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Poplar Kids #1
Payback on Poplar Lane
ABC's Shark Tank meets The Terrible Two when two sixth grade entrepreneurs compete to become top mogul on their block.
Twelve-year-old Peter Gronkowski prides himself on being a professional businessman. Tired of the cliched lemonade stands that line his block, he decides to start a better business with the help of an intern. But his intern of choice, the quiet and writerly Rachel Chambers, turns out to be more than he bargained for. Rachel is innovative, resourceful, driven--and when she's had enough of Peter's overbearing management style, she decides to start a competing empire next door. As their rivalry and sabotage tactics become more outrageous--Slander! Espionage! Lemonade threats!--Peter and Rachel ultimately learn the hard way that "nothing gold can stay" and that friendship is more important than money.
Alternating perspectives reveal what really motivates each character to win. And Peter's memos and "business tips" as well as excerpts from Rachel's melodramatic novel-in-progress generate fresh hilarity and tension at every page turn. Payback on Poplar Lane is a pitch-perfect comedy with heart, reminiscent of your favorite classic middle-grade series.
Twelve-year-old Peter Gronkowski prides himself on being a professional businessman. Tired of the cliched lemonade stands that line his block, he decides to start a better business with the help of an intern. But his intern of choice, the quiet and writerly Rachel Chambers, turns out to be more than he bargained for. Rachel is innovative, resourceful, driven--and when she's had enough of Peter's overbearing management style, she decides to start a competing empire next door. As their rivalry and sabotage tactics become more outrageous--Slander! Espionage! Lemonade threats!--Peter and Rachel ultimately learn the hard way that "nothing gold can stay" and that friendship is more important than money.
Alternating perspectives reveal what really motivates each character to win. And Peter's memos and "business tips" as well as excerpts from Rachel's melodramatic novel-in-progress generate fresh hilarity and tension at every page turn. Payback on Poplar Lane is a pitch-perfect comedy with heart, reminiscent of your favorite classic middle-grade series.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2018
27 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 72 reviews
June 23, 2022
A great book to read aloud with kids that discusses the themes of business ethics and forgiveness.
January 25, 2018
There is a business war on Poplar Lane. It's Peter vs Rachel and they are in it to win it. This story is told from both Peter (with plenty of business tips inserted) and Rachel (with her ongoing saga Tulip and Cyrano). Peter is all about making money and selects next door neighbor Rachel to be his intern. Rachel is a very quiet girl (her self-portrait was a turtle), but she does her best to improve Peter's business. Peter does not appreciate Rachel's efforts and "lets her go" and that is when Rachel sets out to teach Peter a lesson and tried to beat him at his own game. The questions this book presents and answers in a comical way are these: I true success only tied to your income? Is revenge really sweet?
Recommended!
Recommended!
January 7, 2018
*I received a copy of this book from the Kidlitexchange network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Peter’s financial anxiety after his father lost his job turned him into a brilliant and ruthless entrepreneur who took in shy and socially awkward Rachel as an unpaid intern. Unfortunately, Peter’s drive to make profit at all costs ended up costing him his intern who in turn realized she was treated way too poorly and set out to get revenge on her former employer.
The range of emotions this book put me trough left me mentally exhausted by the time I was done reading it. I could smell Peter’s selfishness and greediness from page one and had to wait patiently for Rachel to become the unsuspecting victim, the sheep on which Wolf-Peter was about to feast. I was anxious and upset. When Rachel started on her revenge plan it felt great until things got out of hand and the avalanche of humiliation and embarrassment swept over me.
Going into this book I expected something along the lines of Lemonade Wars but I got more than I bargained for. Everything about the events in the book felt starkly real. I forgot I was reading a middle grade book. There was more to Peter’s drive to make money and there was more to Rachel’s desire to not be invisible anymore.
Life is messy and the author did an incredible job muddying the lines between good and bad, wrong and right.
Peter’s financial anxiety after his father lost his job turned him into a brilliant and ruthless entrepreneur who took in shy and socially awkward Rachel as an unpaid intern. Unfortunately, Peter’s drive to make profit at all costs ended up costing him his intern who in turn realized she was treated way too poorly and set out to get revenge on her former employer.
The range of emotions this book put me trough left me mentally exhausted by the time I was done reading it. I could smell Peter’s selfishness and greediness from page one and had to wait patiently for Rachel to become the unsuspecting victim, the sheep on which Wolf-Peter was about to feast. I was anxious and upset. When Rachel started on her revenge plan it felt great until things got out of hand and the avalanche of humiliation and embarrassment swept over me.
