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The Dollar Kids
When a family buys a house in a struggling town for just one dollar, they’re hoping to start over — but have they traded one set of problems for another?
Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover, a budding comic-book artist, is still reeling from the shooting death of his friend Abe when he stumbles across an article about a former mill town giving away homes for just one dollar. It not only seems like the perfect escape from Flintlock and all of the awful memories associated with the city, but an opportunity for his mum to run her very own business. Fortunately, his family is willing to give it a try. But is the Dollar Program too good to be true? The homes are in horrible shape, and the locals are less than welcoming. Will Millville and the dollar house be the answer to the Grovers’ troubles? Or will they find they’ve traded one set of problems for another? From the author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things comes a heart-tugging novel about guilt and grief, family and friendship, and, above all, community.
Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover, a budding comic-book artist, is still reeling from the shooting death of his friend Abe when he stumbles across an article about a former mill town giving away homes for just one dollar. It not only seems like the perfect escape from Flintlock and all of the awful memories associated with the city, but an opportunity for his mum to run her very own business. Fortunately, his family is willing to give it a try. But is the Dollar Program too good to be true? The homes are in horrible shape, and the locals are less than welcoming. Will Millville and the dollar house be the answer to the Grovers’ troubles? Or will they find they’ve traded one set of problems for another? From the author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things comes a heart-tugging novel about guilt and grief, family and friendship, and, above all, community.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2018
79 people are currently reading
2208 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Richard Jacobson
44 books183 followersJennifer has spent three decades writing award-winning fiction and nonfiction for children. Amongst her titles are picture books: THIS IS MY ROOM (NO TIGERS ALLOWED) and OH, CHICKADEE!; chapter books: Andy Shane series and Twig and Turtle series; middle grade novels: SMALL AS AN ELEPHANT, PAPER THINGS, THE DOLLAR KIDS, CRASHING IN LOVE; and young adult novels: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF WHY I HATE HER and STAINED. Her awards and honors include ALA Best Books For Young Adults, Publishers Weekly Best Books, NYPL Best Books for Teens, Parents Choice Gold Award, IRA Young Adult’s Choice, ILA Social Justice Award, NTCE Charlotte Huck Honorable Mention, Bank Street Best Books of the Year, and Junior Library Guild Selections as well as many state awards. She lives in mid-coast Maine with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
February 22, 2019
I absolutely loved this.
Lowen is like most kids, except for his penchant for drawing. And feeling guilty for having sent his friend off to his death, callously put.
In an attempt to restart their lives, the Groover family move to Millville and buy a house for a dollar. As long as you don't notice the zeros trailing after the 1 written in invisible ink. Because guess what?
The houses were an absolute wreck. Mold, collapsing ceilings, broken windows, rotting wood and any other misfortune you could imagine. Made me glad for my house.
The book was absolutely adorable, and it's been a long time since I've read middle -school fiction, and this book rightly fits that category. The brand of humour, overall language, and of course the main character determined that right from the start. And I do want to add, the middle-school humour was pretty funny, cute, but funny.
The Groover family grew on me as the story went on. For a better part of the novel I was just trying to figure out their financial status, especially since they had three kids, were able to do a lot of the repairs for the house, but were struggling at the same time. But I digress. The family was relatable, they were a normal bunch for five.
The plot went along smoothly. And I loved the snippets of psychology from the friends, because that is exactly what conversations might have sprung from years ago. A sapling of knowledge from an interesting subscription that grow a conversation.
I will keep the final star off this review, and to myself for no other reason than there being a high possibility of me forgetting the events of this novel. The read is light in its entirety with moments of both the humorous and bleak. And there are comics.
No further comments needed.
Lowen is like most kids, except for his penchant for drawing. And feeling guilty for having sent his friend off to his death, callously put.
In an attempt to restart their lives, the Groover family move to Millville and buy a house for a dollar. As long as you don't notice the zeros trailing after the 1 written in invisible ink. Because guess what?
The houses were an absolute wreck. Mold, collapsing ceilings, broken windows, rotting wood and any other misfortune you could imagine. Made me glad for my house.
The book was absolutely adorable, and it's been a long time since I've read middle -school fiction, and this book rightly fits that category. The brand of humour, overall language, and of course the main character determined that right from the start. And I do want to add, the middle-school humour was pretty funny, cute, but funny.
The Groover family grew on me as the story went on. For a better part of the novel I was just trying to figure out their financial status, especially since they had three kids, were able to do a lot of the repairs for the house, but were struggling at the same time. But I digress. The family was relatable, they were a normal bunch for five.
The plot went along smoothly. And I loved the snippets of psychology from the friends, because that is exactly what conversations might have sprung from years ago. A sapling of knowledge from an interesting subscription that grow a conversation.
I will keep the final star off this review, and to myself for no other reason than there being a high possibility of me forgetting the events of this novel. The read is light in its entirety with moments of both the humorous and bleak. And there are comics.
No further comments needed.
December 21, 2019
Lowen Grover is a comic book artist, but he hasn’t drawn much after his friend was murdered during a shooting at convenience store. His parents, wondering if leaving the city would allow him to heal, applies to buy a foreclosed home for $1 in the tiny town of Millville. However, they soon wonder if the price is too good to be true.
The Dollar Kids has a soft, quiet opening as Lowen’s family applies for the house and then moves. However, the action soon ramps up as they settle into their new lives and meet their new neighbors. And what a cast of characters they are. The town librarian digs holes to bury her regrets. The school athletic coach is constantly recruiting Lowen just so his teams have enough players to officially play. The owner of the local breakfast restaurant radically alters her business to sabotage Lowen’s mother’s takeout place.
Maybe it’s because I’m a recent city transplant back to a rural area, but their reactions to Lowen and his family resonated with me. Their innate distance to new inhabitants seemed natural and even the restaurant sabotage was both frustrating and a realistic response.
At it’s core, this book is about struggle. Lowen struggles with his role in Abe’s death. The family struggles finding their place in their new community. The community itself struggles to thrive. Author Jennifer Richard Jacobson doesn’t shy away from the struggles that stem from finances, marriage, regrets, friends, and death. Yet, she skillfully keeps her characters moving into trajectories that allow them to manage these problems.
This is a quiet read, which I think fills a necessary niche in middle grade literature, and the result is something very special.
Note: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
The Dollar Kids has a soft, quiet opening as Lowen’s family applies for the house and then moves. However, the action soon ramps up as they settle into their new lives and meet their new neighbors. And what a cast of characters they are. The town librarian digs holes to bury her regrets. The school athletic coach is constantly recruiting Lowen just so his teams have enough players to officially play. The owner of the local breakfast restaurant radically alters her business to sabotage Lowen’s mother’s takeout place.
Maybe it’s because I’m a recent city transplant back to a rural area, but their reactions to Lowen and his family resonated with me. Their innate distance to new inhabitants seemed natural and even the restaurant sabotage was both frustrating and a realistic response.
At it’s core, this book is about struggle. Lowen struggles with his role in Abe’s death. The family struggles finding their place in their new community. The community itself struggles to thrive. Author Jennifer Richard Jacobson doesn’t shy away from the struggles that stem from finances, marriage, regrets, friends, and death. Yet, she skillfully keeps her characters moving into trajectories that allow them to manage these problems.
This is a quiet read, which I think fills a necessary niche in middle grade literature, and the result is something very special.
