Lawn Boy

Each year I anxiously await the new list of Sunshine State books. This year’s lists feature many well-known authors who have had previous picks, including Gary Paulsen. Paulsen is a great author for young readers who love the outdoors, adventure, and strong young heroes. Lawn Boy is a bit of a departure from his usual style, though. It is short, light, and a bit silly. It also teaches a lot about finances and capitalism through the experiences of the main character.


Summary: When a twelve year old boy gets an old riding lawn mower for his birthday, it sets off a chain of events that makes this broke kid into a business owner, stock investor, and sponsor of a prize fighter. All without his parents even realizing just how far out of control everything has grown.

The chapter titles show the evolution of the protagonist’s business, from chapter 1: The Principals of Economic Expansion to chapter 14: Resource Utilization: Its Causes and Effects. The titles contain vocabulary that will make many young readers blink, but the content within each chapter explains its title well.

Themes:
Responsibility

Age Appropriateness:
Grades 4 and up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: mild