironically called Mr Bright, whose house is renovated for the centre.

Throughout the book, the author astutely explores Wren’s thoughts and emotions as he navigates problems in the boy's life. Cullen’s sentences are always polished: he masters simple language, and his characters are so three-dimensional that the reader relates to each of them.

At its heart, The Prime Minister Problem is a story about loneliness, intergenerational connection, and the quiet power of shy kids. It explores how one small voice can spark change and how communities can come together to make a difference. It’s touching and emotional, but also funny, hopeful, and uplifting.

Written for readers aged 8–12 years, it’s a book for kids and adults alike who love stories that linger in the heart and leave you with happy tears. A debut middle-grade novel, it is highly recommended.