Paulsen, Gary.
LAWN BOY
New York : Wendy Lamb, 2007
IL YA
ISBN 0385746865

(2 booktalks)

What would an average boy want for his 12th birthday?  Well, this one gets an old riding lawnmower from his grandmother.  It had belonged to his grandfather and is old but works.  And now he has a job mowing lawns.  Actually, he has lots of jobs mowing lawns.  Each job brings more offers.  He can't possibly keep up with all the work.  When aging hippie Arnold offers to barter for lawn care, things change dramatically.  Arnold is a day trader and agrees to invest in the stock market in lieu of payment.  And then helps expand the lawn business.

Booktalk #2

One day you are 12 years old, broke and wondering where you are going to get the money to buy an inner tube for your 10-speed bike.  Now you have your own business, employees and you are rich, VERY rich.  And it all started with your grandpa’s old used riding lawnmower that your grandma gave you for your 12th birthday.  With help from a neighbor, who is a stockbroker, Duane learns about capitalism, the laws of supply and demand plus how to be a sponsor for a heavyweight boxer.  Anybody need a little extra money?   (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2008-2009)