When serious-minded Felix gets paired with Benji on a 7th grade field trip, he takes comfort in the fact that their time together will be brief. But when they happen to find a billionaire's wallet and "borrow" $20 before contacting the owner, they find themselves confronting a challenge together to learn the value of money- "spend a penny doubled every day for 30 days" to get 10 million dollars each! They have certain rules they must follow though, including not telling anyone about the challenge, not even their parents, and spending it on themselves. They soon find out how difficult it can be, even working together, to spend over $5 million, under these circumstances. Looking like selfish brats to peers and parents is just the start of their troubles as unforeseen consequences start to build up. This would be a fun book for discussion for grades 5-7, but probably more appreciated when the economy settles down. ( )

This novel is a 2022 Lone Star selection.

Felix and Benji experience a November unlike anyone. Partnered up for a field trip, Felix and Benji find the wallet of Laura Friendly, one of the wealthiest people in the world. Benji steals $20, thinking she won't notice. Felix feels uncomfortable but stays silent, accepting that everyone thinks he stole the money as well. Laura Friendly, of course, does indeed notice. She has a challenge. With a few rules, Benji and Felix must spend $5,368,709.12 by December 1st. If they can accomplish this goal, they'll each get $10 million. This "game" affects Felix more because his mom and him need the money. They barely make ends meet and often fall short. Felix feels Benji cannot comprehend the seriousness of this challenge because he doesn't struggle for any necessities.

You might think it would be easy to spend this money in a month's time, but it is not. The rules require Benji and Felix to tap into their creativity. I found it interesting to see what they thought of. The novel sounds silly, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the characters and enjoyed "watching" the boys spend money. It's much more difficult than one would think. I recommend this novel because it's a great lesson about money and its value to life. ( )

Felix and Benji are partnered up a field trip. They aren't exactly friends. But they find a wallet in the garbage and discover it belongs to a tech billionaire. They spend $20 from it and contact the police to give her back the wallet.
She shows up at their school with a photo op for a $20000 scholarship. Privately she meets with the boys, she's angry about the $20. And offers them a challenge - starting with a penny and doubling every day for a month, could they spend that resulting money (over $5 million dollars) in that month. There are a lot of rules that they can only spend it on things they'll personally use and they can't tell anyone what they are doing. If they are successful they would each get $10 million at the end of the month.
They take the challenge and it stretches them and gets them into more hot water than they could have imagined. A super entertaining read, well-developed characters, and a fun story with lessons learned. ( )

Booktalk: Let's say someone gives you $5 million. How would you spend the money?...Okay, stop! Someone gives you $5 million but with *rules* on how to spend it. First you have to spend all the money in a month. Also, you can't give the money away or buy gifts for people. You can't buy a house, a car, or invest the money. You can't even give to charity. Also, everything you buy will be repossessed at the end of the month. *Now* how will you spend $5 million? That's exactly what happens to Felix and Benji after they find a rich woman's lost wallet. Their reward: To spend $5 million in a month according to her rules. If they are successful, they will each get $10 million. So again: How would you spend $5 million??? (or approach from $1 million now or a penny doubled everyday for a month) ( )

McAnulty brings her A-game to this book. The story is thoroughly delightful and kept me reading long past bedtime. I loved the relationship between the two very different characters, and I imagine researching the details for this book was a blast.

I admit, the back matter of the book made me want to run away screaming, but I didn't because my husband was asleep next to me. For those of you who enjoy math (and seeing anything involving figuring out X doesn't make you break out in a flop sweat), there are all kinds of activities that could be done throughout the book as the characters manage their money, and there are details in the back explaining many mathy things (that I skipped). Math teachers everywhere can enjoy teaming up with the reading teachers!

I highly recommend this for middle grade and YA readers -- and adults as well. What would you buy with a million dollars? ( )