Lawn Boy

Paulsen, Gary. 2007. LAWN BOY. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780385746861 [Suggested Grade Levels 4 – 7]

REVIEW
“One minute I was twelve years old and wondering where I could get enough money for an inner tube for my old used ten-speed… The next minute… I’ve got a business of my own, with employees and I’m rich.” So begins the madcap tale of a summer job that grows into an increasingly complex business venture complete with employees, cash flow, capital gains, hostile take over attempts, and stock trading. Soon the unnamed narrator has acquired other businesses including a prize fighter. Paulsen creates a complex plot in a slim volume with short chapters and sparkling dialogue. Adding to the wryness of the tale are the chapter titles which appear to be lifted from a business school textbook. They include “Overutilization of Labor Compounded by Unprecidented Capital Growth,” and “Economic Expansion Combined with Portfolio Diversification.”

CONNECTIONS
Begin a discussion on entrepreneurship and starting a business. What kind of plan would one need to begin a business? What skills would be useful? Visit the Junior Achievement Web Site for useful materials at www.ja.org

RELATED BOOKS
Other books about kids earning money:
Bochner, Arthur. THE NEW TOTALLY AWESOME BUSINESS BOOK FOR
KIDS. 3rd ed. ISBN 9781557047571
Merrill, Jean. THE TOOTHPASTE MILLIONAIRE. ISBN 9780618759255
Ranic, Bill, with Karen Soenen. BEYOND THE LEMONADE STAND: STARTING
SMALL TO MAKE IT BIG. ISBN 9781595141118


By Jane H. Claes