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Billion Dollar Girl
"LUMINOUS and FULL OF HEART, this book is a STUNNING GEM."
—Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Princess Diaries and Airhead series
From the bestselling author behind Disney’s The Swap comes a profoundly moving novel about one girl’s unforgettable journey to discover that life’s true jackpot might not be what it seems. Full of joy and moxie, Billion Dollar Girl grabs hold and won’t let go.
River Ryland is the girl everyone wants to be around. But this brave 13-year-old has a secret that's getting harder and harder to she lives mostly alone in a ramshackle, single-wide trailer with a mom who drops in and out of her life.
After a visit from Social Services goes horribly wrong, longing for security, River sets off on the run. Soon, a case of mistaken identity gives River a chance to live a life that she had never even dreamed. But, when her newfound safety is shattered, River discovers, against all odds—one in 307 million, to be exact—that life's true jackpot isn't anything that it seems.
A simultaneously heart-wrenching and exhilarating exploration of what we value, suspenseful and wise, Billion Dollar Girl is a deeply-felt reminder that we are inexplicably intertwined; a hopeful story of our times.
—Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Princess Diaries and Airhead series
From the bestselling author behind Disney’s The Swap comes a profoundly moving novel about one girl’s unforgettable journey to discover that life’s true jackpot might not be what it seems. Full of joy and moxie, Billion Dollar Girl grabs hold and won’t let go.
River Ryland is the girl everyone wants to be around. But this brave 13-year-old has a secret that's getting harder and harder to she lives mostly alone in a ramshackle, single-wide trailer with a mom who drops in and out of her life.
After a visit from Social Services goes horribly wrong, longing for security, River sets off on the run. Soon, a case of mistaken identity gives River a chance to live a life that she had never even dreamed. But, when her newfound safety is shattered, River discovers, against all odds—one in 307 million, to be exact—that life's true jackpot isn't anything that it seems.
A simultaneously heart-wrenching and exhilarating exploration of what we value, suspenseful and wise, Billion Dollar Girl is a deeply-felt reminder that we are inexplicably intertwined; a hopeful story of our times.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2022
4 people are currently reading
1976 people want to read
About the author
Megan Shull
6 books239 followersA bighearted voice in kids’ fiction and film, MEGAN SHULL is the bestselling author of many stand-up-and-cheer stories for young readers and teens. Her books have been adapted for film, including Disney’s smash hit, The Swap. Most recently, Paramount won the rights to her novel Bounce. Born and raised in Ithaca, New York, Megan holds a doctoral degree from Cornell University, where her work focused on helping kids build resilience. She lives in her hometown, near a lake carved by glaciers and ringed by hills and a trillion waterfalls. Follow along @meganshull on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and visit: heymegan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 16, 2022
Absolutely heartwarming and brilliant. Gives you all the feels along this touching journey.
July 11, 2022
All the feels. This book is deceptively deep with a heart-warming and timely underlying message our world desperately needs. I LOVED IT. Kids will too. 5th grade and up will devour this story. (E-GALLEY)
August 21, 2022
Such a beautiful, thought-provoking, and all-around fun story! I laughed out loud and I cried - couldn't put it down! Can't wait to gift it to all of the young adults in my life! (Advanced review copy).
August 17, 2022
Another hit by Megan Shull!!!
August 21, 2022
Kids will love River Ryland the captivating narrator. This novel is wonderful and suprising in the best way. I absolutely loved it. Advance review copy.
August 16, 2022
Megan Shull is great! Her books are always a great read for young readers and older readers as well!
August 21, 2022
This book rocks my world. For me personally, it transports me and I really was in River's shoes. A book that can do that is special to me. My boys are going to love it too. Early review copy.
March 17, 2023
LOVED this one so much!
August 22, 2022
I haven't read something in such a long time that's related to me on a personal level like Billion Dollar Girl did. Truly a touching story and I highly recommend it to kids and adults. It's wonderful!
September 4, 2022
I'm not crying, you're crying! 😭 OMG I ❤️❤️❤️❤️ LOVE ❤️❤️❤️❤️ billion dollar girl! Wonderful and surprising in the best way possible. ^edelweiss arc book review copy
September 10, 2022
This was the perfect book to share with friends and sisters during this crazy time we are all living. Once again Megan Shull writes a timely book with a powerful message....Meg Cabot was spot on in saying "LUMINOUS and FULL OF HEART, this book is a STUNNING GEM."! This is a book I could see my self reading again and again!
September 4, 2022
A gorgeous read! I ❤️ RIVER RYLAND! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
*ARC* edition.
*ARC* edition.
September 11, 2022
Fabulous and amazing. I LOVED IT.💗
February 21, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is hopeful and absorbing. The characters are well drawn and the plot moves along in an engaging way.
