56. Lawn Boy - Gary Paulsen

For: Middle Grades (9-12)
Wendy Lamb Bks/Random House, 2007
HC $12.99
90 pgs.
Rating: 4.5

A very funny book, especially for a budding economist/ entrepreneur/ investor/ or wanna-be rich kid. Told in the first person from the point-of-view of a nameless 12 year-old, we see how an innocent old riding lawnmower, bestowed to him by his grandma, takes over his summer and turns him into an unwitting "thousandaire." But there are some delicious twists and turns along the way including some interestingly devoloped characters and sidekicks.

There are some parts of this easy-to-read short novel that might be difficult for kids too young - undocumented migrant workers, investment lingo, and chapter titles like "Labor Acquisition and Its Effect on Capital Growth" and "Businesss and the Art of Creative Misrepresentation" - which I must admit had me rolling in laughter, 'cause I did get it.....

As an adult I loved this story. I'll try it out on one or two fourth graders and see if they "get" it.

43. The Amazing Life of Birds - Gary Paulsen

The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech
For: Middle School
Pub: 2006
96 pgs.
Rating: 3.5/5
Finished Aug. 31, 2008

I laughed, snickered, and guffawed my way through this book.

Ah, so humiliating to be twelve. Zits (appearing, disappearing, moving from one place to another on your face) - cowlikcks (when you try to cut it off, the resulting bald spot starts a rumor that you have ringworm and the whole school is tested before a ringworm epidemic can break out) - falling over - tripping over shoelaces...many times, and usually in the lunch line (and involving getting covered with various horrible lunch items) - knocking over library shelves (!!) which results in urine testing for drug use - jamming fingers in yoru locker - getting knocked into, knocked flat, and knocked senseless playing volleyball in gym class - need I go on? Even his name, Duane Homer Leech, christened DooDoo by friends early in life, is a thorn in his side.

Throughout it all, through his bedroom window, Duane watches a newborn bird being fed and nurtured, starting out helpless and ugly, slowly getting feathers and fuzz, then learning to fly, more or less coinciding with his own journey through the beginning of puberty. Thus the title of the book. Wish they'd chosen another title, however. I don't think this one works...at least not for me. (I also noticed that the paperback version is subtitled his 19-day puberty journal instead of 20-days. Wonder what gives?)

Dedication: "To my son James, in gratitude. Having missed my own puberty, because I lived through it, watching you go through yours provided a wealth of research material. Thank you."

I loved it. But would kids? I'm going to have to nab a copy for the classroom and try it out on some of the middle school boys.