Going into this book I expected something along the lines of Lemonade Wars but I got more than I bargained for. Everything about the events in the book felt starkly real. I forgot I was reading a middle grade book. There was more to Peter’s drive to make money and there was more to Rachel’s desire to not be invisible anymore.
Life is messy and the author did an incredible job muddying the lines between good and bad, wrong and right.
June 25, 2020
This was our first family read-aloud selection of summer vacation, and my kids loved it. I bought it during the Scholastic book fair last fall, and it ended up being slightly advanced for my 8-year-old — I had to explain a lot of the business terminology to him, but that did not impede his enjoyment of the story at all. I caught him reading ahead a couple of times when he was eager to hear what happened next; that said, the book might be better suited for fourth and fifth graders reading independently. The characters were well drawn and the plot was nicely paced. Good thing I also got the sequel!
February 26, 2018
Thank you to @kidlitexchange and Viking Books for the preview copy of Payback on Poplar Lane. All opinions are my own.
I’m giving the book a 4 star review because it was well written and I think that kids will love it. That said, this isn’t the style of book that I would personally gravitate towards. Just putting that out there.
This book was told in alternate 1st person voices between Peter Gronkowski and Rachel Chambers. Peter is an entrepreneur at heart and always out to find a new business that will make him the most amount of money, especially after his father loses his job. Rachel is a shy, bookish girl who people often fail to notice and who has the unfortunate nickname of “puppet” because others always talk for her, especially after a moment of stage-fright. Rachel decides to apply for the job of Peter’s intern and after a short stint, realizes that she is doing all of the work and getting no credit or payment. As the book shifts to being a war between the two business-people, the real meat of the story comes out.
The story alternates between the two characters and allows the reader to get a better sense of why they behave the way that they do. We see their inner workings and watch them change as the battle between businesses progresses. I took an immediate dislike to Peter, which I think is the author’s intent. Peter is completely focused on making money, regardless of who he steps on in order to succeed. Part of his drive to make something of himself comes from his frustration with the fact that his family is not quite as well off as those around him, especially after his father stops working. He is both put off by and embarrassed by generic brands and wants desperately to go to the private school that some of his friends go to.
At the same time, we also learn about Rachel. A shy girl who identifies with turtles and Cyrano de Bergerac (minus the big nose), she feels like a side-kick and afterthought to her best friend and decides to step up to be Peter’s intern. Rachel’s transformation starts much earlier then Peter’s, and perhaps that is why she seems more human. While working for Peter she realizes that she wants to matter and wants to be acknowledged, something that resounded with me. She gets swept up in the battle to stand out and be noticed and turns into a person she doesn’t like, willing to lie just to make a sale and be noticed.
There were times where I felt like I was getting emotional whiplash from the alternating voices, but I think that younger readers will feel less of that. While we seem to have fewer “neighborhoods” like the one described in the story, the cul-de-sac microcosm completely worked for this tale. Fans of The Lemonade War and The Candymakers will probably enjoy this comical story of kids trying to make a name for themselves and maybe some money at the same time.
I’m giving the book a 4 star review because it was well written and I think that kids will love it. That said, this isn’t the style of book that I would personally gravitate towards. Just putting that out there.
This book was told in alternate 1st person voices between Peter Gronkowski and Rachel Chambers. Peter is an entrepreneur at heart and always out to find a new business that will make him the most amount of money, especially after his father loses his job. Rachel is a shy, bookish girl who people often fail to notice and who has the unfortunate nickname of “puppet” because others always talk for her, especially after a moment of stage-fright. Rachel decides to apply for the job of Peter’s intern and after a short stint, realizes that she is doing all of the work and getting no credit or payment. As the book shifts to being a war between the two business-people, the real meat of the story comes out.
The story alternates between the two characters and allows the reader to get a better sense of why they behave the way that they do. We see their inner workings and watch them change as the battle between businesses progresses. I took an immediate dislike to Peter, which I think is the author’s intent. Peter is completely focused on making money, regardless of who he steps on in order to succeed. Part of his drive to make something of himself comes from his frustration with the fact that his family is not quite as well off as those around him, especially after his father stops working. He is both put off by and embarrassed by generic brands and wants desperately to go to the private school that some of his friends go to.
At the same time, we also learn about Rachel. A shy girl who identifies with turtles and Cyrano de Bergerac (minus the big nose), she feels like a side-kick and afterthought to her best friend and decides to step up to be Peter’s intern. Rachel’s transformation starts much earlier then Peter’s, and perhaps that is why she seems more human. While working for Peter she realizes that she wants to matter and wants to be acknowledged, something that resounded with me. She gets swept up in the battle to stand out and be noticed and turns into a person she doesn’t like, willing to lie just to make a sale and be noticed.
