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Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire
Finding a million dollars in your backyard - every kid's dream, right? That's what me and my best friend Toby thought too.
Jumping castles at school. Lollipops for our adoring fans. Wearing sunglasses indoors ('cos that's what all the millionaires do).
There's a lot you can get with a million dollars . . . including a whole lot of trouble.
BONUS TIPS ON HOW TO BE A SCHOOLYARD MILLIONAIRE INSIDE!
Jumping castles at school. Lollipops for our adoring fans. Wearing sunglasses indoors ('cos that's what all the millionaires do).
There's a lot you can get with a million dollars . . . including a whole lot of trouble.
BONUS TIPS ON HOW TO BE A SCHOOLYARD MILLIONAIRE INSIDE!
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
288 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2019
8 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 15, 2019
My 10yr old son had a torch reading under his bed covers last night to finish this! He said it’s “better than Nevermoor” and “makes your tummy go SMOOGSH”!! (that’s a good thing!) Highly suspenseful, entertaining and the ultimate page-turner. His little brother is starting it tonight. Well done Ms Amoore - you’ve got a houseful of new fans who can’t wait for your next one.
March 23, 2022
I love this story. It works wonderfully well. Narrator is full of life and the story moves apace. I wish I had children of the right age to send to as a present. Do try it.
September 9, 2019
I enjoyed Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire by Nat Amoore. It tells the story of Tess and her best friend Toby who discover a million dollars in Tess' backyard. The two budding entrepreneurs find it's hard for kids to spend large amounts of money, even if they have good intentions.
The relationship between Tess and Toby is central to the premise of the novel that your people are ultimately all you need. The cast of characters are well-drawn and defined with even the pets having very distinct personalities.
I can see why this book was recommended to me as a great example of Australian middle-grade fiction in the novel writing course I undertook this year.
Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is a fast-paced, entertaining and surprisingly strong story about family, friends, standing up to bullies and attempting to spend a million dollars.
The relationship between Tess and Toby is central to the premise of the novel that your people are ultimately all you need. The cast of characters are well-drawn and defined with even the pets having very distinct personalities.
I can see why this book was recommended to me as a great example of Australian middle-grade fiction in the novel writing course I undertook this year.
Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is a fast-paced, entertaining and surprisingly strong story about family, friends, standing up to bullies and attempting to spend a million dollars.
June 23, 2019
This book was great fun from start to finish, the story line was compelling, but what I enjoyed most were the tips scattered throughout that although driven by the story were just awesome tips for kids (and adults) to apply to life- and done without any sense of condescension. A must read!
February 11, 2020
Amazaaaaaaang
July 4, 2019
Original, yet harks barks to the 80s / 90s style narratives like The Goonies and Home alone where pre-teens and little kids take on really quite serious bad guys... Really enjoyed this. Great debut, Miss Amoore!
October 15, 2019
A great debut novel from Nat Amoore, a wonderful setup that is loaded with trouble from all sides. There's plenty of heart here. The little tips and references to 80s movies and songs are the sprinkling on top of a fun-filled read.
October 11, 2019
Such a fun read with an outstanding voice. I can totally see this being made into a movie.
September 2, 2019
It's a premise that most kids regardless of entrepreneurial motivation will find irresistible, having a zillion (read: million) dollars virtually thrown into their laps to spend with unrestricted abandon and no adult involvement.
This is the princely predicament young Tess finds herself and her best mate, Toby, struggling through. Struggling because despite their best efforts, spending a gazillion (read: million) dollars as 10-year-olds is not as straightforward as walking into a candy store. It takes more cunning than a weasel and a whole lot of guts especially as said million is the former spoil of her no-good, recently arrested, criminal backyard neighbour.
As Tess and Toby endeavour to right wrongs, distribute funds multifariously and maintain a low profile (which is difficult to uphold thanks to their philanthropic habit of doling out free lollipops and wearing sunglasses indoors - because that's what millionaires do), they encounter more and more moral hurdles and one big hairy scary one - Scotty, the backyard crim - who breaks parole to hunt down his loot. Trouble is, it suddenly disappears and Tess has just hours to find a million bucks, her missing mum, her sister's loyalty and reset her moral compass.
