Lawn Boy
by Gary Paulsen
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Book Reviews of Lawn Boy
Book Review: Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Summary: 4 Stars
LAWN BOY provides some quick entertainment. It's a very manageable read at less than 90 pages. Readers are treated to quite a few laughs and a little business education.
The main character is a 12-year-old boy. His grandmother gives him a riding lawn mower for his birthday. She says it was his late grandfather's mower. Miracle of all miracles, the thing actually works, and he sets about mowing their pitiful excuse for a yard.
When he finishes the yard, a neighbor wonders if he can get his own lawn mowed. Soon he's mowing for the whole neighborhood. In a few short days, he has over three hundred dollars stuffed in his pockets.
Arnold, a stay-at-home stockbroker, would like his lawn mowed; but he admits to being short on cash. He offers a deal -- mow his lawn and he'll invest the cost of the mowing in the stock market and hopefully increase the investment. Boy, does he!
Before he knows it, he has a growing business and more money than he can even imagine. He has a stock portfolio that would be the envy of any businessperson. And just think, his only dream at the start of the summer was to have enough to afford a new inner tube for his bike tire.
The problem now is how do you break it to your parents that in five short weeks you have tons of money? Will they believe you?
Gary Paulsen has done it yet again. His die-hard fans will like the story, and reluctant readers will find it a quick and satisfying read. It's also a terrific read-aloud that will have them laughing and teach them a little about capitalism in the bargain.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Book Review: Stock Market Concepts in a Story!
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this book together with my 9 year old who is an advanced reader. I don't know if he really absorbed what was actually happening when the stock grew and eventually split, but he did understand the boy was making money in stocks and was exposed to new financial terms, which is a good start.
A short paragraph about the previous lawn mower in the neighborhood (evidently not a child) running off with the wife of one of his customers was unnecessary. I would have preferred this idea not be introduced and I read past it without drawing attention to it.
When it comes to money, emotions are always involved. The boy continually frets about telling his parents how much money he's earned because he worries his parents will feel bad and he will be bragging. His emotions also play a role in sacrificing summer vacation and fun when working to make a profit. There is a fair amount of humor through out the book and characters are added slowly making it easier for children to distinguish and remember who is who. My son was definitely looking forward to reading the next chapter each night.
Woven into the story are the concepts of shares of stock, a stockbroker, fees, commissions, partnerships, employees, competition, and more. When you are looking for something entertaining to begin teaching your child about finances, try this engaging book.
Book Review: Book Review: Lawn Boy
Summary: 4 Stars
My first real summer job was working at a fudge shop in Northern Michigan. I scooped some ice cream, rolled some waffle cones, earned minimum wage and was thrilled. The unnamed narrator in "Lawn Boy" happens upon a similarly ordinary summer gig: mowing lawns. The whirlwind of events that follow in Gary Paulsen's latest probably make Lawn Boy wish he could be carefree and elbow deep in some butter pecan.
The story begins as our hero inherits a riding lawn mower from his grandmother - pretty unassuming stuff, right? A neighbor inquires about the cost of getting his lawn cut, and that is how it all begins. There is a lot of business to be had. Before he knows it, lawn boy is hiring employees and investing his money with the help of a neighbor/hippy/stockbroker named Arnold. Soon thereafter Prizefighter Joey Pow enters the mix, and things really start to get interesting. Mo' money, mo' problems. When the dust settles, Lawn Boy realizes that his summer job was a valuable experience in more ways than one.
This title wears the "fast, entertaining read" badge proudly. Paulsen keeps the action moving while introducing youngsters to some basic financial principles. Where I'm from (London, circa 1910), this is also called the "spoonful of sugar technique". A quality fiction selection. Readers should enjoy this almost as much as a double waffle cone.
Book Review: Lawn Boy
Summary: 4 Stars
Imagine being very poor and your grandpa just died, and for your 12th birthday your grandma gave you your grandpa's lawn mower. You don't have any grass but you go out and cut it just for the fun of it. Your neighbor sees you and and pays you $40 to cut his grass. Before you know it you have a business and you are sponsoring a boxer.
In the book Lawn Boy a 12 year old poor boy gets a lawn mower from his grandma for his 12th birthday. The lawn mower was his grandpas who just died. His lawn is brown, crunchy, and hard but that dosen't stop him from from riding his mower around his lawn.
While he was mowing his lawn his neighbor sees him and says" I'll pay you $40 to cut my lawn." Before he knows it he has a business and is sponsering a boxer named Joseph Powdermilk. He dosen't like that name for a boxer so he say's " How about we call you Earthquake?" Joseph doesn't like that but thinks of a name for him self, Joey Pow.
Lawn Boy is a very good, but quick read. This is a book for people who like short books that keep you up all night. If you don't under- stand bank loans and stocks then I would not recommend this book for you, but if you really wanted to read it you will make it through. Lawn Boy is a very good book and you
Book Review: Buy for Entertainment, Not Education
Summary: 3 Stars
I was excited to order this book for my 12 year-old son as I attempt to encourage his entrepreneurial skills. I was hopeful that the book would be engaging and educational (In the back of my mind I had "The Goal" -- a novel used by many business schools to teach business concepts). This book started out strong and did introduce a few concepts in a pretty clear manner. However, I felt the ending was lacking. The conclusion was completely unrealistic and, if one of the goals of the book was to teach, the ending may have cost credibility throughout as it really missed the mark. I do give the book credit for being engaging. It is an easy read. However, the book sparked no conversation from my son--I didn't see him running out to start a business. The motivation that I had hoped for didn't come. Buy it for entertainment, not for motivation or education.