There were times where I felt like I was getting emotional whiplash from the alternating voices, but I think that younger readers will feel less of that. While we seem to have fewer “neighborhoods” like the one described in the story, the cul-de-sac microcosm completely worked for this tale. Fans of The Lemonade War and The Candymakers will probably enjoy this comical story of kids trying to make a name for themselves and maybe some money at the same time.
February 12, 2023
Payback on Poplar Lane was a pretty good book. I only rated it four stars because I thought it was a little bit confusing. The reason for that is because the book kept introducing more and more characters. It was hard to keep all of the characters strait. Also, I think the book sets a bad example for young kids. The book gives a message like you have to get revenge on people when they do something bad.
July 15, 2017
Really funny and engaging. One of the best books of 2018. You will love it.
January 7, 2018
54 pages was all I could read. Peter attempts to be a sixth grade business success seemed forced and uninteresting and Rachel’s Cyrano story was childish-sounding and while it is supposed to be a tale written by a child, it likely would not appeal to my 4th and 5th grade library patrons. Thanks, Eidelweiss Plus, for the digital ARC, but this will not be one that I purchase for my two school libraries.
November 27, 2017
While not entirely to my personal tastes, Poplar Lane was cute and funny - a solid middle-grade read that fans of Lemonade War and the Stuart Gibbs books will probably enjoy. The children, particularly Peter, lacked depth to me, and his moment of realization was a little too clean, but for a kids book it works, and isn't so bad that it felt like it was talking down to the reader.
February 16, 2018
Remember when you were a kid and started your own business? Even if you didn't, the image of a kid's lemonade stand should be easily imaginable and what happens in Payback on Poplar Lane goes far beyond a simple drink stand.
While there was a lot of humor in the book, there were also a lot of scenes that made me equal parts sad and frustrated. Peter is overbearing in his business practices and recitations of "business tips", but when it's his turn to tell the story, you get insight into why he is the way he is. His father was laid off and this spurned in Peter the need to be successful, to help his family, and I think he took it a little far and forgot to be a kid, but I understood the feeling. Peter's family might not be as poor as some, but the changes they had to make, such as drinking non-name brands and not having dinner out anymore, would certainly be a shock to a kid's system, their sense of continuity. Peter is so preoccupied with protecting himself, with "stepping up as breadwinner of the family", that he takes on far too much for a child and forgets to experience life as a kid while he still can.
I didn't like Peter at all because he tended to be too harsh and critical, particularly of his father, but I understood where he was coming from.
Where he and Rachel had some similarities was in their worry about how others regarded them. For Peter it was how much money his family had, how they had leftover nights and he couldn't go to the Poplar Prep school. For Rachel, it was in regards to her quite nature and the desire to blend in.
As Payback on Poplar Lane begins, Rachel is really withdrawn, both with her contemporaries and with her best friend. It affects her in relationships, such as the unfortunate one she develops when she becomes Peter's intern. However, her strength starts to shine when she realizes that she wants to matter and it's not just about mattering to others. It's about standing up for herself, for her ideas, and the hard work she puts into what she's involved in, whether a fortune telling business or an interactive "gold" digging adventure.
The kids, from the two main characters to the wide cast of side characters, were fun and modern. They were a pleasure to read about because I didn't get bored or bogged down with any of them. The adults as side characters were not a big part of the story in action, but their presence was felt: Peter's father and his job struggles, Rachel's deceased mother, etc. Everyone had a reason for being on the page and I liked that.
Payback on Poplar Lane was a fun middle grade read that will appeal to a wide readership.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
While there was a lot of humor in the book, there were also a lot of scenes that made me equal parts sad and frustrated. Peter is overbearing in his business practices and recitations of "business tips", but when it's his turn to tell the story, you get insight into why he is the way he is. His father was laid off and this spurned in Peter the need to be successful, to help his family, and I think he took it a little far and forgot to be a kid, but I understood the feeling. Peter's family might not be as poor as some, but the changes they had to make, such as drinking non-name brands and not having dinner out anymore, would certainly be a shock to a kid's system, their sense of continuity. Peter is so preoccupied with protecting himself, with "stepping up as breadwinner of the family", that he takes on far too much for a child and forgets to experience life as a kid while he still can.
I didn't like Peter at all because he tended to be too harsh and critical, particularly of his father, but I understood where he was coming from.
Where he and Rachel had some similarities was in their worry about how others regarded them. For Peter it was how much money his family had, how they had leftover nights and he couldn't go to the Poplar Prep school. For Rachel, it was in regards to her quite nature and the desire to blend in.
