Millionaires for the Month

July 13, 2020
Upstate New York seventh graders Felix Rannells and Benji Porter have nothing in common: Felix is small, serious, and a star basketball guard, while Benji is a tall, carefree class clown, so neither is pleased to be partnered for a class field trip. When they find billionaire Laura Friendly’s lost wallet but decide to steal $20 for a snack before returning it, she issues a challenge: spend $5 million in a month (“a penny doubled every day for thirty days”). If they succeed and follow all the rules, including keeping the contest secret, they will receive $10 million each. Benji’s family is wealthy, while Felix’s single mom works two jobs, but both boys are eager to win. At first it’s easy: they hire a driver, book hotel suites, and take a private jet to Disney World. But the money eventually causes tension in both families, and both boys are seen as “selfish jerks.” The duo is relatable, and the realities of middle school are well wrought, with crushes and crushing embarrassment alike. While the final message about money rings true, reading about wasteful spending during a grim economic reality may not appeal. Ages 8–12. Agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary.

Christopher Gebauer narrates the alternating points of view of seventh-graders Felix and Benji, who are challenged to spend five million dollars in a month. Gebauer distinguishes each boy clearly and roots listeners in each viewpoint so that the pair's madcap adventures don't seem so hyperbolic. Felix is shy, and while his principles are high, his family's income is low. He cares too much about how he spends the money, while Gebauer's portrayal of Benji's careless attitude makes for an intriguing dynamic that adds to the time-driven plot. Gebaurer's narration emphasizes the boys' emotional growth as strongly as their spending. The story's dramatization of their need to understand math and money provides a strong counterbalance to their fantastical purchasing power. S.W. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine