I can't remember another children's book I've read recently that deals with the subject of corporate land development, so I almost feel like this book should be lauded for its originality in that department alone. However, I felt like the writing didn't always live up to this topic.

There were a lot of little things that did it for me: Mo's younger sister substituting words (which was cute at first but just became annoying and grating after awhile), the little details about the neighbors which were repeated and supposed to help us get to know them but didn't really, and the fact that a lot of the dialogue sounded so expository and unlike things a child would actually say. I can't pinpoint what they are but I felt like there were at least a couple of cringe-worthy, grossly unrealistic dialogue moments, particularly with Mo and Mercedes, with her explaining to her newly wealthy and relocated friend the importance of simple pleasures like getting pop and chips from the convenience store in their childhood home.

Some areas of the writing like that pulled me out of the story because they either seemed unbelievable, or like they were trying too hard to be believable. In the end, though, this is an interesting topic for kids covered with a lot of heart, albeit with a few cliches thrown in.