Secrets...is an exciting, edge-of-your-seat, funny as read that adult lovers of MG fiction will enjoy as much as the intended market thanks to the hilarious tongue in cheek old school references peppered throughout Tess's story. To link the two frames of reference, younger readers are invited to Google anything unfamiliar by Tess who is a dead set Gen Z, 21st Century online believer (read: believable 10-year-old).
Tess's story reads as a soft confession of sorts, accompanied by retrospective 'Tips' - the secrets. Among some notable favourites: Tip 15 Don't Be An Idiot. No One Likes An Idiot and Tip 20 - which you'll have to learn for yourself. All 31 Tips are listed in the back of the book, conveniently making up a comprehensive survival list of life hacks that could as easily support business managers as it could tweens making their way into teenagehood.
Pure brilliance and fun, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is a triumphant debut worth its weight in bank notes.
This is the princely predicament young Tess finds herself and her best mate, Toby, struggling through. Struggling because despite their best efforts, spending a gazillion (read: million) dollars as 10-year-olds is not as straightforward as walking into a candy store. It takes more cunning than a weasel and a whole lot of guts especially as said million is the former spoil of her no-good, recently arrested, criminal backyard neighbour.
As Tess and Toby endeavour to right wrongs, distribute funds multifariously and maintain a low profile (which is difficult to uphold thanks to their philanthropic habit of doling out free lollipops and wearing sunglasses indoors - because that's what millionaires do), they encounter more and more moral hurdles and one big hairy scary one - Scotty, the backyard crim - who breaks parole to hunt down his loot. Trouble is, it suddenly disappears and Tess has just hours to find a million bucks, her missing mum, her sister's loyalty and reset her moral compass.
Secrets...is an exciting, edge-of-your-seat, funny as read that adult lovers of MG fiction will enjoy as much as the intended market thanks to the hilarious tongue in cheek old school references peppered throughout Tess's story. To link the two frames of reference, younger readers are invited to Google anything unfamiliar by Tess who is a dead set Gen Z, 21st Century online believer (read: believable 10-year-old).
Tess's story reads as a soft confession of sorts, accompanied by retrospective 'Tips' - the secrets. Among some notable favourites: Tip 15 Don't Be An Idiot. No One Likes An Idiot and Tip 20 - which you'll have to learn for yourself. All 31 Tips are listed in the back of the book, conveniently making up a comprehensive survival list of life hacks that could as easily support business managers as it could tweens making their way into teenagehood.
Pure brilliance and fun, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is a triumphant debut worth its weight in bank notes.
October 13, 2019
6 stars out of 5! I love this book, read it multiple times and I’m still loving it. Can’t wait for my kid to be old enough to be able to meet Tess, Toby and the gang and follow their kick arse tale. Tess is my hero and I wish I had her moral compass when I was 10!!
October 10, 2019
This book is just great fun. I can see how it must appeal to its target market! Highly recommended!
October 10, 2019
What an adventure!
And with a subtle positive message.
My girls loved it!
And with a subtle positive message.
My girls loved it!
October 10, 2019
This book was entertaining and captivating. A great read for my 6 and 9 year old and me!! Look forward to the next book from this author 😍
October 10, 2019
I gave this book as a gift to a friends daughter and she loved it! She said she couldn’t put it down!
September 11, 2019
Love, love, loved this book and so will the kids. It’s funny, fast paced and full of life lessons. Brilliant!
June 7, 2020
One of the best kids books I’ve read in a while - it’s funny, smart, suspenseful and I love it’s moral compass. It led to some lovely conversations. My boys 7 and 10 loved it. Nat’s very talented.
June 7, 2019
Great fun read with lots of helpful information on how to become the best Schoolyard Millionaire ever!
