Lunch Money

Lunch Money is a witty middle-grade tale about Greg Kenton, a would-be entrepreneur who loves money, clever schemes, and a rival named Maura Shaw. Written for readers ages 8–12, it blends humor with heart as competition gives way to collaboration, delivering an adventurous, uplifting read that rewards ingenuity and friendship. In Lunch Money, the book moves quickly through Greg's inventive schemes and Maura's surprisingly talented minibooks, with Andrew Clements's crisp narration and brisk pacing guiding the ride. Brian Selznick's illustrations punctuate the action and give the characters warmth, making the rival-turned-partners feel real and relatable. Readers will appreciate the book's approachable structure: short chapters, witty dialogue, and playful scenes that nudge readers to think about business ethics and teamwork without heavy-handed lessons. The story treats competition as a spark for creativity, and when Greg and Maura join forces to challenge the ban on selling their comics, it becomes a warm lesson in collaboration, resilience, and valuing others' ideas. Key content elements: Greg's entrepreneurial drive, Maura's minibooks, the Chunky Comics universe, and a school setting that brings their rivalry to life Interactive or standout features: witty dialogue, fast-paced scenes, and engaging illustrations by Brian Selznick Learning outcomes or experiences: entrepreneurship, collaboration, resilience, and ethical competition Writing or illustration style: accessible, humorous, and fast-moving with vivid character voices After finishing Lunch Money, readers gain a sense of possibility: that clever ideas can be paired with teamwork to achieve something bigger than any one plan. They’ll feel energized to cheer for friendship over rivalry and to imagine their own ideas growing with kindness and collaboration.