Lawn Boy

Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

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.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

BN Lawn Boy (Paperback) & ITunes Lawn Boy Audiobook-MP3 by Gary Paulsen

Economics is theme topic for this book. Excellent idea to promote savings & investments w/children. Outstanding money-management story for children and adults.

On recent road trip, used both BN Lawn Boy (Paperback) w/Lawn Boy I-Tunes Audiobook-MP3 for 7th grade female student passenger.

Although initially resistant priding herself on ability to read alone, she became quickly absorbed with audio/visual following along w/BN (Paperback) while listening to Audiobook on IPod w/car stereo speakers. As driver, I was able to listen to Audiobook while driving.

A tribute to Lawn Boy was capturing our interest w/characters and story. Although we didn't finish the book together on trip, 7th grade student stuffed the paperback in her new Hollister tote bag and finished reading the book alone at grandma's house. I finished listening to the Audiobook on IPod.

Recommendations: BN Lawn Boy (Paperback) & Lawn Boy Audiobook-MP3

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The best book ever!

The book, Lawn Boy, by Gary Paulsen begins when a boy gets a lawn mower for his 12th birthday. One lawn leads to another and before he knew it he had his own lawn business. He teams up with others to expand his business. He even enlists a stock broker named Arnold who helps him find new riches other than mowing lawns. Before he knows it he is sponsoring a prize fighter who will bring more riches to the boy and his family. This boy really knows how to turn piles of grass into a mound of cash. He learns the real value of his grandfathers words: "take care of your tools and they will take care of you".
A great book with great lessons. I recommend this book to any kid who has ever dreamed of starting their own business.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great Fast Read

Fast-paced, easy read, full of voice with great characterization. This would be a neat book to read with a class when teaching about economics or just for fun - maybe on those last few days of school before summer break.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good book for young readers.

This is a good book for young readers.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Interesting Read

One day a twelve year old boy gets a lawn mower from his grandmother for his birthday. It belonged to his grandfather who said ¿take care of your tools and they will take care of you.¿ Little did he know what that would entail. He begins mowing lawns within his neighborhood and then before he realizes it, his business has expanded. He meets Arnold, a stockbroker, who then becomes not only his business investor, but a friend as well. In the end, not only does he sponsor a prize-fighter, have a stockbroker, employed several people in his ever expanding business, have close to five-hundred thousand dollars, and the summer isn¿t over! Gary Paulsen¿s story has many entrepreneurship lessons to be learned in this suspenseful and entertaining book. I highly recommend this for kids ages 9-13.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A good book

A summer job is something that is getting you 50 dollars or less but not for this kid. Gary Paulsen¿s heartwarming and hilarious new book Lawn Boy is about a determined, hard working kid who lives in a poor family without much money. When he gets his grandfather¿s old lawn mower on his 12th birthday, he starts a summer job to make some money. Suddenly he is getting much more money than he thought would, and starts a business with a neighbor. When people resort to violence to stop the business it looks like it is the last of it, or is it¿ This book is a great for realistic fiction book lovers people that like funny books, and fans of Gray Paulsen¿s books. This book is definitely another well-written book from the award-winning author Gary Paulsen.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

a great book for 12 year old lawn mowers

The Lawn Boy is a great book about how a 12 year old boy, who mows a few lawns for the summer, and turns into a multi-millionaire. With the help of a stockbroker named Arnold, the Lawn Boy builds a huge lawn mowing business. He gets workers and even sponsors a pro boxer. I would recommend this 188 page book for students from ages of 9 to 14. I give this hilarious book, two thumbs up. So if you¿re between the ages of 9 and 14, or even a little older or younger, you should get this book By jacob

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

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'

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing

It can be a bit confusing if you dont understand stock and gross income (that is me!) But that adds to the plot because lawn boy is 12 and has no clue about these things either!!!!! other then that......AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awsome!$$$#1*25

THOUght boring at first but gets good

Amazing

I enjoyed every page. My son kept reading it at least once a month.

Lawn Boy for book-clubs

I read this book for book clubs at school.
I think I might just be saying that Lawn Boy and Lawn boy Returns were pretty awesome because I love Garry Paulsen's work. These books deserve two thumbs up or five stars.
THREE CHEERS FOR PAULSEN!

Cool book!!!

It is cool how he makes money in the book.

Great book

Great book to read, can be confusing.

Bad

How can anyone like this horrible book!!!!!!!

AMAZING!!!!!

WOW THIS IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK THE CHARACTERS ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!

Good

It was good but to short they should have made it longer like what he will do n the future and how rich he isand if hengets anynmoresponsors

Never ending fun

You will love it for all the lafter and learning

Bravo Mr. Paulsen!!!

A good educational read for all ages.