Tess finds a great stash of money in her backyard. She tells her best friend Toby and they set out to be the best people they can be by spending the money in ways that help others. What they find is that it is harder to donate and spend large amounts of cash when you are a kid. Sometimes, even good plans have not so good consequences, which these two learn along the way. They also help a lot of people in some very creative ways.
I love the way the author has snuck in some tips to help kids - these are genuine great tips that can help kids become better people. Who knew that in reading a fun book full of adventure that you could learn at the same time....
This book is perfect for independant readers 10+ but makes a great family read for 6+.
Tess finds a great stash of money in her backyard. She tells her best friend Toby and they set out to be the best people they can be by spending the money in ways that help others. What they find is that it is harder to donate and spend large amounts of cash when you are a kid. Sometimes, even good plans have not so good consequences, which these two learn along the way. They also help a lot of people in some very creative ways.
I love the way the author has snuck in some tips to help kids - these are genuine great tips that can help kids become better people. Who knew that in reading a fun book full of adventure that you could learn at the same time....
This book is perfect for independant readers 10+ but makes a great family read for 6+.
July 2, 2019
We are sure every child at some point has imagined what they would do if they had a million dollars! This is particularly so for the protagonist Tess who comes from a home where there is not a lot of spare money. You can only imagine the adventures and misadventures that occur when the dodgy and dangerous neighbour Scotty hides a million dollars in her treasure chest and Tess and her best friend Toby endeavour to spend it! They soon find out that it isn’t so easy to spend that amount of money when you’re a child, even if you are trying to do good things with it, and life can become unpredictable when you are in the sights of a criminal. This is a fun and imaginative adventure that will appeal to readers 8+.
June 22, 2019
I loved this fun, exciting story about a girl who finds a million dollars. What would you do if you suddenly came into possession of a million bucks? There are some great messages in this book, but lots of mistakes are made by our heroine so it doesn’t feel preachy in the least. The importance of being there for “your people” is such a strong theme, and Nat has done an amazing job of delivering this in a really enjoyable way.
July 18, 2019
This book has it all - humour, heart, suspense, adventure, frivolity, depth, sensitivity and wisdom. I loved the characters, especially the likeable, flawed heroine, Tess. The story is narrated by Tess, in hindsight, and the device of her issuing tips for life is well used to add humour and wisdom and to draw the reader deeper into the story. Perfectly pitched middle grade book for kids 8-12.
September 29, 2020
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Che lettura divertente e scanzonata, perfetta per i bambini dai 10 ai 12 anni che rimarranno stregati dalla vitalità e dallo spirito imprenditoriale di Tess Heckleston e magari prenderanno qualche spunto perché alcune delle sue dritte sono da incorniciare, utili non sono ai ragazzini ma anche a noi adulti.
Tess è una forza della natura, io una come lei non l’ho mai incontrata e di certo non assomiglia a me nemmeno un pochino, magari avessi il suo spiccato intelletto, a quest’ora sarei milionaria davvero. Ad affiancarla in tutti i suoi affari c’è Toby, il suo migliore amico, lui è quello tranquillo, posato e fa da tesoriere nella coppia. In fondo coi numeri è davvero bravo e Tess non ama molto mettersi a contare.
Tutto per lei ruota attorno al ‘fare business’ e questa trovata è a dir poco geniale, chi si immaginerebbe una bimba di dieci anni che pensa solo a far soldi? Io non davo loro nessun valore a quell’età e penso che sia lo stesso per tutti voi.
