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No Purchase Necessary
A 2025 Book Page Best Middle Grade Book | A 2025 Imagination Soup Best Middle Grade Book | 2026 Texas Library Association Lone Star List Selection A funny, poignant MG debut about a boy whose life spirals out of control when he wins a prize in a stolen candy bar.
Ajay Anthonipillai has a million-dollar problem.
Ajay has lived his life dutifully following the rules set by his Tamil parents. Rules like, “straight A’s only” (rule #3), “no such thing as a no-homework day” (rule #5), and “never watch scary movies” (rules #10). But moving to a new school gives Ajay a new rule to get on seventh grade all-star Jacob Underson’s good side.
When Jacob asks him to steal a Mercury bar from Scary Al’s convenience store, Ajay feels this is his chance to finally “get cool” and gain real friends. Maybe even stop eating lunch alone. But Jacob rejects the stolen chocolate bar, leaving Ajay to unwrap it and discover that it contains Mercury’s Twenty-fifth Anniversary Grand one million dollars!
Faced with an extreme dilemma, Ajay will have to bear the weight of his actions and battle his conscience in deciding whether to claim the prize that may change the life of his family forever.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
Ajay Anthonipillai has a million-dollar problem.
Ajay has lived his life dutifully following the rules set by his Tamil parents. Rules like, “straight A’s only” (rule #3), “no such thing as a no-homework day” (rule #5), and “never watch scary movies” (rules #10). But moving to a new school gives Ajay a new rule to get on seventh grade all-star Jacob Underson’s good side.
When Jacob asks him to steal a Mercury bar from Scary Al’s convenience store, Ajay feels this is his chance to finally “get cool” and gain real friends. Maybe even stop eating lunch alone. But Jacob rejects the stolen chocolate bar, leaving Ajay to unwrap it and discover that it contains Mercury’s Twenty-fifth Anniversary Grand one million dollars!
Faced with an extreme dilemma, Ajay will have to bear the weight of his actions and battle his conscience in deciding whether to claim the prize that may change the life of his family forever.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
Audible Audio
First published January 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 28, 2025
No Purchase Necessary was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and it did not disappoint. Marianayagam created a wonderful character in Ajay that I think middle grade readers will connect to. CW: bullying, racism
What Worked: I could be wrong, but this might be my first time reading a middle grade book that focuses on a Sri Lankan main character and I appreciated that Marianayagam makes that very clear and why it shouldn't be assumed that Ajay is Indian. Ajay is a complex character, but also a character that struggles with some of the same things that are typically seen within this age group. Marianayagam is a talented writer and crafts this novel in a way that is engaging and fun. There are interesting themes in this novel that are closely related to Ajay's culture and it was enlightening and rewarding to see him work through those things even as an adult reader. There is quite a bit of faith content in this book which, like some other readers, I didn't expect, but it definitely informs Ajay's experiences and how he handles conflict. Additionally, it does give readers the opportunity to meet and engage with a fun Friar. Surprisingly, I didn't mind that this book is more character driven than plot driven. The candy bar incident is more of a catalyst for the story than the centralized plot. How the characters react and interact with each other post in the incident is more of the primary focus of the story. There is a connection that Ajay makes at the end which really really warms my heart. Is it completely realistic to expect all individuals within this age group to come to that realization? No; however, I think it was important to the overall tone of the novel.
Overall, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading more from Marianayagam in the future.
What Worked: I could be wrong, but this might be my first time reading a middle grade book that focuses on a Sri Lankan main character and I appreciated that Marianayagam makes that very clear and why it shouldn't be assumed that Ajay is Indian. Ajay is a complex character, but also a character that struggles with some of the same things that are typically seen within this age group. Marianayagam is a talented writer and crafts this novel in a way that is engaging and fun. There are interesting themes in this novel that are closely related to Ajay's culture and it was enlightening and rewarding to see him work through those things even as an adult reader. There is quite a bit of faith content in this book which, like some other readers, I didn't expect, but it definitely informs Ajay's experiences and how he handles conflict. Additionally, it does give readers the opportunity to meet and engage with a fun Friar. Surprisingly, I didn't mind that this book is more character driven than plot driven. The candy bar incident is more of a catalyst for the story than the centralized plot. How the characters react and interact with each other post in the incident is more of the primary focus of the story. There is a connection that Ajay makes at the end which really really warms my heart. Is it completely realistic to expect all individuals within this age group to come to that realization? No; however, I think it was important to the overall tone of the novel.
Overall, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading more from Marianayagam in the future.
January 7, 2025
3.5 Stars
One Liner: More like a children’s book for adults
Ajay Anthonipillai has followed the rules all his life. However, his desire to make friends with Jacob, the famous kid in school leads him to steal and lie. Worse, the Mercury chocolate bar he stole is special. It has the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Grand Prize offered by the company – a million dollars!
But how can Ajay claim the prize when he stole the chocolate? As his lies spiral out of control, Ajay needs to reevaluate his actions and decisions.
The story comes in Ajay’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I was curious to read a book about a Sri Lankan immigrant family in the US. Their struggles, the desire to do their best at the cost of interpersonal relationships, the racism they face, etc., are well presented and appropriate for the age group.
It was easy to empathize with Ajay’s situation in school even though he managed to irritate me a few times. But it only proves a point so I can see it as a part of character and story development.
It was a bit of surprise to see Ajay’s family as Christians but it shouldn’t have been. What I didn’t expect was the extent of faith in the content. Nothing against it but I don’t think I’ve read an MG book where the main character talks so often about god. Just not what I was expecting. That said, Father Freddie sounds cool!
As you can guess from the official blurb, the MC’s parents are typical Asian tiger mom and dad. That’s something I don’t particularly relate to. Yeah, I had friends whose parents were like that. Luckily, mine were and are cool with what I do. I didn’t have to be a topper (I wasn’t either).
A couple of side characters had potential (Mindy and Al). However, they don’t get enough development. The light shines on Ajay almost throughout, and sometimes, reading his first-person POV felt a little exhausting.
A part of this is maybe because the book feels heavier than the blurb. I hoped it would have some fun lighthearted moments or heartwarming ones. There might be a couple but not enough to feel the warmth. The heaviness remains. This may not work that well for the target age group.
Still, I liked how the ending was handled. Some good luck but no real miracles, which is good. I’d have liked a conversation or two between the family members at the end.
There’s a glossary at the end (not necessary for most Indian readers) which will be helpful to understand the native terms.
To summarize, No Purchase Necessary is an interesting read, though I think it will work better for adults than kids.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #NoPurchaseNecessary
One Liner: More like a children’s book for adults
Ajay Anthonipillai has followed the rules all his life. However, his desire to make friends with Jacob, the famous kid in school leads him to steal and lie. Worse, the Mercury chocolate bar he stole is special. It has the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Grand Prize offered by the company – a million dollars!
But how can Ajay claim the prize when he stole the chocolate? As his lies spiral out of control, Ajay needs to reevaluate his actions and decisions.
The story comes in Ajay’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I was curious to read a book about a Sri Lankan immigrant family in the US. Their struggles, the desire to do their best at the cost of interpersonal relationships, the racism they face, etc., are well presented and appropriate for the age group.
It was easy to empathize with Ajay’s situation in school even though he managed to irritate me a few times. But it only proves a point so I can see it as a part of character and story development.
It was a bit of surprise to see Ajay’s family as Christians but it shouldn’t have been. What I didn’t expect was the extent of faith in the content. Nothing against it but I don’t think I’ve read an MG book where the main character talks so often about god. Just not what I was expecting. That said, Father Freddie sounds cool!
As you can guess from the official blurb, the MC’s parents are typical Asian tiger mom and dad. That’s something I don’t particularly relate to. Yeah, I had friends whose parents were like that. Luckily, mine were and are cool with what I do. I didn’t have to be a topper (I wasn’t either).
A couple of side characters had potential (Mindy and Al). However, they don’t get enough development. The light shines on Ajay almost throughout, and sometimes, reading his first-person POV felt a little exhausting.
A part of this is maybe because the book feels heavier than the blurb. I hoped it would have some fun lighthearted moments or heartwarming ones. There might be a couple but not enough to feel the warmth. The heaviness remains. This may not work that well for the target age group.
Still, I liked how the ending was handled. Some good luck but no real miracles, which is good. I’d have liked a conversation or two between the family members at the end.
There’s a glossary at the end (not necessary for most Indian readers) which will be helpful to understand the native terms.
To summarize, No Purchase Necessary is an interesting read, though I think it will work better for adults than kids.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #NoPurchaseNecessary
November 6, 2024
No Purchase Necessary by Maria Marianayagam is a riveting middle grade novel that had me compulsively turning the pages to find out what happened next. It's about a Sri Lankan boy’s life that spirals out of control when he wins a prize in a stolen candy bar, pushing him to navigate his identity amid his ever watchful family. On the outside, this book will hook readers in with its focus on candy bars, karate, poetry and the drama that surrounds all of those things. On a deeper level, there are themes of friendship, family, anxiety and figuring out the person we want to become. Every reader will be able to find an entry point into this book and learn more about themselves as they explore Ajay’s story. And the ending? Well, THAT will generate conversation for sure.
Read
March 5, 2025this was so fun and charming and wholesome. such a great premise and lovely characters.
middle grade / early YA
middle grade / early YA
March 9, 2025
The first part of this story had my eyeballs rolling out of my head. I swear I’ve read dozens of books recently that began the same way. Nice immigrant kid picked-on by jerky entitled, rich white kid. (Whom we will have empathy for by the end of the book) Bully entraps them into doing someone unethical/illegal/immoral. They hide the shame from their overbearing, hardworking parents, etc. etc.
As the story went on about its predicable route I did put aside my irritation, remembering that many middle-grade books can be repetitive. I did become mildly interested in the characters, even if they did feel more archetypal than individual.
It came around with a strong ending. I did appreciate how much both of the family’s children genuinely appreciated their parents. I always enjoy a book that is not afraid to show kids with strong faith.
As the story went on about its predicable route I did put aside my irritation, remembering that many middle-grade books can be repetitive. I did become mildly interested in the characters, even if they did feel more archetypal than individual.
It came around with a strong ending. I did appreciate how much both of the family’s children genuinely appreciated their parents. I always enjoy a book that is not afraid to show kids with strong faith.
March 24, 2025
Loved this fast paced book and the audio is so fun too🩷🩷🩷
February 26, 2025
The kind of conclusion would likely never happen (source: my own Tamil parents), but it was sweet nonetheless.
April 28, 2025
Ajay is a great student, but he doesn't have many friends. When a classmate bullies him into stealing a candy bar from the neighborhood convenience store, things escalate and unravel, and soon Ajay finds himself lying about all kinds of things to conceal his crime. Ajay's strict Sri Lankan parents would be devastated if they found out about the web of lies their son has crafted ... but Ajay knows in his heart that the only way to free himself is to confess.
The plot and writing were kind of simplistic here, but I liked the unique culture of the characters enough to bump it up to a four-star book. Not only is Ajay a South Asian American, he's also a devout Catholic, and those identities factor into the storyline in several places. I enjoyed the positive way the family was portrayed, with hardworking, involved parents and a supportive sibling relationship.
The plot and writing were kind of simplistic here, but I liked the unique culture of the characters enough to bump it up to a four-star book. Not only is Ajay a South Asian American, he's also a devout Catholic, and those identities factor into the storyline in several places. I enjoyed the positive way the family was portrayed, with hardworking, involved parents and a supportive sibling relationship.
January 18, 2026
I loved this book! My son's grade 7 class is listening to the audiobook, so it definitely piqued my interest.
It's a heartfelt story about Ajay, an eighth grader and where he fits...at school, with friends, and within his own Sri Lankan family. What starts with one bad decision turns into a huge moral dilemma when he discovers the chocolate bar he stole is actually worth one million dollars!
This is a wonderful coming of age story that will make you laugh, cry, and root for Ajay the whole way through. And the family dynamics + cultural details add so much depth to the story.
It's a heartfelt story about Ajay, an eighth grader and where he fits...at school, with friends, and within his own Sri Lankan family. What starts with one bad decision turns into a huge moral dilemma when he discovers the chocolate bar he stole is actually worth one million dollars!
This is a wonderful coming of age story that will make you laugh, cry, and root for Ajay the whole way through. And the family dynamics + cultural details add so much depth to the story.
March 5, 2025
This has a strong hook: a kid steals a candy bar to impress a bully and inside is a prize worth one million dollars. The hook is how I'll sell it to kids, but the real gem is here is how Ajay wrestles with moral questions about what to do with this gift he has stolen but can't ethically or logistically cash in. He does feel slightly young for an eighth grader, but that adds to the appeal for younger kids aspirationally reading up.
March 7, 2025
I hope I can find readers for this one; it’s pretty great. Will purchase.
September 1, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Ajay (pronounced AH jay) Anthonipillai is bound and determined to win the Student of the Year award for his 8th grade year, even if his life has some difficulties. His Amma is studying accounting at the community center but also strictly supervises him and his sister, Aarthi, who also attends his school. His father was an engineer in Sri Lanka, but because his degree isn't accepted in the US, worked for a time in a convenience store, and is now getting a masters degree. The family can't afford to live in the city, so are in a smaller town where there are very few students of color. He's recently gotten a bad grade (according to the family rules, anything less than a 90% is "bad") on a language arts poem project, and his teacher, Mrs. Livingston, isn't all that helpful when it comes to telling him what he needs to do to improve. On top of it all, he made an enemy of Jacob Underson over a trivial matter, and now the boy bullies him mercilessly. Even though Jacob's family is wealthy, he frequently steals chocolate bars from "Scary Al's" convenience store across from the school. Having been at work with his father when someone tried to rob the convenience store he was running, Ajay knows that some people steal because they have to, but has no sympathy for Jacob. When Jacob asks Ajay to get him a chocolate bar, Ajay thinks that if he does, it might stop the boy from giving him a hard time. He successfully lifts a bar, but when Jacob found out that Ajay put the food into his pants, he no longer wants it. Frustrated, Ajay eats the chocolate, only to find that it contains the winning ticket for the Mercury Mazoo contest. The prize? A million dollars. The problem? The prize has to be redeemed at the store where the candy was purchased. All too late, Ajay starts to worry that his theft was caught on camera, and starts to obsessively worry. This isn't unfounded; his cousin Ricky got in a fight, and the family's reaction is to send him to a boarding school back in Sri Lanka! Feeling horrible, Ajay tells the owner, Al, that he would like to work in the store. When Al tells him that he needs permission from a parent, Ajay offers to work for free. Since extracurriculars are discouraged by the Anthonipillais, Ajay makes up a debate club and claims it will be good for his college applications. He is allowed to go to karate lessons, and his parents reluctantly agree. Ajay also wants to get downtown to scope out other places where he could claim to have bought the candy, and classmate Mindy Yu is the answer to that problem. The two are working together on a project, and Mindy's brother often drives her to wait for her parents in a coffee shop across from their office. Mindy likes to read Nancy Drew books, and Ajay is a Hardy Boys fan, and the two are fond of each other. Ajay tries to deal with his guilt (the family attends the Catholic church and are very devout), attempts to find a way to erase any video footage, and keep his grades up. He comes to enjoy working with Al, and even makes some suggestions that improve the business, but can't figure out the security camera. After Jacob tries to steal Ajay's wallet, which contains the winning ticket, the two get in a fight and are made to work together on a project, which leads them both to have a better understanding of the other. When Al has a heart attack, Ajay's carefully constructed plans crumble, and he decides to come clean to his parents. Will the family find a way to figure everything out?
Strenghths: There are a decent number of students at my school who seem to think doing homework is optional, which I just can't get my head around, so seeing Ajay want to understand and improve his 79% was a welcome change! There's a lot going on in Ajay's world, but he is trying to do the right thing in all aspects of his life, with very little help. He knows the rules, and doesn't question most of them, but does chafe under some, especially when his parents are so inflexible. At the same time, he understands what his parents are sacrificing so that he and his sister can have a better life. Lying isn't ideal, but it gives him the opportunity to try to make things right with Al, and lets him spend more time with Mindy. I loved that his sister adopted the same strategy and made up a club so that she could hang out at a friend's house. It is also good to see that in the end, the parents aren't inflexible, and Ajay is able to work things out with them. Jacob is somewhat understood and redeemed, there's a nice light romance with Mindy, and I loved Al's store as well as his story. There's definitely a feel good ending after an entire book of white knuckle tension, and that was VERY welcome. This was quite the page turner!
Weaknesses: This made me SO anxious the whole time I was reading it, which just shows how good the writing was, but it was not a good feeling! I thought of a dozen different ways that Ajay would have been able to claim the prize, and it was frustrating when he didn't take any of my advice!
What I really think: It's tempting to compare this with other money winning books like McAnulty's Millionaires for a Month, West's Lucky in Love, or Haworth's A Whole Lot of Lucky, it's not really about the money. It's more a story of navigating the world in a different way that one's parents wish, like Rigaud's Simone Breaks All the Rules , Nicole Chen's It's Boba Time For Pearl Li, or Feldman's Wishing Upon the Same Stars, with a dash of Weeks and Varadarajan's Save Me a Seat.
Ajay (pronounced AH jay) Anthonipillai is bound and determined to win the Student of the Year award for his 8th grade year, even if his life has some difficulties. His Amma is studying accounting at the community center but also strictly supervises him and his sister, Aarthi, who also attends his school. His father was an engineer in Sri Lanka, but because his degree isn't accepted in the US, worked for a time in a convenience store, and is now getting a masters degree. The family can't afford to live in the city, so are in a smaller town where there are very few students of color. He's recently gotten a bad grade (according to the family rules, anything less than a 90% is "bad") on a language arts poem project, and his teacher, Mrs. Livingston, isn't all that helpful when it comes to telling him what he needs to do to improve. On top of it all, he made an enemy of Jacob Underson over a trivial matter, and now the boy bullies him mercilessly. Even though Jacob's family is wealthy, he frequently steals chocolate bars from "Scary Al's" convenience store across from the school. Having been at work with his father when someone tried to rob the convenience store he was running, Ajay knows that some people steal because they have to, but has no sympathy for Jacob. When Jacob asks Ajay to get him a chocolate bar, Ajay thinks that if he does, it might stop the boy from giving him a hard time. He successfully lifts a bar, but when Jacob found out that Ajay put the food into his pants, he no longer wants it. Frustrated, Ajay eats the chocolate, only to find that it contains the winning ticket for the Mercury Mazoo contest. The prize? A million dollars. The problem? The prize has to be redeemed at the store where the candy was purchased. All too late, Ajay starts to worry that his theft was caught on camera, and starts to obsessively worry. This isn't unfounded; his cousin Ricky got in a fight, and the family's reaction is to send him to a boarding school back in Sri Lanka! Feeling horrible, Ajay tells the owner, Al, that he would like to work in the store. When Al tells him that he needs permission from a parent, Ajay offers to work for free. Since extracurriculars are discouraged by the Anthonipillais, Ajay makes up a debate club and claims it will be good for his college applications. He is allowed to go to karate lessons, and his parents reluctantly agree. Ajay also wants to get downtown to scope out other places where he could claim to have bought the candy, and classmate Mindy Yu is the answer to that problem. The two are working together on a project, and Mindy's brother often drives her to wait for her parents in a coffee shop across from their office. Mindy likes to read Nancy Drew books, and Ajay is a Hardy Boys fan, and the two are fond of each other. Ajay tries to deal with his guilt (the family attends the Catholic church and are very devout), attempts to find a way to erase any video footage, and keep his grades up. He comes to enjoy working with Al, and even makes some suggestions that improve the business, but can't figure out the security camera. After Jacob tries to steal Ajay's wallet, which contains the winning ticket, the two get in a fight and are made to work together on a project, which leads them both to have a better understanding of the other. When Al has a heart attack, Ajay's carefully constructed plans crumble, and he decides to come clean to his parents. Will the family find a way to figure everything out?
Strenghths: There are a decent number of students at my school who seem to think doing homework is optional, which I just can't get my head around, so seeing Ajay want to understand and improve his 79% was a welcome change! There's a lot going on in Ajay's world, but he is trying to do the right thing in all aspects of his life, with very little help. He knows the rules, and doesn't question most of them, but does chafe under some, especially when his parents are so inflexible. At the same time, he understands what his parents are sacrificing so that he and his sister can have a better life. Lying isn't ideal, but it gives him the opportunity to try to make things right with Al, and lets him spend more time with Mindy. I loved that his sister adopted the same strategy and made up a club so that she could hang out at a friend's house. It is also good to see that in the end, the parents aren't inflexible, and Ajay is able to work things out with them. Jacob is somewhat understood and redeemed, there's a nice light romance with Mindy, and I loved Al's store as well as his story. There's definitely a feel good ending after an entire book of white knuckle tension, and that was VERY welcome. This was quite the page turner!
Weaknesses: This made me SO anxious the whole time I was reading it, which just shows how good the writing was, but it was not a good feeling! I thought of a dozen different ways that Ajay would have been able to claim the prize, and it was frustrating when he didn't take any of my advice!
What I really think: It's tempting to compare this with other money winning books like McAnulty's Millionaires for a Month, West's Lucky in Love, or Haworth's A Whole Lot of Lucky, it's not really about the money. It's more a story of navigating the world in a different way that one's parents wish, like Rigaud's Simone Breaks All the Rules , Nicole Chen's It's Boba Time For Pearl Li, or Feldman's Wishing Upon the Same Stars, with a dash of Weeks and Varadarajan's Save Me a Seat.
February 10, 2025
In NO PURCHASE NECESSARY, Ajay is struggling to find his way in his new school and live up to the high academic standards set by his parents. When he’s threatened by a bully, he steals a candy bar from a convenience store, hoping to win approval. When the bully rejects the candy because Ajay had put it in his pants, Ajay opens it, only to find the wrapper is the ticket to win a million dollar prize. The money could change his immigrant family’s trajectory, but the way that Ajay came into possession of the candy bar and his parents’ strict rules lead Ajay to an internal struggle. Since his parents are opposed to extracurricular activities, Ajay takes on a job at the store that he took the candy from without telling his parents. He hopes this will ease some of his guilt, but his lies continue to pile up and an easy answer doesn’t seem to be in sight.
Ajay is a complex yet relatable character. He has a moral code and knows he’s made a big mistake but just can’t quite figure out how to get out of the hole he’s dug for himself. The twists and turns of Ajay’s moral dilemma paired with the middle grade themes of fitting in, friendships, and finding yourself provide lots of tension throughout the book will keep readers hooked until the surprising conclusion.
Ajay is a complex yet relatable character. He has a moral code and knows he’s made a big mistake but just can’t quite figure out how to get out of the hole he’s dug for himself. The twists and turns of Ajay’s moral dilemma paired with the middle grade themes of fitting in, friendships, and finding yourself provide lots of tension throughout the book will keep readers hooked until the surprising conclusion.
January 12, 2026
4.5 stars. The audio version is EXCELLENT. I think listening to a narrator who can do the accents increased my enjoyment of this book.
My favorite lesson in this book is that every single person "has a story." Everyone has a background, a culture, a history etc that informs what they do. It makes sense that humans categorize others, it's part of what we do to determine if we think we're safe. But I do believe that many of us take judgment too far.
This book is interesting in that the main family is Sri Lankan and poor, living in the U.S. The boy and his sister are very close and both feel obligated to do extra well in school to please their parents.
Peer pressure causes Ajay (pronounced uh-jay) to steal a candy bar from a convenience store. He is wracked with guilt. One big twist in the story is that the candy bar he took happens to be a contest winner... $1,000,000.
Why doesn't Ajay cash in the prize? Why does he keep the prize a secret, even from his sister? How does a rich girl at school named Mindy get involved?
This is a terrific book for middle school students to read with a lot of topics worth discussing, not the least of which is the meaning of Robert Frost's poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. "...and miles to go before I sleep."
My favorite lesson in this book is that every single person "has a story." Everyone has a background, a culture, a history etc that informs what they do. It makes sense that humans categorize others, it's part of what we do to determine if we think we're safe. But I do believe that many of us take judgment too far.
This book is interesting in that the main family is Sri Lankan and poor, living in the U.S. The boy and his sister are very close and both feel obligated to do extra well in school to please their parents.
Peer pressure causes Ajay (pronounced uh-jay) to steal a candy bar from a convenience store. He is wracked with guilt. One big twist in the story is that the candy bar he took happens to be a contest winner... $1,000,000.
Why doesn't Ajay cash in the prize? Why does he keep the prize a secret, even from his sister? How does a rich girl at school named Mindy get involved?
This is a terrific book for middle school students to read with a lot of topics worth discussing, not the least of which is the meaning of Robert Frost's poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. "...and miles to go before I sleep."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
No Purchase Necessary is an enjoyable and educational read for the middle school age group. Ajay is in 8th grade and finds himself in the cultural minority of his predominately white class, Since his family is from Sri Lanka, almost every aspect of his upbringing is a bit different from his classmates. When Ajay steals a chocolate bar as part of an attempt to fit in, he finds himself in quite a bind as he's suddenly in possession of the "winning golden ticket" a la Willy Wonka. As Ajay tries to cover his tracks, he digs himself deeper into a hole of lie after lie. With a little help from new friends and some honest conversations with his family, Ajay is able to set himself right again by the end of the novel and learn a few life lessons along the way.
Themes of morality, responsible behaviors, and cultural acceptance are explored in this novel. Overall, I found No Purchase Necessary to be an insightful YA novel that would fit in many middle school Literature classes.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Childrens Publishing for the chance to read this novel.
Themes of morality, responsible behaviors, and cultural acceptance are explored in this novel. Overall, I found No Purchase Necessary to be an insightful YA novel that would fit in many middle school Literature classes.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Childrens Publishing for the chance to read this novel.
February 8, 2025
Ajay Anthonipillai has a million dollar problem.
💰
A new school has Ajay looking for friends, but finding bullies instead who tell him to steal a Mercury chocolate bar from Scary Al’s convenience store. Ajay is a good kid: he follows the rules set by his parents and wants to be top student in school again this year, but the guilt is killing him. It’s even worse when he discovers the candy bar has a prize of $1 million! Since it’s stolen, Ajay knows he can’t claim it, despite the fact that his family could really use the money. Faced with this moral dilemma, Ajay must decide if coming clean is the way to go or finding another solution.
🍫
What a great MG debut follows a kid who made a mistake and struggles to fix it in his own way. Many students will relate to Ajay’s family and his story. I laughed out loud several times and was so happy to see Sri Lankan representation. I highly recommend this story that’s out now!
CW: classism, bullying, theft, racism, racial slurs
3.75 ⭐️ wish I would have gotten more with the side characters
💰
A new school has Ajay looking for friends, but finding bullies instead who tell him to steal a Mercury chocolate bar from Scary Al’s convenience store. Ajay is a good kid: he follows the rules set by his parents and wants to be top student in school again this year, but the guilt is killing him. It’s even worse when he discovers the candy bar has a prize of $1 million! Since it’s stolen, Ajay knows he can’t claim it, despite the fact that his family could really use the money. Faced with this moral dilemma, Ajay must decide if coming clean is the way to go or finding another solution.
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What a great MG debut follows a kid who made a mistake and struggles to fix it in his own way. Many students will relate to Ajay’s family and his story. I laughed out loud several times and was so happy to see Sri Lankan representation. I highly recommend this story that’s out now!
CW: classism, bullying, theft, racism, racial slurs
3.75 ⭐️ wish I would have gotten more with the side characters
May 14, 2025
Ajay is trying his best to live up to his parents’ expectations that he maintain high grades and be named student of the year at the end of 8th grade. However, Ajay is struggling socially since popular kid Jacob and his cronies are constantly teasing and belittling him, making it hard to make any friends. So when Jacob challenges Ajay to steal a candy bar from the convenience store near their school, Ajay does it in hopes that his social life can become bearable. Jacob then turns around and refuses the candy bar. When Ajay opens the candy he finds out he is now the winner of a one million dollar grand prize. How can Ajay claim the prize when he never paid for the candy bar? How many lies will he have to tell before his guilty conscience makes him crumble? This realistic fiction middle grade novel does a great job of exploring ethics, family, friendship, and the immigrant experience with a gripping plot and a main character you want to root for throughout. Highly recommended for any library serving students in grades 4th through 9th.
December 7, 2025
Ajay is trying to fit in at his new school, but at the same time, he needs to look out for, and possibly sabotage, any rival students who might be in competition for Student of the Year because his immigrant Sri Lankan parents expect that he will be top of his class at all times. At the same time, Ajay is tired of being picked on so he accepts a dare from a bully in hopes of appeasing the boy and deflecting his bullying. His acceptance of the dare and the ever-widening ripples from the action bring much heartache but also new relationships and new opportunities. After breaking one of the family rules in accepting the dare, Ajay begins a chain of rule-breaking that he never could have foreseen. Ajay and his younger sister are very believable characters who can't maintain their parents' loving yet perfectionist standards and make the inevitable mistakes, which, nevertheless have power to strengthen their family. I found the story to be slow to start but very engaging and relatable after persisting through the first couple of chapters
September 23, 2024
I thought this was a very bingeable middle grade book that tackles common stereotypes found for the age range such as bullying, first crushes, and judging people based on how they present themselves. From the first chapter, Maria Marianaygam is able to set up Ajay's character and establish the family dynamics and person of color immigrant angle. The bullying seen in Jacob's character and his dynamic authentically portrays what the children of immigrants and those who want to fit in include such as being ashamed of the "non-white smelly" foods etc. I liked how the book focused on one major theme which was making new friends in the unlikely of places. I think it is an important scene every middle schooler is beginning to understand now that they're older.
This was more of a character driven narrative than plot driven so I wouldn't recommend unless you're seeking a feel good cute easy to read recommendation.
This was more of a character driven narrative than plot driven so I wouldn't recommend unless you're seeking a feel good cute easy to read recommendation.
December 30, 2024
Ajay has a problem.
Ajay has lived his life appropriately and always follows the rules of his parents: Straight As only, there's no such thing as a no-homework day, never watch scary movies etc.
Ajay is at a new school and is struggling to get on the good side of school bully, Jacob. When Jacob asks him to steal a chocolate bar from a local convenience store, Ajay thinks this will help him with his problem. Jacob does not take the bar leaving it to Ajay who eats it and learns he is the million dollar winner.
Ajay is struggling with the guilt of stealing the bar and making sure his family is financially secure. What is he going to do?
I loved this middle grade read and loved Ajay! The struggles he faces on supporting his family or to do what is morally right, kept me reading way past my bed time. I think it focuses on important themes such as school, family, friends, doing what is right, etc.
Ajay has lived his life appropriately and always follows the rules of his parents: Straight As only, there's no such thing as a no-homework day, never watch scary movies etc.
Ajay is at a new school and is struggling to get on the good side of school bully, Jacob. When Jacob asks him to steal a chocolate bar from a local convenience store, Ajay thinks this will help him with his problem. Jacob does not take the bar leaving it to Ajay who eats it and learns he is the million dollar winner.
Ajay is struggling with the guilt of stealing the bar and making sure his family is financially secure. What is he going to do?
I loved this middle grade read and loved Ajay! The struggles he faces on supporting his family or to do what is morally right, kept me reading way past my bed time. I think it focuses on important themes such as school, family, friends, doing what is right, etc.
July 10, 2025
I need to start this off acknowledging that I'm neither the intended audience for this nor am I in the socio-ethnic group this is written about. My experiences with life are very different than any of the characters in this book and that is shaping how I interact with this story and how I feel about it.
This title is written as an ode to the South Asian community and the experience of growing up in an immigrant household. The pressures put on the children and how the parents react to their children interacting with and integrating themselves into the community they find themselves in are both commonplace in stories about middle-grade immigrant households. The sheer amount of lying and manipulation and fear surrounding the relationship with the parents made me incredibly uncomfortable to endure every interaction.
I can appreciate who this is written for and what it's about... btu it's a no from me.
This title is written as an ode to the South Asian community and the experience of growing up in an immigrant household. The pressures put on the children and how the parents react to their children interacting with and integrating themselves into the community they find themselves in are both commonplace in stories about middle-grade immigrant households. The sheer amount of lying and manipulation and fear surrounding the relationship with the parents made me incredibly uncomfortable to endure every interaction.
I can appreciate who this is written for and what it's about... btu it's a no from me.
January 5, 2026
Ajay is an overachieving 8th grader, desperate to please his strict Tamil parents and (unsuccessfully) navigating the tricky social waters of middle school. He’s targeted by popular kid Jacob to steal a candy bar from “Scary Al’s” convenience store, and, with a good deal of dread and self-loathing, Ajay complies. To Ajay’s shock, he discovers this candy bar - the one he stole - contains a million dollar prize.
Ajay wrestles with the morality of his choices and questions whether to be honest with his family. One big plus of the book was the portrayal of Ajay’s Sri Lankan family - they are hardworking, fiercely loyal, honorable people with a strong Catholic faith. Ajay comes to understand that though he views his parents as overbearing, he has neglected to see they are also loving, self-sacrificing parents.
I loved the virtues and the strong representation of a Sri Lankan Christian family. Unfortunately, I think I came to love what this book *represents* more than the story itself.
Ajay wrestles with the morality of his choices and questions whether to be honest with his family. One big plus of the book was the portrayal of Ajay’s Sri Lankan family - they are hardworking, fiercely loyal, honorable people with a strong Catholic faith. Ajay comes to understand that though he views his parents as overbearing, he has neglected to see they are also loving, self-sacrificing parents.
I loved the virtues and the strong representation of a Sri Lankan Christian family. Unfortunately, I think I came to love what this book *represents* more than the story itself.
July 5, 2025
5 enthusiastic stars! I love a book with a good moral dilemma, and this dilemma will hook the most reluctant reader. Ajay is bullied into stealing a candy bar by a boy at his new school but then discovers the candy bar is the one marked for a million dollar prize. One lie leads to another, and Ajay's life swings between guilt and new friends and experiences.
I was reminded of two books as I read this one. First, Ajay dealing with his tormentor and trying to figure out how to do the right thing reminded me of Kareem Between, a favorite verse novel in my middle school classroom library. Second, it was refreshing to see faith and church portrayed positively as in another one of my favorites, Simon Sort of Says. Other teachers in Christian schools should be thrilled to add this to their collection.
I was reminded of two books as I read this one. First, Ajay dealing with his tormentor and trying to figure out how to do the right thing reminded me of Kareem Between, a favorite verse novel in my middle school classroom library. Second, it was refreshing to see faith and church portrayed positively as in another one of my favorites, Simon Sort of Says. Other teachers in Christian schools should be thrilled to add this to their collection.
April 23, 2025
Ajay is at a new school. At his last school, he did not have friends but did compete with another boy to be best student. Ajay’s parents expect a lot of him and his sister. Another boy begins to threaten Ajay, and tells him to steal a candy bar from Scary Al’s. Ajay does, and when the other student refuses to take the candy bar because Ajay hid it in his pants, Ajay rips open the package and eats it. He finds out that the candy bar was the winner of a million dollar prize. Now he has to figure out how to redeem it without admitting that he stole it. It turns out that his sister has secrets, too. And he is interested in a girl. A good look at parental expectations and being true to yourself and holding yourself up to your own standards.
May 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5. Ajay abides by his super-strict Tamil family’s rules, always being the dutiful son and straight-A student in his quest to be named Top Student each year. But when a bully asks him to steal a chocolate bar from a local shop for him, Ajay does it. Even worse, the kid doesn’t want it. And then, Ajay discovers that the bar has a winning contest ticket in it - for one million dollars. Feeling guilty, he gets a job working for the grumpy shop owner he stole from, trying to pay him back while piling up lies to his parents. Readers will enjoy his unlikely friendship with Grumpy Al and his crush on Mindy Yu, and may identify with his struggles to please his parents. Recommended for grades 5-7. #mglit #librarian #librariansofinstagram #middleschoollibrarian
March 24, 2025
When Ajay is coerced into stealing a chocolate bar, he is surprised to find out the stolen bar contains the Mercury Mazoo grand prize of a million dollars. Ajay has never stolen anything before but attending a new school (in a new town) and trying to fit in has Ajay weaving a web of lies that threaten to swallow him whole.
It's so easy to root for this karate-loving, movie-enthusiast, over-achieving kid. This fast-paced story explores ethical themes and family relationships alongside a cast of other interesting characters including Scary Al (who doesn't turn out to be so scary after all), Aarthi, Mindy, and Ajay's hardworking parents. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY is a definite must read.
It's so easy to root for this karate-loving, movie-enthusiast, over-achieving kid. This fast-paced story explores ethical themes and family relationships alongside a cast of other interesting characters including Scary Al (who doesn't turn out to be so scary after all), Aarthi, Mindy, and Ajay's hardworking parents. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY is a definite must read.
March 4, 2025
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY perfectly captures the self imposed and family pressures middle school kids feel as they try to navigate their day-to-day lives.
Maria’s writing is captivating and nuanced. While I was hooked on the main character, Ajay’s dilemma I was also keenly aware of how wonderfully Maria wove in the message that we never really know what is going on in the lives of others and that taking the time to listen and learn about others might change our perspectives about them.
Sounds like exactly what the world needs more of right now.
Maria’s writing is captivating and nuanced. While I was hooked on the main character, Ajay’s dilemma I was also keenly aware of how wonderfully Maria wove in the message that we never really know what is going on in the lives of others and that taking the time to listen and learn about others might change our perspectives about them.
Sounds like exactly what the world needs more of right now.
February 2, 2025
No Purchase Necessary is a warmhearted coming-of-age story about figuring out who you want to be and standing up for what’s right. Marianayagam has crafted an enjoyable, humorous, and thoughtful story that sheds light on immigrant struggles and the pressure kids face to be like their peers. This one is perfect for kids who enjoyed Stand Up, Yumi Chung, and other funny web-of-lies stories.
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/no-pur...
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/no-pur...
February 3, 2025
While the bones and themes of the story are all there, it rattles along quickly and never comes to any moments that make the characters feel real- not the lie-spiraling pre-teen that falls off the wagon too hard and fast, not the parents that harden or bend as the story needs, not the friends who grow into new people in moments.
It's not a bad book, but to me as an adult it felt hollow, and with a wealth of great J-fiction out there along similar lines, this one is sadly not a top pick.
It's not a bad book, but to me as an adult it felt hollow, and with a wealth of great J-fiction out there along similar lines, this one is sadly not a top pick.
March 7, 2025
Child of Sri Lankan immigrants steals a chocolate bar to impress some bullies and winds up accidentally winning a Willie Wonka-style contest for a million dollars. I thought this was going to have some humor but it definitely did not — what it did have was lots of anxiety and ethical questions. Not a bad book by any means, but more a book that would get assigned to a kid than one a kid would pick up for fun.
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