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In Lawn Boy Returns, Gary Paulsen continues the amazing story of Lawn Boy, the twelve-year-old entrepreneur who makes a fortune by mowing lawns, making smart investments, and sponsoring a local boxer.
Even with friends coming home from summer vacation, the narrator becomes more entrenched in his business enterprise. Advised by his business manager/stock advisor, Arnold, he hires an entire business staff. Meanwhile, more and more people - especially a supposed cousin, Zed - want to horn in on Lawn Boy’s enterprises.
With his mother and father out of town, Grandma takes a humorous lead role, especially when she becomes personally involved with the boxer, Joey Pow. Economics and humor combine to make this novel an appealing choice for young readers, depicting capitalism at its most optimistic.
Best read after Lawn Boy, this book’s entertaining dialog and short chapters keep the reader going with quick twists and turns of the plot. Complex chapter titles such as “The Detrimental Influence of Fame and the Loss of Privacy as a Result of Prosperity” and economic verbiage go over the heads of younger readers, but the fun and childish humor make this a perfect choice for middle-grade students looking for a short, entertaining summer read.
In the end, Lawn Boy keeps his head and priorities straight and is ready to concentrate on just being a kid again.
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Lawn Boy Returns