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Lawn Boy

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Perfect summer reading for reluctant readers.

updated 01.28.10

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    A clever, funny and fun introduction to economics.
  • Role models:

    An unnamed hero who learns a lot about making, spending and saving money, though he makes a few mistakes at first. 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A boxer roughs up some bad guys, and wins a boxing match with one punch.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Lawn Boy was written by Matt Berman

Parents need to know that there's not much to be concerned about here beyond a snippet of cartoon violence.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the economics of the story.
  • Could this really happen?
  • How does the boy make so much money so quickly?
  • What do those chapter titles mean?
  • How does the Stock Market really work?
Did this review help you decide?

Is it a keeper for your kids?

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More on Lawn Boy

Book Summary

A boy (not named) gets an old, used, riding lawnmower for his birthday from his eccentric grandmother. His next-door neighbor asks him to mow his lawn. He needs money to buy an inner tube for his bike, so he agrees. Soon he gets more customers. Soon he has more than he can handle.

One of his customers, an aging hippie day trader named Arnold, gives the boy advice on running his business, and invests his money for him. Soon the boy has more than a dozen employees, a wad of money, an interest in a prize fighter, and a problem with a protection racket. And all he wanted was an inner tube.

Is It Any Good?

It's hard to imagine a more perfect summer reading book -- it's a short, funny, delightfully absurd confection that secretly conveys some ideas worth thinking about. It might even inspire your kid to go out and try to earn some money. Veteran author Gary Paulsen gets right to the point, with no frills or unnecessary description, and readers will be grinning from the beginning to the all-too-soon end.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Random House, Publication date: 6/20/2007
Number of pages: 88, Price: $12.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 9, Read Alone: 10

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 1.0

    WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!!!!!!!

    If you are thinking of buying this book don't bother your wasting your time and if you bought it your wasting your money!!!!

  2. I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative role models

    lame and boring

    this book is so lame!!!!!!!!

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    Stock

    A boy is trying to earn some money and gets A LOT more then he bargained for. I think this book is good for kids 10+, especially boys. This book teaches about stock market, investing, and a small amount about (and it is a small amount) mowing lawns.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    i laughed

    I think the book was good my favorite part was when the boy said that his parents forgot what he looked like because he's been mowing so much that he barly gets home to eat wiith his own family at night

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    i loved this book very much

    i love it

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