As Payback on Poplar Lane begins, Rachel is really withdrawn, both with her contemporaries and with her best friend. It affects her in relationships, such as the unfortunate one she develops when she becomes Peter's intern. However, her strength starts to shine when she realizes that she wants to matter and it's not just about mattering to others. It's about standing up for herself, for her ideas, and the hard work she puts into what she's involved in, whether a fortune telling business or an interactive "gold" digging adventure.
The kids, from the two main characters to the wide cast of side characters, were fun and modern. They were a pleasure to read about because I didn't get bored or bogged down with any of them. The adults as side characters were not a big part of the story in action, but their presence was felt: Peter's father and his job struggles, Rachel's deceased mother, etc. Everyone had a reason for being on the page and I liked that.
Payback on Poplar Lane was a fun middle grade read that will appeal to a wide readership.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2018
Well I seriously enjoyed that. The only reason I gave 4 and not 5 stars is because it was a bit too long for a YA book for me (even though it was a fast read). So this is actually a great read about how corporate greed destroys relationships. (I don’t think that’s a spoiler) Peter and Rachel are neighbors, Peter is trying to build a successful business for a mysterious purpose but he takes all his business advice from this really obnoxious self-made businessman who owns half the town or something. Rachel likens herself to Cyrano from the play Cyrano de Bergerac the overlooked underappreciated friend nobody ever notices. She goes to work for Peter in an attempt to “stand out” but things don’t work out. So then she decides to go head to head with Peter and she takes advice from a get rich quick motivational speaker.
I’m not sure if it’s a realistic portrayal of middle-schoolers because I come from a completely different culture and here most kids just want to watch tv all day during school holidays. But I do like the way the kids thinking is presented, they do feel like an 11 yr old would come up with this stuff. I liked Daniel the 4yr old little brother of Peter especially the bit at the end no spoilers but “How to talk to Girls”.
I did love the use of technology in this one. Sometimes you don’t realize how much the internet and social media affects the younger generation (I mean yes teens and millennial are practically fused to devices) but especially the tweens. A lot of their interactions were connected to the internet and make sense logically (do kids even know what encyclopedias are these days). I was just a little concerned their parents didn’t show more concern over their kids choices of mentors and that their (the mentors) questionable tactics were so easily available to the kids.
Well everything gets sorted out in the end I was a little disappointed Peter and Rachel didn’t go into business together, but then given both of their tendencies towards power hungry greed I think that is for the best
I’m not sure if it’s a realistic portrayal of middle-schoolers because I come from a completely different culture and here most kids just want to watch tv all day during school holidays. But I do like the way the kids thinking is presented, they do feel like an 11 yr old would come up with this stuff. I liked Daniel the 4yr old little brother of Peter especially the bit at the end no spoilers but “How to talk to Girls”.
I did love the use of technology in this one. Sometimes you don’t realize how much the internet and social media affects the younger generation (I mean yes teens and millennial are practically fused to devices) but especially the tweens. A lot of their interactions were connected to the internet and make sense logically (do kids even know what encyclopedias are these days). I was just a little concerned their parents didn’t show more concern over their kids choices of mentors and that their (the mentors) questionable tactics were so easily available to the kids.
Well everything gets sorted out in the end I was a little disappointed Peter and Rachel didn’t go into business together, but then given both of their tendencies towards power hungry greed I think that is for the best
April 8, 2018
Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 3.7
@kidlitexchange #partner Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Have you ever had your own lemonade stand? Did you get that excited rush of adrenaline when you made your first dollar? Well that is Peter Gronkowski, but he is not stopping at a dollar, he wants to make millions. Peter lives in a cul-de-sac and always has a some type of business for him to make money. The problem is that Peter eats, sleeps, and breathes his business and learning how to be a extraordinary business entrepreneur. He doesn't have time for his family, his friends, or his school work. He is so busy that he decides that he needs an intern to do all the dirty work. This is where Rachel Chambers comes in. Rachel lives next door to Peter and no one even knows her name, no one except her best friend, Clover, and even to Clover she is sometimes overlooked. Rachel is so tired of not having a voice of her own that she decides to apply for the internship. Peter is anything but a good boss, but before she can quite, she is fired. This infuriates Rachel and she is bent on revenge. She decides to open her own business and do it better than Peter. Things soon turn very ugly in the cul-de-sac and these two will have to hit "rock" bottom before they learn that money and fame are not all it's cracked up to be. Will these two get their acts together and bring peace to Poplar Lane, or will they lose friends, fame, and money?
