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At the start of this witty, quick-moving tale from the Newbery author, a 12-year-old receives an unexpected birthday present from his grandmother: his late grandfather's riding lawn mower. Since his family's lawn is postage-stamp size with grass that "never seemed to grow enough to need mowing," he's initially unsure what to do with the machine. But he soon realizes that he can earn money mowing neighbors' lawns-perhaps even enough to buy a new inner tube for his bike. As the young entrepreneur's lawn-mowing business booms, he sees green in more ways than one, making enough money to buy countless inner tubes and learning a lesson about capitalism and investing. His teacher, a colorful ex-hippie named Arnold, is a down-on-his-luck stockbroker who brokers a barter deal with the lad, offering to invest his earnings for him in exchange for grass-cutting services. Repeatedly remarking how "groovy" Lawn Boy's success is, Arnold instructs his young pal in the rules of the business road, humorously reflected in Paulsen's chapter titles (such as "Capital Growth Coupled with the Principles of Production Expansion" and "Conflict Resolution and Its Effects on Economic Policy"). Adding further wry dimension to the plot are a tough-talking thug who threatens to take over the kid's business, the prize fighter whom Arnold (through another investment) arranges for Lawn Boy to sponsor, and the boy's delightfully-and deceptively-dotty grandmother, who gets the novel's sage last line: "You know, dear, Grandpa always said, take care of your tools and they'll take care of you." Readers will find this madcap story a wise investment of their time. Ages 10-up. (June)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
Gary Paulsen is one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers. He has written more than one hundred book for adults and young readers, and is the author of three Newbery Honor titles: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He divides his time among Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.
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.
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Posted September 2, 2009
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.
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Posted August 30, 2009
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.
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Posted May 27, 2009
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.
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Posted April 26, 2009
This is a good book for young readers.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 21, 2011
This is a really good short book (around 200 pg.) That's about a boy who wants to make enough money to buy an innertube for his boat, but ends up as the C.E.O of a large lawn care company.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 12, 2011
hi pplz
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 11, 2008
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.
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Posted February 14, 2008
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.
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Posted January 17, 2008
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.
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Posted October 23, 2007
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.
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Posted February 9, 2012
Great book to read, can be confusing.
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Posted January 29, 2012
How can anyone like this horrible book!!!!!!!
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Posted January 27, 2012
WOW THIS IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK THE CHARACTERS ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!
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Posted January 25, 2012
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
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Posted January 5, 2012
A fun and amusing book it will keep you laughing! Read lawnboy returns!!!
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Posted December 26, 2011
You will love it for all the lafter and learning
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Posted December 20, 2011
A good educational read for all ages.
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Posted September 17, 2011
! )
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 7, 2011
Should i get this book or what, people!? Or i am i buying a bag of junk if i buy this book? By the way, im 9
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Overview
One day I was 12 years old and broke. Then Grandma gave me Grandpa's old riding lawnmower. I set out to mow some lawns. More people wanted me to mow their lawns. And more and more. . . . One client was Arnold the stockbroker, who offered to teach me about "the beauty of capitalism. Supply and Demand. Diversify labor. Distribute the wealth." "Wealth?" I said. "It's groovy, man," said Arnold.If I'd known what was coming, I might have climbed on my mower and putted all the way home to hide in my room. But the lawn business grew and grew. So did my ...