This is a book report on Lunch Money written by Andrew Clement, illustrated by Brian Selznick Simon and Schuster. The book is about a sixth grader who is obsessed with making money. The main character in the book is twelve-year-old boy who realizes that school is s good place to make money. He has made money mowing lawns, washing cars and even loaning money to his brother and charging interest (Clement 12). By the end of fifth grade, he discovers that he has saved $5,000 in his bank account. He soon realizes that students have extra money for lunch and he decides to sell candy and toys to them. The principal bans these sales, so Greg starts making and selling miniature comic books instead. Her long time rival and neighbor Maura starts making and selling her own small books at school. This time again, the principle bans the sale of their books, Greg and Maura come together to face the principle in order to find a means of earning for themselves and the school.
The main character in the book is a white male kid who is undergoing junior education. Greg presents himself as someone who is very sensitive to feelings of other people. This is evident when his classmates begin to tease him about having a relationship with Maura and he starts avoiding her. Greg later apologizes and tells her that she can work for his comic business and assist her in improving her comics. The character is presented as someone with occasional humor and smatter than most other characters. The second major character in the book is Maura Shaw; a girl whom she soon finds out is copying his idea. An argument about this culminates into an accident in which Maura slaps him in the face. There is a conflict between the two characters, Greg and Maura. They later became friends and decide to work together on their comic book business.
The setting of the novel is in a small town in the United States. Greg always had a natural talent to make money. While in fifth grade, his environment enables him to realize an opportunity that every kid at school had savings to spend daily (Clement 188). He responds to this by making toys that kids could buy but the school is against this and the principal prohibits it. As known by everyone, the school environment encourages creativity, reading, and writing. This led to success of Greg’s chunky little comic since he was with the right people to help him succeed including his math teacher.
The theme of the book is about hard work and success. Greg is industrious and learns to view things from different perspectives. Success in business only comes from determination, hard work, innovation, and partnerships. Lunch Money revolves around the extra money kids have at school. Much of the action in the novel takes place in the school cafeteria, which could be the reason why the author chose the title.
Greg’s principle, Mr. Davenport does not like comic stories and prohibits bringing and selling comic books in school. Greg’s arch rival, Maura realizes that it is only the School Committee that has the power to accept or reject ideas for the school. The two bands together with the help of their math teacher, Mr. Zenotopoulas at the School Committee panel where they manage to win an approval from for their comic book club. Their comic books eventually become a big hit in the domestic market as well as international distribution on eBay.
Work Cited:
Clements, Andrew. Lunch Money. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012. Print.
