Lunch money
Thorndike Press 2005
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- entrepreneurship
- rivalry to friendship
- creativity
- ethics and responsibility
- school rules and authority
- perseverance
- problem solving
About this book
Greg Kenton loves earning money and is always dreaming up new ways to make more. When his classmate and rival, Maura, starts competing with him, their battle over selling homemade mini-comics at school gets bigger than either expected. The two budding entrepreneurs must face school rules, fairness, and what it really means to do good business. Kids enjoy the clever business schemes, funny school moments, and the satisfying look at creativity and money smarts.
Setting: a contemporary suburban elementary/middle school
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lunch money right for my child?
Yes — Lunch money is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include entrepreneurship, rivalry to friendship, creativity.
How long does it take to read Lunch money?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Lunch money takes around 4.5h to finish. The book has 45,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Lunch money have an AR quiz?
Yes — Lunch money has an AR quiz available, worth 6 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Lunch money?
Lunch money has an AR reading level of 5.2, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.