Money to Burn - Softcover

Goldman, E. M. M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140368329 ISBN 13: 9780140368321

Publisher: Puffin, 1996

Synopsis

Two teenage boys encounter opportunity and danger when they stumble upon $400,000 in drug money

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-A hot, boring summer looms before Matt and Lewis. Then they discover an old suitcase buried in the dirt that's full of money-$400,000 worth. Matt is ecstatic, but Lewis wants to turn it in to the police. It becomes obvious that their find is drug money hidden by a dealer who is now dead. They decide to keep it all and tell no one. Spending their fortune is a major problem though, since their parents are sure to notice their wealth in no time. They develop an ingenious plan that involves Dermot, an eccentric local poet who is also an alcoholic. Inevitably other characters from the drug world show up to search for the missing suitcase, with Dermot and the boys caught in the middle. Disaster is averted only at the last minute. This is a rollicking adventure, full of suspense, action, and humor. The boys are typical young teens who wrestle with the issue of keeping something that doesn't belong to them. Their greed conquers their better judgment, which leads them into a frightening confrontation with men far greedier than they. The plot moves at a lively pace. There's a moral here, but the author is not heavy-handed with it. Unfortunately, there are a couple of stereotypical comments about the Chinese. This is lightweight fare but it will surely attract middle-grade readers. After all, what kid hasn't wondered what it would be like to have "money to burn?"-Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. Short of cash and too young to get "real" jobs, 14-year-old Matt Snow and his friend Lewis face the prospect of a very boring summer--until they stumble across a suitcase containing $400,000. They know that they should turn it in to the authorities, but when they learn it was almost certainly the ill-gotten loot of a drug dealer who died, they decide to keep it. Suddenly all their troubles are over--or are they? How do two kids spend that kind of money without looking suspicious? And what happens if the dead man's cronies come looking for the loot? Goldman has created a fast-paced, funny, and almost believable adventure, with an exciting, dangerous climax that is sure to appeal to readers. The cast of characters is well-drawn: Matt and Lewis are thoroughly likable, and the adults, including Matt's father and Dermot, the eccentric town hermit and self-styled poet the boys "hire" to help them spend the loot, are also nicely depicted. This one will be an easy booktalk. Chris Sherman

Edition details

• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140368329
• ISBN 13: 9780140368321
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224