La scena iniziale fa intuire che qualcosa deve essere andato storto Mi sono documentata a proposito dei miei diritti in caso di perquisizioni scolastiche e sequestri su tuttolegge.org.au (dovete sempre conoscere i vostri diritti) e, quindi, so già di non potermi opporre a questa richiesta perché l’armadietto è di proprietà della scuola. In ogni caso, sono stata io a ficcarmi in questa situazione ed è arrivato il momento di assumermene la responsabilità. Come ha fatto una bambina a trovarsi con un milione di dollari nell’armadietto? Presto detto: i soldi sono del suo losco vicino che, pochi attimi prima di essere arrestato, ha nascosto una sacca nel forziere di Tess che si trova in giardino. Il losco vicino non è una bella persona e sicuramente rivorrà quei soldi, ma Tess non pensa a questa eventualità e va subito a prelevare la sacca senza farsi notare. Prima cosa da fare quando si trovano un mucchio di soldi: chiamare Toby. Seconda cosa: sguazzarci come faceva Paperon de’ Paparoni, avete presente? Chi resisterebbe a un’opportunità del genere?
«Prima di cominciare…» Raccolgo una mazzetta, sfilo l’elastico di gomma e cambio canzone sul mio lettore mp3, alzando il volume. Mentre Don’t Stop Believin’ riecheggia dalle mie casse gracchianti, butto per aria i soldi. Toby e io scoppiamo a ridere, mentre le banconote ci piovono addosso. «Nei film si fa così, amico mio!»
Adesso bisogna decidere cosa fare con questi soldi perché, una cosa è certa, vanno spesi. Il modo migliore è fare una lista e coinvolgere i ragazzini della scuola perché tutti hanno dei sogni e magari grazie a quei soldi possono essere realizzati. Le proposte dei compagni sono però troppo egoistiche e infantili, si discostano dall’idea iniziale di utilizzarli per fare del bene, così Tess e Toby cominciano a fare di testa loro, certo non è facile farsi prendere sul serio dagli adulti e incontreranno parecchi scogli, ma grazie alle loro menti brillanti riusciranno a venirne a capo, almeno fino a quando…
Come rubare un milione e (forse) farla franca vi conquisterà, sì lo so che sarebbe stata ideato per un pubblico molto giovane, e vi assicuro che se lo regalerete ai vostri figli o ai vostri nipoti farete un figurone, ma se avete voglia di avventura e di conoscere una protagonista introvabile dovete leggerlo anche voi.
Che lettura divertente e scanzonata, perfetta per i bambini dai 10 ai 12 anni che rimarranno stregati dalla vitalità e dallo spirito imprenditoriale di Tess Heckleston e magari prenderanno qualche spunto perché alcune delle sue dritte sono da incorniciare, utili non sono ai ragazzini ma anche a noi adulti.
Tess è una forza della natura, io una come lei non l’ho mai incontrata e di certo non assomiglia a me nemmeno un pochino, magari avessi il suo spiccato intelletto, a quest’ora sarei milionaria davvero. Ad affiancarla in tutti i suoi affari c’è Toby, il suo migliore amico, lui è quello tranquillo, posato e fa da tesoriere nella coppia. In fondo coi numeri è davvero bravo e Tess non ama molto mettersi a contare.
Tutto per lei ruota attorno al ‘fare business’ e questa trovata è a dir poco geniale, chi si immaginerebbe una bimba di dieci anni che pensa solo a far soldi? Io non davo loro nessun valore a quell’età e penso che sia lo stesso per tutti voi.
La scena iniziale fa intuire che qualcosa deve essere andato storto Mi sono documentata a proposito dei miei diritti in caso di perquisizioni scolastiche e sequestri su tuttolegge.org.au (dovete sempre conoscere i vostri diritti) e, quindi, so già di non potermi opporre a questa richiesta perché l’armadietto è di proprietà della scuola. In ogni caso, sono stata io a ficcarmi in questa situazione ed è arrivato il momento di assumermene la responsabilità. Come ha fatto una bambina a trovarsi con un milione di dollari nell’armadietto? Presto detto: i soldi sono del suo losco vicino che, pochi attimi prima di essere arrestato, ha nascosto una sacca nel forziere di Tess che si trova in giardino. Il losco vicino non è una bella persona e sicuramente rivorrà quei soldi, ma Tess non pensa a questa eventualità e va subito a prelevare la sacca senza farsi notare. Prima cosa da fare quando si trovano un mucchio di soldi: chiamare Toby. Seconda cosa: sguazzarci come faceva Paperon de’ Paparoni, avete presente? Chi resisterebbe a un’opportunità del genere?
