Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Grade 4-6

Since the coming of Spring, my older boys have dusted off the old lawn mower and have started tackling our back yard. They look forward to Summer around the corner and the prospects of earning some extra cash- from mowing lawns in our neighborhood.

So when I saw this book, I suspected they could relate to the twelve year old in this story- learning a quick lesson in supply and demand and how to start up his own lawn mowing business.

Gary Paulsen takes an ordinary summer "lawn mowing" job and turns it into a fun adventure as this young entrepreneur builds his business. One of his clients is an e-stock trader and makes some solid investments. It's a rags to riches kind of story. My 11 year old enjoyed this book-
not only is the content is of high interest but also .. it was a fun short read! Only 88 pages long!
(Great size for Reluctant Readers!)

Both my boys are now eagerly working on their Boy Scout Entrepreneur Merit Badge!
I really love finding books- that go hand in hand with Scouting! Besides learning about the ins and outs to starting your own business, they get to interview an entrepreneur. The BIG project for this merit badge, is to start your own business and run it for at least a month... my boys were planning on doing this anyway this summer, so why not set up a lawn mowing business up right? and get one merit badge closer to eagle along the way?


We haven't read the Lawn Boy Returns yet. I was thrilled to see a sequel to this great story

Reaching Reluctant Readers

It seems like- we've hit a brick wall lately.


My oldest son use to comply with whatever book I pulled out for our book clubs. (The book club itself was motivation enough.)





Now he is being more selective. My little "incentives" aren't enough motivation to help him plow through a book. He wants to read literature that compels him.





Don't we all?





Maybe your Reluctant Reader has a similar hang up on reading.


The solution can be found with a little research.





What does your child like to do? What are their hobbies?


(Besides video games and TV.)





If those are his two top hobbies- it's time for a little intervention.


Don't get me wrong- our family gets in this rut.


Sometimes TV is a nice get-away.

When life is crazy and busy - it's nice to just sit down with the family with some brain numbing entertainment -



laugh and pass popcorn and not have to be the "Activities Director" running around making sure everyone is on task,

and engaged in something worthwhile

and educational.





Believe me- I get it.





But if this rut- is your normal lifestyle why not change things up?


Challenge your family to go without TV and video games for a week.





(Be sure for your sanity and their enjoyment you have other activities available.

Some suggestions are:

books & kid magazines,

puzzles,

musical instrument they can learn,

a list of outside activities they can do,

board games,

card games

scout program to work on,

crayons & markers & paper

After a week- what activities did your kids enjoy?





Did they pull out their old Dinosaurs?


Did they prefer the Lego's and invent things?


Did they go outside and play?

(WARNING: SHARE your goal with your neighbors so your kids don't just run next door and plunk in front of their TV.)

Once you know their interests- you have a great place to start.