Lawn Boy

12 year-old turns business man, stockholder, and prize-fighter-sponsor in this short read. A capitalism love-story.

Genre: children's novel ( )

When his grandmother gives him an old riding lawnmower for his birthday, the narrator-- known to the reader only as Lawnboy-- soon finds himself the boss of a lawn care business that grows faster than he ever could imagine.

This plot-focused book is a quick read, with very little time spent on character development. While it might not contribute to much discussion in an English class, the basics of economics are well-integrated into the story, making it a good resource for an elementary introduction to the subject. There is little conflict in the story, making it a good choice for young readers who dislike tension. However, the lack of any negative consequences for somewhat questionable actions give the book an uneven feel.

Recommended for use as an economic education resource, but not as a novel. ( )

Summary: Lawn Boy is the story of a young boy who receives an old riding lawn mower for his 12th birthday from his grandmother. He is trying out the lawn mower on his own lawn when one of his neighbors sees him mowing and asks him if he could mow his lawn. Another neighbor sees the boy mowing a lawn and asks him to mow his lawn, and one neighbor leads to another and another where the boy is mowing lawns and earning money. Before long he has more than he can handle and Arnold steps into the picture. Arnold knows of a man who would be willing to help. As the business blossoms, he has to get more help, and before long has 15 people working for him. Arnold is handling all the financials of the business and invests some of the money in stocks. Before long the boy’s investments are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. He also finds himself the sponsor of a professional boxer, who ends up being able to keep the bullies away.

Personal reaction: Several years ago GaryPaulsen was a luncheon speaker at the Oklahoma Library Association Annual Conference. Lawn Boy had been selected as the Children’s Sequoyah winner. I have wanted to read this book ever since, and very much enjoyed reading the adventures the boy goes through. He was looking for ways to get a little money so he could get an inner tube for his bicycle and ends up with more money that he knows what to do with.

Classroom extension: 1. I would use this book in a lesson about economics. The students could do a project about what they could do to earn money. 2. This book could also be used in a lesson about finance and stocks. The student could look at the stock market and determine which stocks might be good investments or bad investments. ( )

RGG: Humorous story about a young boy's money making efforts. Reading Level: 10-12.

My daughter had to read this book at school last year. It was one book she really enjoyed!! The great thing about it is that children learn about serious things like money, budgets, business and summer jobs. Although a little unrealistic regarding the fortune Lawn Boy made in such a short time, my daughter thought it was nice because she could relate to the main character being her age, and it made her think of new ways of making money. She even ordered Lawn Boy Returns after she finished the first one!! When my daughter gets so involved in a book, I am always curious to find out the reason!! ( )