«Prima di cominciare…» Raccolgo una mazzetta, sfilo l’elastico di gomma e cambio canzone sul mio lettore mp3, alzando il volume. Mentre Don’t Stop Believin’ riecheggia dalle mie casse gracchianti, butto per aria i soldi. Toby e io scoppiamo a ridere, mentre le banconote ci piovono addosso. «Nei film si fa così, amico mio!»
Adesso bisogna decidere cosa fare con questi soldi perché, una cosa è certa, vanno spesi. Il modo migliore è fare una lista e coinvolgere i ragazzini della scuola perché tutti hanno dei sogni e magari grazie a quei soldi possono essere realizzati. Le proposte dei compagni sono però troppo egoistiche e infantili, si discostano dall’idea iniziale di utilizzarli per fare del bene, così Tess e Toby cominciano a fare di testa loro, certo non è facile farsi prendere sul serio dagli adulti e incontreranno parecchi scogli, ma grazie alle loro menti brillanti riusciranno a venirne a capo, almeno fino a quando…
Come rubare un milione e (forse) farla franca vi conquisterà, sì lo so che sarebbe stata ideato per un pubblico molto giovane, e vi assicuro che se lo regalerete ai vostri figli o ai vostri nipoti farete un figurone, ma se avete voglia di avventura e di conoscere una protagonista introvabile dovete leggerlo anche voi.
November 5, 2024
A funny book with a strong moral ending and clear characters. Tess is an entrepreneurial character who likes money and her best friend Toby is the detailed type who loves to give to good causes. The two are good at thinking up ideas to raise money - Tess is more interested in how to get rich whereas Toby is interested in how to make money for charity.
Most of the adventures are quite far-fetched but fun and I think would appeal to kids. There are little tips sprinkled through the book on getting rich and life itself. Tess has a strong voice and this is a real "kids can do it" (and adults aren't as good as kids) book.
To be honest while I had fun with the book, at first it didn't grab me so much. It had a nice, exciting opening but Tess did grate on me a bit. I did realise though that the things that might be a bit annoying to me about her may be things that appeal to kids. It may seem weird but I found it annoying that she was so dismissive of Shakespeare straight after her little speech about how we should respect the classics because classics are classics for a reason. Is there much more of a great example of a classic than Shakespeare?
The beginning was a little slow on action too, and was more about Tess's tips on life. I can deal with this in some books but after a while I got a little sick of it and was looking for the story to move on.
So I was very glad it did because once we got into the meat of the story it was a lot better and much more enjoyable. A good story, very easy to read, and the ending worked for me.
Most of the adventures are quite far-fetched but fun and I think would appeal to kids. There are little tips sprinkled through the book on getting rich and life itself. Tess has a strong voice and this is a real "kids can do it" (and adults aren't as good as kids) book.
To be honest while I had fun with the book, at first it didn't grab me so much. It had a nice, exciting opening but Tess did grate on me a bit. I did realise though that the things that might be a bit annoying to me about her may be things that appeal to kids. It may seem weird but I found it annoying that she was so dismissive of Shakespeare straight after her little speech about how we should respect the classics because classics are classics for a reason. Is there much more of a great example of a classic than Shakespeare?
The beginning was a little slow on action too, and was more about Tess's tips on life. I can deal with this in some books but after a while I got a little sick of it and was looking for the story to move on.
So I was very glad it did because once we got into the meat of the story it was a lot better and much more enjoyable. A good story, very easy to read, and the ending worked for me.
July 19, 2022
Everybody dreams of becoming a millionaire, especially kids, after they learn that all the fun things crave cash. With age, your definition of fun just develops, same as the amount of cash needed for your new awesome ideas ;)
So one day the luck smiles on Tess and 1 million lands in her treasure box from a very sussy neighbor who gets arrested. When you get (basically) unlimited cash, no 10-year old would think twice on spending it to fulfill all her wildest dreams. While being smarter than other kids her age, she soon discovers that there are different rules in the grown-ups world for spending cash, where anything higher than your regular allowance gets noticed big time...
This is a fun and adventurous story of "what if". It's quick-paced, action-filled and at the same time rather thought-provoking. It shows a possible scenario of how as a kid you'd spend your million in making the world a better place, but also that you cannot foresee all the consequences, how even with a well-thought planning, things can go very wrong.
At the end of the day though, it's most important to know who's your tribe to cover your ass, and to learn from your mistakes.
I very much liked the lists that parents made Tess do, both of them. It's a good exercise. And from that point of view this book teaches kids to be kind, show compassion, and to be invating in finding ways to improve the world for everyone. So it comes highly recommended to everyone. Go imagine. And have fun ;)
So one day the luck smiles on Tess and 1 million lands in her treasure box from a very sussy neighbor who gets arrested. When you get (basically) unlimited cash, no 10-year old would think twice on spending it to fulfill all her wildest dreams. While being smarter than other kids her age, she soon discovers that there are different rules in the grown-ups world for spending cash, where anything higher than your regular allowance gets noticed big time...
This is a fun and adventurous story of "what if". It's quick-paced, action-filled and at the same time rather thought-provoking. It shows a possible scenario of how as a kid you'd spend your million in making the world a better place, but also that you cannot foresee all the consequences, how even with a well-thought planning, things can go very wrong.
At the end of the day though, it's most important to know who's your tribe to cover your ass, and to learn from your mistakes.
I very much liked the lists that parents made Tess do, both of them. It's a good exercise. And from that point of view this book teaches kids to be kind, show compassion, and to be invating in finding ways to improve the world for everyone. So it comes highly recommended to everyone. Go imagine. And have fun ;)
June 21, 2022
mulle vist tegelikult meeldis sarja järgmine lugu (headest vempudest) isegi veidi rohkem, aga ei olnud sellel siin ka midagi viga. jälle hirmus toredad tegelased ja omamoodi, aga veenvad perekonnad, kus on veidrusi ja on muresid ja on ilmselgelt palju armastust ka. noh ja siis see minategelane, kümneaastane Tess, kes saab nii oma lugu läbi elades kui jutustades suurepäraselt aru, et paljud ta otsused ja valikud polnud just parimad, aga nagu see ikka läheb... tol hetkel tundus normaalne idee :)
kusjuures mul oli see raamat lugemisnimekirjast enne välja jäänud, sest millegipärast eeldasin, et tegu on mingi rahateenimis- või säästmisõpikuga keskmisele koolieale, a la "Koer nimega Money". aga esiteks pole see mingi õpik, vaid normaalne seikluslik lastelugu, kus tehakse ise pättust ja püütakse suuremaid pätte ka; ja teiseks vahelduse mõttes ei räägi see mitte sellest, kui raske on raha teenida, vaid hoopis, et kui raske on kulutada. eriti kui oled kümnene ja sul on miljon dollarit sularaha ja järsku selgub, et internetist saab asju osta ainult pangakaardiga:P
tahtsin ja sain teada ka loo sellest, kuidas koolitäis lapsi kodutule naisele parki legodest maja ehitas. üldse see kodutu Kathy vist oligi mu lemmiktegelane, uskumatult chill mittesekkumispoliitika oli tal ikka.
kusjuures mul oli see raamat lugemisnimekirjast enne välja jäänud, sest millegipärast eeldasin, et tegu on mingi rahateenimis- või säästmisõpikuga keskmisele koolieale, a la "Koer nimega Money". aga esiteks pole see mingi õpik, vaid normaalne seikluslik lastelugu, kus tehakse ise pättust ja püütakse suuremaid pätte ka; ja teiseks vahelduse mõttes ei räägi see mitte sellest, kui raske on raha teenida, vaid hoopis, et kui raske on kulutada. eriti kui oled kümnene ja sul on miljon dollarit sularaha ja järsku selgub, et internetist saab asju osta ainult pangakaardiga:P
tahtsin ja sain teada ka loo sellest, kuidas koolitäis lapsi kodutule naisele parki legodest maja ehitas. üldse see kodutu Kathy vist oligi mu lemmiktegelane, uskumatult chill mittesekkumispoliitika oli tal ikka.
November 29, 2020
This is not just a book for kids. It has more substance than the fun blurb. Parents will genuinely relate to this lighthearted, sensitively serious in parts, comical story. It covers Tess’s deep love for her family when she realises her siblings are more than just weird. The protective love for sister Olivia with diabetes whom she underestimates. Her bestie Toby, who wants to donate to lifesaving surgeries for patients in developing countries. Toby and Tess would never have met otherwise. Nat Amore has woven a story which should be in classrooms to subtly alert children of the outside world.
May 20, 2022
This was a bit of fun!
The long and short of it? Tess aka Tessels (a cutsie nickname for a mastermind) has accidentally befriended the criminal next store, so he's cool leaving his MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CASH in her backyard when he gets busted.
What can you do with a million bucks? Turns out, quite a lot of schemes...
This was very fun and also very heartfelt, positive family representation (and diabetes!) with some kooky characters and lots of googling. I want a Toby friend now, thanks.
The long and short of it? Tess aka Tessels (a cutsie nickname for a mastermind) has accidentally befriended the criminal next store, so he's cool leaving his MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CASH in her backyard when he gets busted.
What can you do with a million bucks? Turns out, quite a lot of schemes...
This was very fun and also very heartfelt, positive family representation (and diabetes!) with some kooky characters and lots of googling. I want a Toby friend now, thanks.
June 10, 2020
Things I loved about this book:
The voice and personality of the main character.
The overall tone of the story.
The positive messages.
The funny jokes.
The fact that the main character's BFF is adopted from Bolivia and had two mums.
The fact her sister had diabetes and it was part of the story (and not forced).
Things I didn't like:
It kept me up all night reading and made me super tired for work the next day!
I can't wait to read her next book.
The voice and personality of the main character.
The overall tone of the story.
The positive messages.
The funny jokes.
The fact that the main character's BFF is adopted from Bolivia and had two mums.
The fact her sister had diabetes and it was part of the story (and not forced).
Things I didn't like:
It kept me up all night reading and made me super tired for work the next day!
I can't wait to read her next book.
June 14, 2020
My seven year old granddaughter and I read this wonderful book together. The essence of the story is the friendship of Tess and Toby and what they do with $1 million Tess finds in her backyard. The book is full of "tips" that are very meaningful for a young person to think about. The book is also full of song references for which we paused and listened to each song along the way. This was a fun book with a good story and yet very meaningful for a young person.
November 1, 2021
Lovely fun book for all primary school aged children. Fast paced, slightly unbelievable adventures and high element of risk. Great for young entrepreneurs and readers who would love plenty of money. Some fun links back to Nat's earlier book The Power of Positive Pranking, especially with the alarm clocks at assembly trick!
Three stars sounds too harsh but it's not quite a 4. Wish there was the option for half stars.
Three stars sounds too harsh but it's not quite a 4. Wish there was the option for half stars.
December 15, 2019
This was a great rollicking read with a strong, female voice - Tess.
The thrills and adventures belt along and this book makes a great read-aloud in class.
The strength of the characters and their relationships was a pleasure to read. Friends, families and neighbours are the mortar to the bricks of this story.
More please, Nat Amoore!
The thrills and adventures belt along and this book makes a great read-aloud in class.
The strength of the characters and their relationships was a pleasure to read. Friends, families and neighbours are the mortar to the bricks of this story.
More please, Nat Amoore!
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