Note: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
March 22, 2018
I cried because there were sad events and frustrating events, and I cried because there were happy and poignant occasions. But I also cried because the book came to an end, and, even though author Jennifer Richard Jacobson gave us a hint into the future, I didn’t want to leave Millville and its inhabitants, both old and new, especially the Dollar Kids.
I don’t know if today’s children of all ages face more challenges than those who came before them or whether, through reading, my eyes have been open to challenges that children face and have always faced. As Jacobson opened our eyes to the plight of homeless children through her memorable character ¬¬¬¬¬Ari in Paper Things, in her new novel Dollar Kids she shows readers the effect of loss and guilt on a young adolescent.
Eleven-year-old Lowen is one of the Dollar Kids whose families move to Millville to take advantage of the dollar houses offered to deserving applicants to restore. Lowen’s family is looking for a new beginning away from the city where his young friend was a victim of a fatal shooting in a grocery store. Lowen feels loss, but he also feels guilt because didn’t he send Abe to the store to get rid of his constant questions and suggestions? This is his secret, and when Lowen, his older brother Clem, his sister Anneth, and his British mum move (father to follow) into the Albatross, their dilapidated dollar house, he struggles with this snake inside him as he also contends with making friends, competing in sports, resuming his drawing, and helping his mother make a success of her new business. As he connects with the Millville inhabitants and reconnects with his family, he learns to find peace in the unseen force.
What I appreciated is the diversity of characters, especially in age. Many authors offer us books that have characters of a particular age, and it has been said that most readers like to read about characters who are at least their age or older. While the main character Lowen is eleven, there are plenty of characters who are younger and older, and an array of both male and female characters. Even the adult characters are diverse and interesting. There are also sports, art, and music, as these characters have an array of talents as well as a range of family situations. But what they all have in common is the hope that Millville will survive, and they find it “takes a village,” working together to make that happen.
Lowen is a cartoonist who finds a place in the town as a caricaturist, and an engaging and effective feature of the novel is the graphics by Ryan Andrews. Lowen uses these comics to manage, and explore, his grief and guilt.
Being from a small town, I can appreciate the Millvillians who know everything about everyone—or so they think, bicker and compete, but can be counted on in a crisis.
I don’t know if today’s children of all ages face more challenges than those who came before them or whether, through reading, my eyes have been open to challenges that children face and have always faced. As Jacobson opened our eyes to the plight of homeless children through her memorable character ¬¬¬¬¬Ari in Paper Things, in her new novel Dollar Kids she shows readers the effect of loss and guilt on a young adolescent.
Eleven-year-old Lowen is one of the Dollar Kids whose families move to Millville to take advantage of the dollar houses offered to deserving applicants to restore. Lowen’s family is looking for a new beginning away from the city where his young friend was a victim of a fatal shooting in a grocery store. Lowen feels loss, but he also feels guilt because didn’t he send Abe to the store to get rid of his constant questions and suggestions? This is his secret, and when Lowen, his older brother Clem, his sister Anneth, and his British mum move (father to follow) into the Albatross, their dilapidated dollar house, he struggles with this snake inside him as he also contends with making friends, competing in sports, resuming his drawing, and helping his mother make a success of her new business. As he connects with the Millville inhabitants and reconnects with his family, he learns to find peace in the unseen force.
What I appreciated is the diversity of characters, especially in age. Many authors offer us books that have characters of a particular age, and it has been said that most readers like to read about characters who are at least their age or older. While the main character Lowen is eleven, there are plenty of characters who are younger and older, and an array of both male and female characters. Even the adult characters are diverse and interesting. There are also sports, art, and music, as these characters have an array of talents as well as a range of family situations. But what they all have in common is the hope that Millville will survive, and they find it “takes a village,” working together to make that happen.
Lowen is a cartoonist who finds a place in the town as a caricaturist, and an engaging and effective feature of the novel is the graphics by Ryan Andrews. Lowen uses these comics to manage, and explore, his grief and guilt.
Being from a small town, I can appreciate the Millvillians who know everything about everyone—or so they think, bicker and compete, but can be counted on in a crisis.
July 8, 2018
Lowen Grover, 12 years old, who feels responsible for Abe’s death, When found about one dollar house, it seems like his only escape to his memories of Abe. His life is in the struggle he even not drawing anymore because it reminds him of Abe.
His family supports him and got a house in Millville for one dollar. The story and people are so realistic, the struggle is real, how difficult it is to move in a town where you are stranger for everyone and people are unwelcoming.
Characters were diverse and well developed. I loved Mr and Mrs Grover, Every middle grade should have this type of parents. Lowen siblings are not that supportive they are too busy in their life.
Sam, her family is also a one dollar family, is one of the interesting character, who is confident and bold and become Lowan friend when he even didn’t want to be friend with someone.
Dylan, a mysterious kid with some history, who doesn’t seem to care about others.
It was sweet, warm and heart touching, a perfect read for Middle-graders. Illustrations were too good. I really enjoyed them and Portrayal of Abe through these.
Only thing I didn’t like is pace in the middle of the book pace was so slow.
His family supports him and got a house in Millville for one dollar. The story and people are so realistic, the struggle is real, how difficult it is to move in a town where you are stranger for everyone and people are unwelcoming.
Characters were diverse and well developed. I loved Mr and Mrs Grover, Every middle grade should have this type of parents. Lowen siblings are not that supportive they are too busy in their life.
Sam, her family is also a one dollar family, is one of the interesting character, who is confident and bold and become Lowan friend when he even didn’t want to be friend with someone.
Dylan, a mysterious kid with some history, who doesn’t seem to care about others.
It was sweet, warm and heart touching, a perfect read for Middle-graders. Illustrations were too good. I really enjoyed them and Portrayal of Abe through these.
Only thing I didn’t like is pace in the middle of the book pace was so slow.
July 5, 2018
#NetGalley #TheDollarKids Available For Purchase August 7, 2018
Lowen Grover recently lost his friend who was killed in a random shooting at a convenience store, a tragedy that Lowen blames himself for since he'd sent his friend there. When Lowen sees an advertisement for $1 houses in exchange for agreeing to fix them up, he jumps at the opportunity to leave behind horrible memories. His family agrees that it might be fun to take part in Millville's experiment to build up their declining town. They fill out an application, in hopes of being chosen to purchase one of the homes.
Lowen's mother has high hopes of contributing to the town by opening a pastry take-out shop. But when the families who are chosen to purchase houses for one dollar arrive, things don't go exactly as they'd hoped. Lowen, his siblings, and the other children come to be known as "the dollar kids." And at this point, that's not necessarily a good title. The townspeople are wary of the newcomers and most aren't too welcoming.
The newcomers find that the town needs the kids to be able to keep their school open as well as to compete in sports with other teams. And sports are a very important recreation for Millville residents.
Each of the Grover children, as well as the adults, have to figure out different ways of being accepted into the community. Mrs. Grover has a competing restaurant, which she is trying to work around and with, but the town, or at least some, are fearful and unaccepting.
What Concerned Me: At the beginning of the book I thought I could see the end coming and it would be a good book, but not too in-depth. Nope. Don't be concerned about that.
For those who might be bothered (can't imagine many) there is a reference to heaven, hell, and death.
What I Liked Most: This covers so many aspects of life: death, guilt, financial problems, accepting change, teamwork, family bonding, friendship, and the list goes on and on.
I'm not usually hooked on a middle grade book, but after I got into this story, it kept drawing me back. The writing is very good and the intertwining of so many things never felt hard to follow or didactic. The characters are developed very well and I was able to easily envision the town of Millville.