November 23, 2022
This book was absolutely delightful to read. It made me wish I was 13 again (against alllll remembered logic in my brain screaming, no!) but I am not sure if it was a desire to become River, the main star of the book, or to be able to read this gem with the sweet creative mind of a young teen again. Regardless of age, it was a wonderful read to allow escape from reality.
As a resident of British Columbia, Megan describes the lush rainforest that I've grown quite dear too with such detail that I felt right at home and in awe of it's magic as ever. The relationships in this book are also fantastic examples of empathetic, supportive roles, incredible badass women, and the opposite of toxic masculinity. I really appreciated her effort to show healthy relationships between both women and men.
Lastly, Billion Dollar Girl would not be the great read that it is without Megan's efforts to include Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the insights and wisdom of First Nations members in her writing. The inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and real life references to language and culture are beautifully written.
I saw a review mentioning it may be too long of a read for Middle Schoolers, but as young avid reader, this is just the type of book I would have been looking for. For the young person in your life, or for you and your friends light-hearted book club read, this book is an absolute gem! Will definitely be passing around my friend group.
As a resident of British Columbia, Megan describes the lush rainforest that I've grown quite dear too with such detail that I felt right at home and in awe of it's magic as ever. The relationships in this book are also fantastic examples of empathetic, supportive roles, incredible badass women, and the opposite of toxic masculinity. I really appreciated her effort to show healthy relationships between both women and men.
Lastly, Billion Dollar Girl would not be the great read that it is without Megan's efforts to include Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the insights and wisdom of First Nations members in her writing. The inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and real life references to language and culture are beautifully written.
I saw a review mentioning it may be too long of a read for Middle Schoolers, but as young avid reader, this is just the type of book I would have been looking for. For the young person in your life, or for you and your friends light-hearted book club read, this book is an absolute gem! Will definitely be passing around my friend group.
January 11, 2023
This book was such an interesting read. The story has a bit of everything - romance, the character's personal growth, friendship, family struggles. I loved the story and the way it all unravels. The story had a lot of depth in terms of what the main character goes through. Highly recommend!
January 13, 2023
OMG. This book was so well written, I swear I could feel the moss beneath my feet, the warmness of the hot spring, and the birds singing above my head! You did a great job Megan Shull! Thank you so much for an amazing book.
September 7, 2022
I absolutely love this book! Remarkable, tender and honest.
Truly one of the best kids books I've read in years.
Edelweiss+ digital review copy.
Truly one of the best kids books I've read in years.
Edelweiss+ digital review copy.
September 18, 2022
I loved this book. It is at once a riveting adventure, and a big hug all rolled up together! A perfect message for kids today, and frankly for all ages!
November 27, 2024
First of all, I love Megan Shull's work! This was another one of her books that just makes you realize how amazing and wonderful normal life is when it's going well (more or less)--to spend time outside, to feel the strength in your body, to eat fresh food, to be surrounded by people that love you and care for you, stability, adventure (even small ones!)--these are all the stuff that a good life is made of. I really try not to take for granted living here on the farm in Thorntown, with plenty of trees outside, plenty of good work to do, a place for a big garden, room for the kids to roam around and pursue outdoor hobbies, woods to ramble around in, and plenty of food and warmth for all of us. Sometimes you don't realize how special your normal day-to-day life is until it's taken away for awhile, upheaved and never quite the same. Loving relationships matter, probably the most of anything.
Spoiler alert: It was interesting how great I felt about her life when she was at Great Bear, growing friendships, strengthening her body, learning the land and ocean and tides and plants and animals, and how awful it felt when she won the lottery. I was like, "no! no! no! That's bad!" haha money can't buy the kind of love and community that a child/teen really needs. It's hard to put a price on stability, comfort, safety, and food security. Of course, every time she lied/put off telling the truth, I was frustrated. Just tell the truth! That's why you showed up anyway! But maybe it bought her more time, since if she had told them who she was at the outset, they would have been obligated to tell her mom and the authorities where she was, and the happy summer would have been over before it began. But still! Tell the truth! I am happy with the way the book ended, especially that the mom was open to getting the help she needed.
Spoiler alert: It was interesting how great I felt about her life when she was at Great Bear, growing friendships, strengthening her body, learning the land and ocean and tides and plants and animals, and how awful it felt when she won the lottery. I was like, "no! no! no! That's bad!" haha money can't buy the kind of love and community that a child/teen really needs. It's hard to put a price on stability, comfort, safety, and food security. Of course, every time she lied/put off telling the truth, I was frustrated. Just tell the truth! That's why you showed up anyway! But maybe it bought her more time, since if she had told them who she was at the outset, they would have been obligated to tell her mom and the authorities where she was, and the happy summer would have been over before it began. But still! Tell the truth! I am happy with the way the book ended, especially that the mom was open to getting the help she needed.
