Follow the Leader: Politics Isn't Just Child's Play

Gr 8 Up—This well-crafted documentary that premiered at both the Democratic and Republican conventions in 2012 follows three teenagers as they pursue their aspirations of eventually becoming President. The film tracks DJ, Ben, and Nick from age 16 through their first year at college. Each of the boys used his high school class presidency as a springboard to grassroots involvement in local, then regional, then state, and finally national campaigns. Initially, all the boys espoused conservative Republican Party views, but over the course of their experiences, one became a Democratic operative and the third switched to an independent status. Cameras follow the teens as they amass a variety of experiences and talents through their first year of college when the real world causes all three to detour into other career paths. The program's producer has included a rich variety of video, photographs, cameo appearances by a number of political figures including Hillary Clinton, and no shortage of commentary by the three young men as they move through their political undertakings. Chapter selection is optional. This film has value for young people both in and out of classroom settings. In addition to the obvious backstage look at how campaigns operate and various manners in which teenagers might contribute, there is the larger focus of the relationship between high school interests in a particular career and how those often can transform.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL