“Lawn Boy”, by Gary Paulsen

Paulsen, Gary. Lawn Boy. New York: Wendy Lamb, 2007. Print.

Despite the fact that the New York Times calls Paulsen “one of the best-loved writers alive” (according to the book jacket), this is the first of his books that I’ve read.  I think because I’d heard about “Hatchet”, which sounds a bit grim, I hadn’t thought of him as writing the kind of light, humorous, warmhearted book I love to read.

And so, I loved this book.  The main character is twelve and perfectly likable.  Carried on a stream of hilarious events, he mostly keeps his head and entertains us with his story of mowing lawns, making more money than he dreamed, and how his summer ends.  Highly recommended.

Scholastic’s book wizard pegs this at a Grade 4.5 reading level, but the age of the main character and the plot makes it appropriate for older children as well, I think.  If you want to read more Paulsen, there are books at every level from grades 2 to 8, and even an adult book about Paulsen’s running of the Iditarod (a sled dog race).