January 6, 2023
I love this book! After getting it for Christmas, I couldn't put it down! It was a story full of surprises and River was a very love-able character!
January 1, 2024
This is an uplifting middle school novel. Great for a day when you need a little warmth and hope. I still think of these characters.
March 1, 2024
I enjoyed how heartwarming the story was. Been a while since I’ve read a book starring a middle-aged girl so it initially felt like it wasn’t for me, but that’s what made it more enjoyable in the end— her passion & excitement. Makes you wish that life was as simple as in the Great Bear Rainforest, makes you sad as well that it isn’t. Haha. I’m definitely putting Great Bear in my travel bucketlist!
March 25, 2024
I enjoyed how heartwarming the story was. Been a while since I’ve read a book starring a middle-aged girl so it initially felt like it wasn’t for me, but that’s what made it more enjoyable in the end— her passion & excitement. Makes you wish that life was as simple as in the Great Bear Rainforest, makes you sad as well that it isn’t. Haha. I’m definitely putting Great Bear in my travel bucketlist!
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
River has lived her whole life with her single mother, Sunny, who is young and fun, but also very unreliable. Currently, Sunny hasn't been back for days, and River is living alone in a decrepit trailer with little food. Her best friend's mother won't let her hang out with River anymore, and her school principal has informed her that she'll be stopping by at 7:00 in the evening with a social worker, because it's come to her attention that River needs help. Instead of getting this help, River takes all of the money in the trailer and sets off to buy a bus ticket to Great Bear Island. When she gets on the ferry to finish her journey, she meets the exuberant Cricket, who mistakes River for a 17-year-old named Liv whom she is supposed to meet so that the two can work at the lodge. Not knowing quite how to approach her aunt, Jemma, River goes along with the charade and is soon loving life on the island. Her cousin, Till, is fantastic, the girls are staying in a lighthouse, and her mother's journals and clothes that she left behind when she ran away help River feel connected to the mother she loves, even if she is also disappointed in her. Things go fairly well for quite some time, but then Cricket and River make some bad decisions and need to be rescued. When Sunny shows up with a new boyfriend, River goes back to the mainland with her without question. During her initial bus trip, an older woman gave River a note, which she hasn't read. When she finally does, she realizes it contains a lottery ticket... which is a winner of a huge jackpot. Of course, Sunny thinks this is great, and the two, along with her boyfriend, get involved in a life of living large while waiting to claim the winnings. Is this really the life that River wants, or does she really want to go back and live on Great Bear Island?
Strengths: My students really love reading about the kind of horrible situation that River finds herself in at the beginning of the book. My daughter explained this well, saying that reading about children with horrible home lives made her middle school experience seem not so bad. There could have been a whole book about River's experiences with living in the trailer and navigating school while trying not to be discoverer. The trip to the island is also fantastic, and there are great details about all of the wonderful natural resources. Jemma and her family are understanding, and River learns about a whole new way of life. There is also some interest in reading about lottery winners, which are main characters in books like Tashjian's My Life as a Billionaire, West's Lucky in Love, Haworth's A Whole Lot of Lucky, Smith's Windfall, McAnulty's Millionaires for a Month.
Weaknesses: This is a very long book for middle grade (416 pages), and the cover is not very appealing.
What I really think: I liked parts of this one a lot, but it seemed like several different books rolled into one. I may have a couple of interested students check this one out of the public library and see what they think before I buy it. If it were shorter or had a better cover, I would definitely purchase, but this may be a hard sell in my library.
River has lived her whole life with her single mother, Sunny, who is young and fun, but also very unreliable. Currently, Sunny hasn't been back for days, and River is living alone in a decrepit trailer with little food. Her best friend's mother won't let her hang out with River anymore, and her school principal has informed her that she'll be stopping by at 7:00 in the evening with a social worker, because it's come to her attention that River needs help. Instead of getting this help, River takes all of the money in the trailer and sets off to buy a bus ticket to Great Bear Island. When she gets on the ferry to finish her journey, she meets the exuberant Cricket, who mistakes River for a 17-year-old named Liv whom she is supposed to meet so that the two can work at the lodge. Not knowing quite how to approach her aunt, Jemma, River goes along with the charade and is soon loving life on the island. Her cousin, Till, is fantastic, the girls are staying in a lighthouse, and her mother's journals and clothes that she left behind when she ran away help River feel connected to the mother she loves, even if she is also disappointed in her. Things go fairly well for quite some time, but then Cricket and River make some bad decisions and need to be rescued. When Sunny shows up with a new boyfriend, River goes back to the mainland with her without question. During her initial bus trip, an older woman gave River a note, which she hasn't read. When she finally does, she realizes it contains a lottery ticket... which is a winner of a huge jackpot. Of course, Sunny thinks this is great, and the two, along with her boyfriend, get involved in a life of living large while waiting to claim the winnings. Is this really the life that River wants, or does she really want to go back and live on Great Bear Island?
