4 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. When looking for a short audiobook to listen to in the car, I stumbled across this one and gave it a try. I figured it would be a cutesy middle-grade read.
At first, I was a little apprehensive about the money-obsessed main character and the focus on lying to get rich, but by the end, I actually really enjoyed this one. The story itself was unique and interesting. The writing was engaging and fun. And I never saw the ending coming, which came as a great surprise to finish off a fascinating story.
Lying is a big plot point in the book, but by the end, it’s clear why it’s a problematic practice. The book treats the moral in a way that isn’t preachy and feels natural rather than an in-your-face “lying is bad” message. The consequences of lying are perfectly integrated into the story so that the kids learn their lesson but the story remains fun and interesting.
An entertaining and silly read that sneaks in a moral as well.