I've very glad I got the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book. If your kids aren't old enough to read this themselves, you might want to look through it and decide if it's something that would be good to read to them. I highly recommend it.
Lowen Grover recently lost his friend who was killed in a random shooting at a convenience store, a tragedy that Lowen blames himself for since he'd sent his friend there. When Lowen sees an advertisement for $1 houses in exchange for agreeing to fix them up, he jumps at the opportunity to leave behind horrible memories. His family agrees that it might be fun to take part in Millville's experiment to build up their declining town. They fill out an application, in hopes of being chosen to purchase one of the homes.
Lowen's mother has high hopes of contributing to the town by opening a pastry take-out shop. But when the families who are chosen to purchase houses for one dollar arrive, things don't go exactly as they'd hoped. Lowen, his siblings, and the other children come to be known as "the dollar kids." And at this point, that's not necessarily a good title. The townspeople are wary of the newcomers and most aren't too welcoming.
The newcomers find that the town needs the kids to be able to keep their school open as well as to compete in sports with other teams. And sports are a very important recreation for Millville residents.
Each of the Grover children, as well as the adults, have to figure out different ways of being accepted into the community. Mrs. Grover has a competing restaurant, which she is trying to work around and with, but the town, or at least some, are fearful and unaccepting.
What Concerned Me: At the beginning of the book I thought I could see the end coming and it would be a good book, but not too in-depth. Nope. Don't be concerned about that.
For those who might be bothered (can't imagine many) there is a reference to heaven, hell, and death.
What I Liked Most: This covers so many aspects of life: death, guilt, financial problems, accepting change, teamwork, family bonding, friendship, and the list goes on and on.
I'm not usually hooked on a middle grade book, but after I got into this story, it kept drawing me back. The writing is very good and the intertwining of so many things never felt hard to follow or didactic. The characters are developed very well and I was able to easily envision the town of Millville.
I've very glad I got the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book. If your kids aren't old enough to read this themselves, you might want to look through it and decide if it's something that would be good to read to them. I highly recommend it.
May 8, 2018
How do you get over a death that you feel responsible for? In this book, Lowen, who is a budding cartoonist, feels that he is responsible for the death of Abe, a very pesky younger kid that wants to be his friend, as well as a cartoonist as well. He sends him off to get candy, and while he is at the shop, he is killed in a random shooting.
So, when he comes across a town that is giving away houses for a dollar, he persuades his parents to go for it, and thus he becomes one of the dollar kids, and so begins the second plot of the story, how to fit into a town that doesn’t necessarily want you there.
Lowen isn’t constantly thinking about Abe. As he describes it, it is like a snake that comes up and coils around him.
And the sad thing, is the one thing he loved to do, draw cartoons, reminds him of Abe, because that was what he was trying to do when he sent him off. So, his outlet is not available to him.
And trying to figure out how to deal with it, without dealing with it, is damn near impossible.
What impressed me the most was how well rounded the character of Lowen was. He, like I, when going through a cemetery, checks out the children’s headstones, wondering about their short life, and how they died, and things like that.
Another thing I liked was Sami, who was of Indian discent. She becomes Lowen’s best friend, even though he doesn’t realize it at the time. When one of the people in their new town says that all the jobs have gone to India, and why doesn’t she go back there, she declares that she was born in America, and her parents need jobs just like everyone else does.
A very endearing story of both trying to fit in and trying to get over grief, of the highs and lows of trying to establish yourself in a new town, where there are obsticals thrown in your way because you simply don’t know what everyone who has lived there forever would know.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, when he comes across a town that is giving away houses for a dollar, he persuades his parents to go for it, and thus he becomes one of the dollar kids, and so begins the second plot of the story, how to fit into a town that doesn’t necessarily want you there.
Lowen isn’t constantly thinking about Abe. As he describes it, it is like a snake that comes up and coils around him.
And the sad thing, is the one thing he loved to do, draw cartoons, reminds him of Abe, because that was what he was trying to do when he sent him off. So, his outlet is not available to him.
And trying to figure out how to deal with it, without dealing with it, is damn near impossible.
What impressed me the most was how well rounded the character of Lowen was. He, like I, when going through a cemetery, checks out the children’s headstones, wondering about their short life, and how they died, and things like that.
Another thing I liked was Sami, who was of Indian discent. She becomes Lowen’s best friend, even though he doesn’t realize it at the time. When one of the people in their new town says that all the jobs have gone to India, and why doesn’t she go back there, she declares that she was born in America, and her parents need jobs just like everyone else does.
A very endearing story of both trying to fit in and trying to get over grief, of the highs and lows of trying to establish yourself in a new town, where there are obsticals thrown in your way because you simply don’t know what everyone who has lived there forever would know.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
November 10, 2018
Really loved this, and how it was sort of realistic yet fairy tale like at the same time. The pacing was mostly perfect, with setbacks and triumphs spaced just so, very carefully plotted, and then . . . the end just happened. Like, boom, after all that. It was the perfect ending and so I felt cheated because the whole book was gearing up for like, one page?! And some of it was just too tidy.
July 24, 2018
Good story about regaining your life after a tragic event you hold yourself responsible for. A bit long, but solid novel of a boy,his family, and their dollar house.
July 8, 2018
Interest Level: 5-8
Have you ever had a tragedy in your life, one perhaps that you feel responsible for?Lowen Grover is eleven-years-olds and loves nothing more than to draw, except when his younger neighbor friend bugs him to continue to change his drawings. One day he was getting on Lowen's nerves so he sent him to the corner store to get candy just so that he can have a few minutes of peace. Lowen had no idea that at that exact time a young teenager fed up with life would go on a shooting spree and kill four kids at that same convenience store. No one knows that Lowen sent Abe there to get him out of his hair and no one knows the guilt that Lowen carries. So when Lowen sees an advertisement for a town selling house for $1 in order to get people to move to the dying town, he submits and application and they are accepted. Despite the fact that his sister does not want to move, the family decides to take a chance and go. Lowen's mom is going to open up a Cornish diner, his dad is going to find a doctor to work under, his older brother, Clem, is going to become a sports star, and Lowen is going to escape his guilt. When the Grover's get to their new home things don't go quite the way they had planned. The "albatross" of a house needs so much work, the diner seems to be sabotaged every step of the way, the people are not accepting, of the dollar families, and Lowen's guilt seems to be even higher now that his bedroom overlooks a funeral home. The dollar families only have a year to get the house in order for an inspection and with everything going agains them, will the be able to stay in their new town? Do they even want to stay in the new town? Will Lowen ever get over the guilt that he feels for sending Abe to his death? Don't miss this story of family, friends, overcoming all odds, and shear determination! This is a must read for 2018!
I love this story because there are so many great lessons to learn. This story shows how a family and a town that is divided can come together with friendship and love. Another lesson is to not judge a person to quickly because the one that you think you don't like may just be the one who you need the most. It also teaches that time does heal and grief does not need to be held in. I also love how this book has Lowen's drawings throughout it so every once in a while it feels like a graphic novel. Great book!
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Have you ever had a tragedy in your life, one perhaps that you feel responsible for?Lowen Grover is eleven-years-olds and loves nothing more than to draw, except when his younger neighbor friend bugs him to continue to change his drawings. One day he was getting on Lowen's nerves so he sent him to the corner store to get candy just so that he can have a few minutes of peace. Lowen had no idea that at that exact time a young teenager fed up with life would go on a shooting spree and kill four kids at that same convenience store. No one knows that Lowen sent Abe there to get him out of his hair and no one knows the guilt that Lowen carries. So when Lowen sees an advertisement for a town selling house for $1 in order to get people to move to the dying town, he submits and application and they are accepted. Despite the fact that his sister does not want to move, the family decides to take a chance and go. Lowen's mom is going to open up a Cornish diner, his dad is going to find a doctor to work under, his older brother, Clem, is going to become a sports star, and Lowen is going to escape his guilt. When the Grover's get to their new home things don't go quite the way they had planned. The "albatross" of a house needs so much work, the diner seems to be sabotaged every step of the way, the people are not accepting, of the dollar families, and Lowen's guilt seems to be even higher now that his bedroom overlooks a funeral home. The dollar families only have a year to get the house in order for an inspection and with everything going agains them, will the be able to stay in their new town? Do they even want to stay in the new town? Will Lowen ever get over the guilt that he feels for sending Abe to his death? Don't miss this story of family, friends, overcoming all odds, and shear determination! This is a must read for 2018!
I love this story because there are so many great lessons to learn. This story shows how a family and a town that is divided can come together with friendship and love. Another lesson is to not judge a person to quickly because the one that you think you don't like may just be the one who you need the most. It also teaches that time does heal and grief does not need to be held in. I also love how this book has Lowen's drawings throughout it so every once in a while it feels like a graphic novel. Great book!
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Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.weebly.com/
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
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May 7, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson (@jrjacobson) with illustrations by Ryan Andrews. Thanks to @candlewickpress and @kidlitexchange for this early review copy; this book releases in August! All opinions are my own.
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Lowen Grover and his family are trying to start over after the shooting death of his best friend. When they find out about a Dollar Program, which offers houses for $1 in a run down, rural town, the family jumps at the chance. They're excited when they get accepted, but the dilapidation of the house combined with the unfriendliness of their new neighbors (some of whom still owe on their mortgage) makes them feel like they may have made a mistake. ~*~*~*~*~*
I am a big fan of @jrjacobson books because they are full of heart. I was lucky enough to meet her at a #msla conference a year ago and she's wonderful in person, too! THE DOLLAR KIDS is a heartwarming story about a community that at first rejects, but slowly embraces the idea of change. It's important that there be age-appropriate books for middle school kids on tough topics like gun violence and poverty; THE DOLLAR KIDS addresses those issues and so much more. I simply love the growth of characters in this book, especially Lowen and his sister Anneth. The occasional black and white illustrations (they are supposed to be Lowen's comics) is a nice addition to the story, as well. ~*~*~*~*~*
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~*~*~*~*~*
Lowen Grover and his family are trying to start over after the shooting death of his best friend. When they find out about a Dollar Program, which offers houses for $1 in a run down, rural town, the family jumps at the chance. They're excited when they get accepted, but the dilapidation of the house combined with the unfriendliness of their new neighbors (some of whom still owe on their mortgage) makes them feel like they may have made a mistake. ~*~*~*~*~*
I am a big fan of @jrjacobson books because they are full of heart. I was lucky enough to meet her at a #msla conference a year ago and she's wonderful in person, too! THE DOLLAR KIDS is a heartwarming story about a community that at first rejects, but slowly embraces the idea of change. It's important that there be age-appropriate books for middle school kids on tough topics like gun violence and poverty; THE DOLLAR KIDS addresses those issues and so much more. I simply love the growth of characters in this book, especially Lowen and his sister Anneth. The occasional black and white illustrations (they are supposed to be Lowen's comics) is a nice addition to the story, as well. ~*~*~*~*~*
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June 23, 2018
The Dollar Kids impressed me beyond what middle grade novels do these days, the subject matter is difficult at times but the author couldn’t have been more sensitive and conscientious about what she was writing and truly her writing was beautifully impressive and strong I loved that! I also felt she truly captured the way children think and feel and how the process of guilt, healing and grieving can be is important for kids to understand and it was written in a delicate, relatable and truly beautiful way. It was long but it’s a story filled with hope and new chapters that will stay with me. I loved the creativity that pushed this book along its unlike anything I’ve ever read. I loved the honesty in the relationships between the children’s friendships and the adults with each other. There is so much kids and adults can learn from this book. Seriously can’t thank the publisher and author enough for letting me read this in advance I loved it and I can’t wait to buy it for my 5th grader.
July 30, 2018
Lowen and his family apply to buy a house in Millville for $1. They are ready to move out of the city because Lowen's friend was recently killed in a shooting. When the family is accepted to the dollar program they are not all excited to move, but life in small town Millville quickly grows on the kids.
Millville needs more people. When the mill shut down a lot of people and businesses moved out. So the dollar families are selected because of their children and their skills. The kids are expected to participate in the school to help keep the sports teams going. The parents are expected to participate in the town to help revitalize it. They are also given a year to renovate their dollar houses and make them livable.
Lowen's mom starts the Cornish Eatery. She sells individual takeout pies. She chose a lunch place because the only other restaurant in town only served breakfast. But The Busy Bee obviously doesn't like competition and starts serving lunch and taking away prospective customers. So the family is struggling. The dad can't move to town right away because of the expenses of starting the restaurant and renovating the house. The kids all have to pitch in.
Lowen is also dealing with the grief and guilt of losing his friend. Living next door to the town funeral home doesn't help. But getting involved in sports and making friends does.
I will admit to struggling with this book a bit, but it ended up being worth the read. It is depressing and long. The family has so few successes throughout the novel that I really worried this was going to be one of those rare middle grade books without a happy ending. Because of the struggles the ending actually seemed a bit too happy to me.
I do believe the struggles of moving to a new town, dealing with grief and trying to start a business were very accurately portrayed. I do wonder about the reaction of the towns people though. The two characters that seemed to be the most against the dollar families were both on the town council. They were the ones that approved the program so you would have thought they would have been more supportive and want them to succeed. That was a big misstep for me.
Millville needs more people. When the mill shut down a lot of people and businesses moved out. So the dollar families are selected because of their children and their skills. The kids are expected to participate in the school to help keep the sports teams going. The parents are expected to participate in the town to help revitalize it. They are also given a year to renovate their dollar houses and make them livable.
Lowen's mom starts the Cornish Eatery. She sells individual takeout pies. She chose a lunch place because the only other restaurant in town only served breakfast. But The Busy Bee obviously doesn't like competition and starts serving lunch and taking away prospective customers. So the family is struggling. The dad can't move to town right away because of the expenses of starting the restaurant and renovating the house. The kids all have to pitch in.
Lowen is also dealing with the grief and guilt of losing his friend. Living next door to the town funeral home doesn't help. But getting involved in sports and making friends does.
I will admit to struggling with this book a bit, but it ended up being worth the read. It is depressing and long. The family has so few successes throughout the novel that I really worried this was going to be one of those rare middle grade books without a happy ending. Because of the struggles the ending actually seemed a bit too happy to me.
I do believe the struggles of moving to a new town, dealing with grief and trying to start a business were very accurately portrayed. I do wonder about the reaction of the towns people though. The two characters that seemed to be the most against the dollar families were both on the town council. They were the ones that approved the program so you would have thought they would have been more supportive and want them to succeed. That was a big misstep for me.
May 24, 2023
Un slice of life que me estaba gustando si no fuera porque la trama se estanca mucho y luego tiene un final tan abrupto que incluso unos capitulos antes pensaba que tendria segunda parte porque no estaba teniendo final cerrado y de repente, bam.
July 11, 2018
Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover is a passionate comic artist, at least he was, until his only friend Abe who's usually there when he was drawing and criticizing him, died in a random shooting. After that, Lowen barely draw anymore because it's always reminding him of Abe. Haunted by guilt and grief, all Lowen need is to escape the town he lived in. So when he saw the advertising of one dollar house in a former mill town, it seems like a perfect escape. He proposes the idea to his parents and siblings, and after various considerations they decided to give it a try. But is that really a good choice? Have they traded one set of problems for another?
I must warn you that if you don't have the patience to read a slow pace book then you might won't survive this because the pace is so slow and sligthly boring, at first. Well you know I hate slow paced books too but the good thing is, I always power though, and for once I'm glad that I power through this book and not DNF this. I read the first 250 pages in 3 weeks but then things are getting interesting after that and it only took me 2 days to finish the rest.
Lowen is a very relatable 11 year old boy, ever since Abe died he pushed everyone out of his life, he didn't even do the things he loves anymore, his heart is full of guilt because he feel responsible for Abe's death. It is so painful to read about him because he always surrounded by his sadness. And to watch him grow and actually try to get over the guilt is a story worth reading. His parents are very supportive in any way, even though they struggle in this new town, they always find a way to keep trying. Lowen's siblings Clem and Anneth are unique characters and they are developed so much through the story. There are also many side characters that I found interesting and diverse, Sam is one of the dollar kids and I admire her spirit and intelligence, she always there to help people without complaining. There are so many other characters and they're all very interesting and real.
his book is not just about Lowen and his effort to overcome grief. As soon as they move to the dollar house, the entire family are struggling with their own problems. The story is so real, there are issues that actually exist in real life like gun violence, poverty, harsh neighborhood, and death. And they are told in the most beautiful way. But this book is not only make you cry for the struggle and sad moments, you will also cry for the joy and happy moments that would guaranteed make your heart warm.
I lov the writing style , but there's nothing special about it, in fact I'm a little bit annoyed by the repetition. But there are some comic strips inside this book and I love them so much.
This book is about getting over guilt and grief, about sticking together as a family, hardship, believing in your dream, friendship, and a community. If you don't mind with slow paced books I really recommend you to give this book a try!
I must warn you that if you don't have the patience to read a slow pace book then you might won't survive this because the pace is so slow and sligthly boring, at first. Well you know I hate slow paced books too but the good thing is, I always power though, and for once I'm glad that I power through this book and not DNF this. I read the first 250 pages in 3 weeks but then things are getting interesting after that and it only took me 2 days to finish the rest.
Lowen is a very relatable 11 year old boy, ever since Abe died he pushed everyone out of his life, he didn't even do the things he loves anymore, his heart is full of guilt because he feel responsible for Abe's death. It is so painful to read about him because he always surrounded by his sadness. And to watch him grow and actually try to get over the guilt is a story worth reading. His parents are very supportive in any way, even though they struggle in this new town, they always find a way to keep trying. Lowen's siblings Clem and Anneth are unique characters and they are developed so much through the story. There are also many side characters that I found interesting and diverse, Sam is one of the dollar kids and I admire her spirit and intelligence, she always there to help people without complaining. There are so many other characters and they're all very interesting and real.
his book is not just about Lowen and his effort to overcome grief. As soon as they move to the dollar house, the entire family are struggling with their own problems. The story is so real, there are issues that actually exist in real life like gun violence, poverty, harsh neighborhood, and death. And they are told in the most beautiful way. But this book is not only make you cry for the struggle and sad moments, you will also cry for the joy and happy moments that would guaranteed make your heart warm.
I lov the writing style , but there's nothing special about it, in fact I'm a little bit annoyed by the repetition. But there are some comic strips inside this book and I love them so much.
This book is about getting over guilt and grief, about sticking together as a family, hardship, believing in your dream, friendship, and a community. If you don't mind with slow paced books I really recommend you to give this book a try!
August 14, 2018
*I was provided a free copy of this book from the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.*
The Dollar Kids starts off strong, with the first scene happening in comic-book format; the main character’s friend is shot during a trip to the corner store. It was a bit abrupt for me, and I was worried about how dark the book was going to be overall, but I shouldn’t have worried at all, because while this provides the backdrop for everything that follows, the story as a whole is genuinely heartwarming, focusing on family and the importance of helping others out.
The Grover family decides to buy a house in a small town for just $1 in exchange for them fixing up the house and contributing to helping the town stay afloat, by having their kids participate in school sports and by boosting the local economy. In part, they do it to help Lowen heal from his best friend’s death, but also to get a new start for themselves. They are joined by a few other families who also buy dollar-houses for various reasons.
I loved all the characters in this; I appreciated that Jacobson includes a diverse cast of characters who come from a variety of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. I especially appreciated how finances are dealt with in this story; most of the characters are going through tough times and Jacobson does a good job in portraying the delicate situations that surrounds competing businesses, or how someone can be embarrassed to need help. All of this rang true to me, and I just loved how “real-life” this story seemed. It’s about real issues and is incredibly well constructed.
One of my favorite parts about this novel is that Lowen likes drawing comics; however, after his friend Abe dies, he stops drawing for a while. Except for the beginning scene, we don’t see comics in the first part of the book. However, as Lowen starts to process his trauma and starts to heal from what happened to his friend, we see more of his comics throughout the novel; it’s a brilliant visual way to show Lowen’s growth and healing process and I found it very effective. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and add so much to the story.
There are so many great lessons packed into this story, and it all feels completely organic and just well done. I never once felt like anything was forced just to teach a lesson, which is what makes this book great. It’s genuine and heartwarming and feels so real. I would highly recommend this for any lovers of middle grade and also think it would be an amazing classroom library addition.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
The Dollar Kids starts off strong, with the first scene happening in comic-book format; the main character’s friend is shot during a trip to the corner store. It was a bit abrupt for me, and I was worried about how dark the book was going to be overall, but I shouldn’t have worried at all, because while this provides the backdrop for everything that follows, the story as a whole is genuinely heartwarming, focusing on family and the importance of helping others out.
The Grover family decides to buy a house in a small town for just $1 in exchange for them fixing up the house and contributing to helping the town stay afloat, by having their kids participate in school sports and by boosting the local economy. In part, they do it to help Lowen heal from his best friend’s death, but also to get a new start for themselves. They are joined by a few other families who also buy dollar-houses for various reasons.
I loved all the characters in this; I appreciated that Jacobson includes a diverse cast of characters who come from a variety of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. I especially appreciated how finances are dealt with in this story; most of the characters are going through tough times and Jacobson does a good job in portraying the delicate situations that surrounds competing businesses, or how someone can be embarrassed to need help. All of this rang true to me, and I just loved how “real-life” this story seemed. It’s about real issues and is incredibly well constructed.
One of my favorite parts about this novel is that Lowen likes drawing comics; however, after his friend Abe dies, he stops drawing for a while. Except for the beginning scene, we don’t see comics in the first part of the book. However, as Lowen starts to process his trauma and starts to heal from what happened to his friend, we see more of his comics throughout the novel; it’s a brilliant visual way to show Lowen’s growth and healing process and I found it very effective. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and add so much to the story.
There are so many great lessons packed into this story, and it all feels completely organic and just well done. I never once felt like anything was forced just to teach a lesson, which is what makes this book great. It’s genuine and heartwarming and feels so real. I would highly recommend this for any lovers of middle grade and also think it would be an amazing classroom library addition.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
August 2, 2018
When a family buys a house in a struggling town for just one dollar, they’re hoping to start over — but have they traded one set of problems for another?
Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover, a budding comic-book artist, is still reeling from the shooting death of his friend Abe when he stumbles across an article about a former mill town giving away homes for just one dollar. It not only seems like the perfect escape from Flintlock and all of the awful memories associated with the city, but an opportunity for his mum to run her very own business. Fortunately, his family is willing to give it a try. But is the Dollar Program too good to be true? The homes are in horrible shape, and the locals are less than welcoming. Will Millville and the dollar house be the answer to the Grovers’ troubles? Or will they find they’ve traded one set of problems for another? From the author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things comes a heart-tugging novel about guilt and grief, family and friendship, and, above all, community.
Out August 7, 2018
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
There are many difficult subjects covered in this middle-grade read: Racism, friendship, guilt, grief and depression. Quite the arsenal for young kids to read about. However, the writing is done expertly and simply, giving the story honest substance, written in a delicate manner that will be easy to understand.
There are sad and funny moments and great interaction of characters. This is an endearing book that may strum the heart-strings. Grief is an all-too-real problem in this day and age, striking all ages, and should be address early on in life to enforce coping strategies for the years to come.
The story is a perfect example of the "problem books" that are written more and more using genuine characters to narrate the story through choppy and stormy topics. Have tissue handy, you'll need them.
Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover, a budding comic-book artist, is still reeling from the shooting death of his friend Abe when he stumbles across an article about a former mill town giving away homes for just one dollar. It not only seems like the perfect escape from Flintlock and all of the awful memories associated with the city, but an opportunity for his mum to run her very own business. Fortunately, his family is willing to give it a try. But is the Dollar Program too good to be true? The homes are in horrible shape, and the locals are less than welcoming. Will Millville and the dollar house be the answer to the Grovers’ troubles? Or will they find they’ve traded one set of problems for another? From the author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things comes a heart-tugging novel about guilt and grief, family and friendship, and, above all, community.
Out August 7, 2018
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
There are many difficult subjects covered in this middle-grade read: Racism, friendship, guilt, grief and depression. Quite the arsenal for young kids to read about. However, the writing is done expertly and simply, giving the story honest substance, written in a delicate manner that will be easy to understand.
There are sad and funny moments and great interaction of characters. This is an endearing book that may strum the heart-strings. Grief is an all-too-real problem in this day and age, striking all ages, and should be address early on in life to enforce coping strategies for the years to come.
The story is a perfect example of the "problem books" that are written more and more using genuine characters to narrate the story through choppy and stormy topics. Have tissue handy, you'll need them.
August 8, 2018
I loved the book Paper Things, so when I got an opportunity to read an ARC of Jennifer Richard Jacobson's new novel, The Dollar Kids, I jumped at the chance. There were many themes from Paper Things that also played out in The Dollar Kids, and that pleased me. The themes of poverty, family connections, and perseverance throughout hardship were definitely prevalent in this novel. I loved seeing Millville through the eyes of Lowen and the other "Dollar Kids." A struggling town trying to rebuild itself, while also resisting change.
Even better was the connection seen between Lowen and his family. Often strained, just as all family relations are, they held a deep love and commitment to one another. I enjoyed reading their journey in starting in a new town and restoring their Dollar home.
Lowen's internal struggle and guilt from the death of his young friend, Abe, were raw, true, and believable. I enjoyed reading through his journey. The interjection of comics throughout, drawn by the talented Ryan Andrews, added another level of emotion to his struggle and journey.
Parts of the novel crawled slowly for me in the middle. I found myself putting down the book sooner than I might have at bedtime because I was slightly bored. The end of the book flew quickly for me and I really enjoyed how it ended.
If you are a fan of Jennifer Richard Jacobson's other novels, or even if you're just looking for an uplifting glimpse at family life and the close-knit community of a small town, give The Dollar Kids a try!
**Thank you to Candlewick Press and he Library Thing early reviewers program for providing me a free copy of The Dollar Kids in exchange for an honest review**
Even better was the connection seen between Lowen and his family. Often strained, just as all family relations are, they held a deep love and commitment to one another. I enjoyed reading their journey in starting in a new town and restoring their Dollar home.
Lowen's internal struggle and guilt from the death of his young friend, Abe, were raw, true, and believable. I enjoyed reading through his journey. The interjection of comics throughout, drawn by the talented Ryan Andrews, added another level of emotion to his struggle and journey.
Parts of the novel crawled slowly for me in the middle. I found myself putting down the book sooner than I might have at bedtime because I was slightly bored. The end of the book flew quickly for me and I really enjoyed how it ended.
If you are a fan of Jennifer Richard Jacobson's other novels, or even if you're just looking for an uplifting glimpse at family life and the close-knit community of a small town, give The Dollar Kids a try!
**Thank you to Candlewick Press and he Library Thing early reviewers program for providing me a free copy of The Dollar Kids in exchange for an honest review**
June 14, 2019
Hidden gem. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one!
Lowen feels responsible for his friend's death after he sends his friend on an errand and his friend is murdered. After he sees an ad for $1 homes, he persuades his family to apply in hopes that this would give them a new start. They are accepted and move to the struggling small town under the conditions that they fix the run-down house in one year. Things are more difficult than they imagined though. His mom starts a new restaurant business, and it isn't as profitable as they thought it would be. The house is located next door to a funeral home and repairs aren't coming along well. Plus some of the people in town aren't as welcoming to them. Will they be able to make it in their new town?
The first three pages - which were comics - grabbed my attention from the beginning. I appreciated the way the author used those cartoons to show the loss of Lowen's friend. It was different and heart-breaking. (Lowen is an artist, and there are other comics interspersed throughout the story.)
I loved the unique storyline. I wonder if any towns have done this or something similar, and if so, how they turned out. It is an interesting premise. This certainly made me think as many small towns are facing similar situations. I also appreciate that Lowen's mom is British as it adds a little something to the story.
Recommended for 5th-8th grade students.
4.5 stars. I'm bumping this up to 5 because the more I think about it, the more I like it! I just wish it had a stronger cover.
Lowen feels responsible for his friend's death after he sends his friend on an errand and his friend is murdered. After he sees an ad for $1 homes, he persuades his family to apply in hopes that this would give them a new start. They are accepted and move to the struggling small town under the conditions that they fix the run-down house in one year. Things are more difficult than they imagined though. His mom starts a new restaurant business, and it isn't as profitable as they thought it would be. The house is located next door to a funeral home and repairs aren't coming along well. Plus some of the people in town aren't as welcoming to them. Will they be able to make it in their new town?
The first three pages - which were comics - grabbed my attention from the beginning. I appreciated the way the author used those cartoons to show the loss of Lowen's friend. It was different and heart-breaking. (Lowen is an artist, and there are other comics interspersed throughout the story.)
I loved the unique storyline. I wonder if any towns have done this or something similar, and if so, how they turned out. It is an interesting premise. This certainly made me think as many small towns are facing similar situations. I also appreciate that Lowen's mom is British as it adds a little something to the story.
Recommended for 5th-8th grade students.
4.5 stars. I'm bumping this up to 5 because the more I think about it, the more I like it! I just wish it had a stronger cover.
June 9, 2018
Netgalley provided me a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoy Jennifer Richard Jacobson's middle grade stuff--both Small as an Elephant and Paper Things are among my go-to recommendations for realistic middle grade fiction.
And while I enjoyed the story in this one, as well (families are allowed to purchase houses for $1 in an effort to jump-start a dying town), it suffered to some extent from pacing issues. Some chapters take place a month later, some later the same day...and because the entire story spans a year as the Dollar Kids and their families strive to improve their houses and build their businesses, some story lines seemed drawn out (mysterious Dylan, the restaurant rivalry) and some plot lines felt like unimportant fillers (the Luna story line, the excessive sports scenes).
It's definitely going in my middle school library, but it's just not as strong as some of Jacobson's other work.
I really enjoy Jennifer Richard Jacobson's middle grade stuff--both Small as an Elephant and Paper Things are among my go-to recommendations for realistic middle grade fiction.
And while I enjoyed the story in this one, as well (families are allowed to purchase houses for $1 in an effort to jump-start a dying town), it suffered to some extent from pacing issues. Some chapters take place a month later, some later the same day...and because the entire story spans a year as the Dollar Kids and their families strive to improve their houses and build their businesses, some story lines seemed drawn out (mysterious Dylan, the restaurant rivalry) and some plot lines felt like unimportant fillers (the Luna story line, the excessive sports scenes).
It's definitely going in my middle school library, but it's just not as strong as some of Jacobson's other work.
Read
October 20, 2017Candlewick described this book as a boy who turns back to comics to heal from the guilt of a brother's death and the challenges of getting a fresh start in a new town.
Eeeek, these titles from Candlewick are all deliciously dark this season. I wonder if election panic influenced these acquisition decisions?
Eeeek, these titles from Candlewick are all deliciously dark this season. I wonder if election panic influenced these acquisition decisions?
June 17, 2018
A unique story about fitting in and the difficulties starting over. Great for middle grades.
April 6, 2019
Loved everything about this book. I’ve been on a middle grade book kick (gotta full my classroom library with some good shit) and this has been my favorite for sure.
August 4, 2018
The Dollar Kids is a middle grade novel written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, with illustrations by Ryan Andrews. It is currently scheduled for release on August 7 2018. Twelve-year-old Lowen Grover, a budding comic-book artist, is still reeling from the shooting death of his friend Abe when he stumbles across an article about a former mill town giving away homes for just one dollar. It not only seems like the perfect escape from Flintlock and all of the awful memories associated with the city, but an opportunity for his mum to run her very own business. Fortunately, his family is willing to give it a try. But is the Dollar Program too good to be true? The homes are in horrible shape, and the locals are less than welcoming. Will Millville and the dollar house be the answer to the Grovers’ troubles? Or will they find they’ve traded one set of problems for another?
The Dollar Kids is a story that tackles many issues, and deals with them all in realistic ways as well as heart and hope. Lowen is ready for a new start, and the idea of moving to a new town, fixing up a house, and starting a business seems like just the thing to get him mind of the tragedy that has made him give up drawing and harbor guilt. Things just do not go as plan, they all need to play sports, some look down on them while others seem to want nothing but for them to fail and leave. Thankfully, there are also some people in town that wish them well, and want to save the town. Family conflicts, sibling issues, fitting in, and being true to yourself are all huge parts of the story. I have to admit that it took me a while to become invested in the story. The set up was good, the story line interesting. However, I think the beginning pacing was a little slow, because I put the book down two or three times before finally finishing it. It was not a problem with the actual story, which I found interesting. However, I think the story did a lot more telling than showing, and I did not feel invested in the characters and town until at least half way through the story. I think that is a shame, because by the time I read the last page I was not quite ready to leave Millville and the people that live there. By that point I wanted more, but it took way too long for me to care deeply about the characters and their individual stories.
The Dollar Kids is a story with plenty of heart, and that handles some big issues with grace and hope. I enjoyed the read and think it will be a middle grade staple in school and public libraries.
The Dollar Kids is a story that tackles many issues, and deals with them all in realistic ways as well as heart and hope. Lowen is ready for a new start, and the idea of moving to a new town, fixing up a house, and starting a business seems like just the thing to get him mind of the tragedy that has made him give up drawing and harbor guilt. Things just do not go as plan, they all need to play sports, some look down on them while others seem to want nothing but for them to fail and leave. Thankfully, there are also some people in town that wish them well, and want to save the town. Family conflicts, sibling issues, fitting in, and being true to yourself are all huge parts of the story. I have to admit that it took me a while to become invested in the story. The set up was good, the story line interesting. However, I think the beginning pacing was a little slow, because I put the book down two or three times before finally finishing it. It was not a problem with the actual story, which I found interesting. However, I think the story did a lot more telling than showing, and I did not feel invested in the characters and town until at least half way through the story. I think that is a shame, because by the time I read the last page I was not quite ready to leave Millville and the people that live there. By that point I wanted more, but it took way too long for me to care deeply about the characters and their individual stories.
The Dollar Kids is a story with plenty of heart, and that handles some big issues with grace and hope. I enjoyed the read and think it will be a middle grade staple in school and public libraries.
August 1, 2018
Thank you to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.--- “Did one person’s fortunate always have to come at the expense of someone else?” The Dollar Kids opens with a scene that could be described as familiar and relatable for anyone who grew up with “annoying” younger siblings and neighbors: Loewen Grover tries to enjoy a free moment working on his comics and sketches, but his younger friend and neighbor, Abe, will not stop bothering him with questions. Desperate for some peace and quiet, Loewen give Abe some money and sends him to the store for some candy. The result of this distraction is a scene ripped from today’s headlines: Abe is unexpectedly killed in a shooting that happens at the store. While Loewen and his family are grappling with this tragedy, he learns about the Dollar Program, which enables families to apply and buy a home for just one dollar in hopes of restoring and repairing the city of Millville. His family applies and is accepted, and Loewen couldn’t be more eager to escape his grief by fleeing to a new town. But his family quickly discovers that this project and town is more than they bargained for.
This story is told through the course of the year, which I loved because it allowed to you to see not only the development of the characters, but also the setting itself. Through the character of Loewen, Jennifer Richard Jacobson perfectly captures a difficult aspect of grief: in the face of loss, we always seem to “want” to take responsibility and sink into our feelings of guilt even when the situation is out of our control. Throughout the course of the story, Loewen struggles with these complicated emotions and is surprised to learn of an unexpected person who also feels responsible for his friend’s death. Finally, I loved this story because of its portrayal of community. Communities, whether big or small, will not flourish unless people are open to change and willing to ask, give, and receive help. This novel was equal parts entertaining and heartbreaking. The lessons in this story are real, and I think lots of my students could see themselves in this cast of characters. You will be rooting for Grover family and all of the citizens of Millville until the very last chapter!
This story is told through the course of the year, which I loved because it allowed to you to see not only the development of the characters, but also the setting itself. Through the character of Loewen, Jennifer Richard Jacobson perfectly captures a difficult aspect of grief: in the face of loss, we always seem to “want” to take responsibility and sink into our feelings of guilt even when the situation is out of our control. Throughout the course of the story, Loewen struggles with these complicated emotions and is surprised to learn of an unexpected person who also feels responsible for his friend’s death. Finally, I loved this story because of its portrayal of community. Communities, whether big or small, will not flourish unless people are open to change and willing to ask, give, and receive help. This novel was equal parts entertaining and heartbreaking. The lessons in this story are real, and I think lots of my students could see themselves in this cast of characters. You will be rooting for Grover family and all of the citizens of Millville until the very last chapter!
December 31, 2018
The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson is a heartfelt and unique story. Following the traumatic death of his friend, Lowen Grover encourages his family to leave their urban life and apartment to live in small town Millville, where they are selling several homes for one dollar each in order to bring people into their dying town. The caveat being that the families have to do all necessary repairs on the home. The struggles the families face were realistic and reflected the viewpoint of both the townspeople and the newcomers. I loved the twist of Lowen’s mother being English and starting up the Cornish Eatery (selling Cornish pasties) in this small rural town. Reading the descriptions of the food made me hungry every time. It was also painfully realistic watching Lowen avoid new friendships while realizing he needed them. When he finally opens himself up to friendship, we are able to see so much more to his character. One of my favorite aspects of this book is that we get to know so many of the townspeople. As Lowen gradually unfolds, so does the town. I loved the ending - the empathy that Lowen and the other children show, the family relationships, the cooperative efforts, and the changes in so many of the characters. I love the sense of hope that the reader is left with at the end, after so much uncertainty and conflict throughout the story. And my review would be incomplete if I didn’t mention Lowen’s comics that are sprinkled throughout, depicting so much of his inner struggle and how he is processing what happened to his friend. I also loved the theme of discovering your own talents while being willing to try something new, whether that is sports, art, music, cooking, building, or fashion design. I look forward to sharing this book with my students and colleagues.
January 5, 2019
I went into this book expecting mediocrity, honestly. And while I agree with my friend that it definitely has a simply-wrapped ending, I surprise myself with all the feelings I have about this read. The comicstrip prologue sets up the story in a very simple but profound way, hooking the audience immediately and also setting up lots of motifs before you can realize what is happening. So many things really struck me personally about this book: gun violence; guilt; not fitting in; picking up and making a move that seems too good to be true; realizing it is, in fact, too good to be true; not fitting in... again; working to build a life; buying a house that is in need of a LOT of love; finding friends, solace, love, and joy. I read this book in a day. I absolutely ate it up, and I am glad I did. Even though the end is all smiles and rainbows and repentance and new friendships and success and and and.... I really enjoyed it. I think kids need a bit of that now and again, especially in these times. And so, it would seem, do I.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2022
The Dollar Kids definitely did exceed my expectations.
I noticed not so far into the book that it was all-around fun. Actually, if you read the back, it doesn't sound fun. But it is. It's enjoyably to read about the family adjusting to the life in their new town. And the level of fun stayed stable throughout. It never got boring or bad.
I also thought that some of the main character's comics were very creative. I won't spoil what they are, but they were very refreshing, and I was always excited to get to the next graphic novel section. (Every once in a while, you'll get a page or two of graphic novel.)
Lastly, I thought that one of this book's themes was very unique, in a great way. Like many, there are multiple messages to take in from this read. Some of them felt a little generic to me, but one in particular shone through. But that's another detail you can learn yourself.
When I rate The Dollar Kids five stars, I'm not saying it's one of the most amazing and influential books of all time. But I am saying it's something new and fun, and an experience I'd recommend to all.
I noticed not so far into the book that it was all-around fun. Actually, if you read the back, it doesn't sound fun. But it is. It's enjoyably to read about the family adjusting to the life in their new town. And the level of fun stayed stable throughout. It never got boring or bad.
I also thought that some of the main character's comics were very creative. I won't spoil what they are, but they were very refreshing, and I was always excited to get to the next graphic novel section. (Every once in a while, you'll get a page or two of graphic novel.)
Lastly, I thought that one of this book's themes was very unique, in a great way. Like many, there are multiple messages to take in from this read. Some of them felt a little generic to me, but one in particular shone through. But that's another detail you can learn yourself.
When I rate The Dollar Kids five stars, I'm not saying it's one of the most amazing and influential books of all time. But I am saying it's something new and fun, and an experience I'd recommend to all.
January 12, 2019
Thank you to @kidlitexchange, the author and the publisher for this advance copy of The Dollar Kids. All opinions are my own.
Eleven year old Lowen has a secret - a huge secret that at times feels like it is a “venomous snake quivering inside him, ready to spring at any moment”. It’s a secret he’s never shared with another living soul. It’s a secret about his 9 year old neighbor, Abe. It’s because of Lowen that his neighbor is dead.
Since he was three years old, Lowen has been drawing; He drew everything from vehicles to animals to people, until at the age of eight he discovered cartooning. And since that time, he spent every spare moment creating cartoons. Abe loved watching him. He often would tell Lowen what to draw or correct a panel he’d already created. One afternoon Lowen wanted a little peace to draw uninterrupted, so he sent Abe to the corner store for some Twizzlers. That’s Lowen’s secret. He’s never told anyone he’s the reason Abe was in the store (the store that was against his mom’s rules to visit alone) at the moment a teenager opened fire and killed four kids, including Abe.
Since the shooting, Lowen, stopped drawing, stopped talking much and kept feeling that snake inside of him. His family was grieving, too, for their young neighbor and friend. But then Lowen discovered an online ad about a small town selling homes for a dollar. It’s a town that has lost their main employer, a paper mill and therefore most of its residents. It’s a town that has 8 or ten kids in each grade level. It’s a sports loving town that now can barely scrape together enough kids to have a team. It’s a small rural town that can give a family a new start in life. And now it’s Lowen’s family’s new home, along with four other families.
This is a story about hope, grief, facing your fears, family and most of all community working together. It’s a story that addresses some tough issues such as gun violence and poverty in a realistic, but heartfelt way. It’s a story that helps the reader understand that talking about a problem with someone “safe” can lead to healing. And it’s a story that helps the reader understand that working together with family and community to creatively solve a problem can lead to solutions.
This book will be released August 7. It’s a great choice for readers in grade 4-7 who are looking for a heartfelt and realistic story.
August 6, 2018
I really liked how this story was tackled and not only the issues of the financial security, but also the even more personal side of things that each family was dealing with. We have the ones who moved from Hawaii to start a better life, the female couple wanting to settle their children into small town life for the community it brings, and at the center of it all, the Grover's, though they'd love to be anywhere but in the center of things. The family is making a go of it not simply to find a better life, but to allow their son, Lowen, a chance to move on away from the heartache and bad memories that haunt him. Thing about haunting thoughts...they follow you until they are dealt with and often come to a nasty head before the dust settles...hence the big move, hence the new beginning, hence the dealing with challenges that are beyond what any of them imagined because though it may be hard, it's not as hard as dealing with regrets.
In the end, it gave us a look at our own country's past (depression era as well as those tiny towns transitioning due to technology), as well as the dark parts of our hearts. We want to be giving, we want to be kind, but sometimes it's hard, especially if we feel put out...but if we try to put ourselves in the place of others before we react/respond, the world might just be a better place for it on the end. After all, we all need a friend from time to time to help shoulder the load, and there's nothing wrong with accepting a helping hand, so long as you extend the same when the time comes.
**ARC received for review
In the end, it gave us a look at our own country's past (depression era as well as those tiny towns transitioning due to technology), as well as the dark parts of our hearts. We want to be giving, we want to be kind, but sometimes it's hard, especially if we feel put out...but if we try to put ourselves in the place of others before we react/respond, the world might just be a better place for it on the end. After all, we all need a friend from time to time to help shoulder the load, and there's nothing wrong with accepting a helping hand, so long as you extend the same when the time comes.
**ARC received for review
December 30, 2022
Lowen's family has entered a lottery to buy a house for $1. It may need some repair, and the move will be hard for Lowen's siblings, but he is so excited to start a new life after the shooting death of his best friend. This book did make me cry over the goodness of the characters at the end.
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