Strengths: My students really love reading about the kind of horrible situation that River finds herself in at the beginning of the book. My daughter explained this well, saying that reading about children with horrible home lives made her middle school experience seem not so bad. There could have been a whole book about River's experiences with living in the trailer and navigating school while trying not to be discoverer. The trip to the island is also fantastic, and there are great details about all of the wonderful natural resources. Jemma and her family are understanding, and River learns about a whole new way of life. There is also some interest in reading about lottery winners, which are main characters in books like Tashjian's My Life as a Billionaire, West's Lucky in Love, Haworth's A Whole Lot of Lucky, Smith's Windfall, McAnulty's Millionaires for a Month.
Weaknesses: This is a very long book for middle grade (416 pages), and the cover is not very appealing.
What I really think: I liked parts of this one a lot, but it seemed like several different books rolled into one. I may have a couple of interested students check this one out of the public library and see what they think before I buy it. If it were shorter or had a better cover, I would definitely purchase, but this may be a hard sell in my library.
January 9, 2024
The title and end of the summary really do a disservice to this incredible book, which at its heart is all about the depth of family roots, embracing one's heritage and living in harmony with the land. If not for the heavily educational dialogue, I'd even hesitate to call this middle grade versus young-end-of-YA, between the length and the fact that she manages to pass herself off as 16 for most of the book.
River's mom notwithstanding, I loved every character so much, including the two big fluffy dogs. In particular, weird as this feels to say about a children's book, I could not stop thinking about how their extreme isolation must be the only thing keeping Nash (and in the near future, Till) from fending off women with a stick. Get you a man who can hunt, grow or forage all of his food as well as cook as it, build or craft basically anything, spends zero time zoned out in front of a screen, and presumably is made of lean muscle as a result of all that. You know?
*ahem* Anyway, there are also stunning descriptions of one of the most remote and pristine places on earth in the Pacific Northwest. Every day we woke up there with River was packed with incredible activities and discoveries from dawn until well past dark. Shull also uses an unusual narrative style in which very little time is skipped over in summary -- this is a very immediate novel, with chapters often coming to a natural scene conclusion, only for the next chapter to pick up exactly where the previous one ended. And I absolutely loved the last quarter or so, which -- again -- would have been better as a complete surprise, but it was still lovely to find out how it was resolved.
Bottom line: one of the best new books for young readers I have seen in a while.
River's mom notwithstanding, I loved every character so much, including the two big fluffy dogs. In particular, weird as this feels to say about a children's book, I could not stop thinking about how their extreme isolation must be the only thing keeping Nash (and in the near future, Till) from fending off women with a stick. Get you a man who can hunt, grow or forage all of his food as well as cook as it, build or craft basically anything, spends zero time zoned out in front of a screen, and presumably is made of lean muscle as a result of all that. You know?
*ahem* Anyway, there are also stunning descriptions of one of the most remote and pristine places on earth in the Pacific Northwest. Every day we woke up there with River was packed with incredible activities and discoveries from dawn until well past dark. Shull also uses an unusual narrative style in which very little time is skipped over in summary -- this is a very immediate novel, with chapters often coming to a natural scene conclusion, only for the next chapter to pick up exactly where the previous one ended. And I absolutely loved the last quarter or so, which -- again -- would have been better as a complete surprise, but it was still lovely to find out how it was resolved.
Bottom line: one of the best new books for young readers I have seen in a while.
July 15, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5. So many things to live in this book, yet so many eye rolls from me. A seventh-grade girl named River is hiding her unstable home life from everyone she knows. Her mom, Sunny, is completely irresponsible. They have been without a house plenty of times, and now the school is concerned about River’s attendance and DCS aid getting involved. When it all goes wrong, River runs away to Sunny’s childhood home, a remote island, pretending to be a sixteen-year-old working there for the summer. She sees an amazing new way of life where, most importantly, she doesn’t have to be the adult. But then it all comes crashing down, a new opportunity arises, and she learns how to let people in. River is a great character, but there’s a lot packed in here that feels like too much; the ending is kind of far-fetched too. All in all, I see kids enjoying this though. Recommended for grades 6+, especially students who enjoyed The Benefits of Being an Octopus.
October 22, 2025
It’s sad that such a potentially heartwarming and lovely story has to be written with curse words, harsh language, and too adult scenes. The reviews on the book would indicate this book is a timeless classic, I hope this is not what classics are becoming.
March 8, 2024
The lies that she keeps saying makes me uncomfortable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews