Lawn Boy - by Gary Paulsen (Paperback)

About the Book

When a 12-year-old boy revs up his grandparents' old riding lawnmower, he quickly learns about the beauty of capitalism, in this latest novel by the acclaimed author of "The Legend of Bass Reeves" and "The Time Hackers."

Book Synopsis

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 profits, which Arnold invested in many things. And one of them was Joey Pow the prizefighter. That's when my 12th summer got really interesting.

Review Quotes

Starred review, Booklist, April 15, 2007:
"[A] short and hilarious tale . . . When it comes to telling funny stories about boys, no one surpasses Paulsen, and here he is in top form."

"Paulsen has mastered the very hard trick of sounding exactly like a twelveyear- old without being either cute or condescending."
--The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, His most recent books are The Legend of Bass Reeves, Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day, The Time Hackers, and The Amazing Life of Birds. He lives in New Mexico and Alaska.