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January 6, 2008 by Travis Jonker

Book Review: Lawn Boy

January 6, 2008 by Travis Jonker   10 comments

Lawn Boy
By Gary Paulsen
Wendy Lamb Books
ISBN 9780385746861
$12.99
Grades 4-7
In Stores

*Recommended*

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

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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.

Also Reviewed By: Kids Lit.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat

Filed under: *Best New Books*, Reviews

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Breeni Books says

    January 6, 2008 at 6:01 pm

    I love this cover! It’s been a while since I’ve read any Gary Paulsen, but it sounds like this book has a good message.

    Great review!

  2. Scope Notes says

    January 6, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    Thanks for reading! As you can tell, I enjoyed “Lawn Boy” quite a bit – an entertaining read.

  3. karry says

    November 5, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    like need that book

  4. *kiimz* says

    January 11, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    i luved diz book better than rules gosh that book wuz stupid! i luv diz book ily

  5. brandin says

    June 7, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    i need quotes? please

    • Jake says

      October 10, 2010 at 2:39 pm

      “i have no problem beating you down” quotes from the book lawn boy rock is talking to arnold

  6. dylan says

    December 20, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    thanks for the review u helped me a lot

  7. Jose Pacheco says

    October 14, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    This was a perfect book for me when i was a young kid, at fiest i didnt inderstand the meaning about Working and profits but after i was done with this book i understood it better!!!!!!!
    Jose

  8. cloe says

    January 7, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    i hated this book! whoever likes it, well, u hav bad opinions

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    March 4, 2014 at 6:55 pm

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    continue your great job, have a nice weekend!

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