This is a must read book! There are times that you will laugh out loud, times you will be a little angry with these characters, and times you will want to stand up and cheer them on. I can not wait for spring of 2019 to read more from these kids of Poplar Lane!!
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@kidlitexchange #partner Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Have you ever had your own lemonade stand? Did you get that excited rush of adrenaline when you made your first dollar? Well that is Peter Gronkowski, but he is not stopping at a dollar, he wants to make millions. Peter lives in a cul-de-sac and always has a some type of business for him to make money. The problem is that Peter eats, sleeps, and breathes his business and learning how to be a extraordinary business entrepreneur. He doesn't have time for his family, his friends, or his school work. He is so busy that he decides that he needs an intern to do all the dirty work. This is where Rachel Chambers comes in. Rachel lives next door to Peter and no one even knows her name, no one except her best friend, Clover, and even to Clover she is sometimes overlooked. Rachel is so tired of not having a voice of her own that she decides to apply for the internship. Peter is anything but a good boss, but before she can quite, she is fired. This infuriates Rachel and she is bent on revenge. She decides to open her own business and do it better than Peter. Things soon turn very ugly in the cul-de-sac and these two will have to hit "rock" bottom before they learn that money and fame are not all it's cracked up to be. Will these two get their acts together and bring peace to Poplar Lane, or will they lose friends, fame, and money?
This is a must read book! There are times that you will laugh out loud, times you will be a little angry with these characters, and times you will want to stand up and cheer them on. I can not wait for spring of 2019 to read more from these kids of Poplar Lane!!
Follow me:
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
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January 12, 2019
Thank you to @kidlitexchange and Viking Books for the preview copy of Payback on Poplar Lane. All opinions are my own.
✨
Peter is twelve years old and is the business whiz of Poplar Lane. You may think that means he runs a lemonade stand, but Peter would NEVER stoop that low. That’s for amateurs! Instead he sells maps of Poplar Lane. At least he did, until he decided to launch a new business, Fabulous Fortunes and this time around he’s going to employ an unpaid intern to do most of the work. And that intern, is his next door neighbor, Rachel. Rachel’s nickname is puppet, because Rachel’s best friend Clover always speaks for Rachel or tells Rachel what to do and say, but Rachel loves to write and yearns to be noticed by her neighbors and classmates. She’s hopeful this internship just might lead to those around her actually seeing and hearing her for a change!
This story is told in the first person by the alternating voices of Peter and Rachel. Very early on in the story I found myself rooting for Rachel and really disliking Peter. I didn’t appreciate Peter’s rush to become a business whiz, and as a result was both thoughtless, and at times even ruthless with Rachel and his customers. He even drives his best friend away! I identified with Rachel’s craving to have people notice her, and I admired her creativity as she developed her own business.
I did admire both Peter’s and Rachel’s parents and how they handled the escalating neighborhood competition as their kids tried to create the best business and make the most money. With their guidance and understanding, both Peter and Rachel were able to find the courage to admit their mistakes, and to apologize to their friends for taking advantage of them, and to realize that friendship and kindness is more important than making money.
I would recommend this book to those in grades 4 - 7 who are looking for a funny story about some quirky middle school kids. If you like Payback, you’ll be happy to know that the kids of Poplar Lane will be returning in 2019 in the next book of the series.
✨
Peter is twelve years old and is the business whiz of Poplar Lane. You may think that means he runs a lemonade stand, but Peter would NEVER stoop that low. That’s for amateurs! Instead he sells maps of Poplar Lane. At least he did, until he decided to launch a new business, Fabulous Fortunes and this time around he’s going to employ an unpaid intern to do most of the work. And that intern, is his next door neighbor, Rachel. Rachel’s nickname is puppet, because Rachel’s best friend Clover always speaks for Rachel or tells Rachel what to do and say, but Rachel loves to write and yearns to be noticed by her neighbors and classmates. She’s hopeful this internship just might lead to those around her actually seeing and hearing her for a change!
This story is told in the first person by the alternating voices of Peter and Rachel. Very early on in the story I found myself rooting for Rachel and really disliking Peter. I didn’t appreciate Peter’s rush to become a business whiz, and as a result was both thoughtless, and at times even ruthless with Rachel and his customers. He even drives his best friend away! I identified with Rachel’s craving to have people notice her, and I admired her creativity as she developed her own business.
I did admire both Peter’s and Rachel’s parents and how they handled the escalating neighborhood competition as their kids tried to create the best business and make the most money. With their guidance and understanding, both Peter and Rachel were able to find the courage to admit their mistakes, and to apologize to their friends for taking advantage of them, and to realize that friendship and kindness is more important than making money.
I would recommend this book to those in grades 4 - 7 who are looking for a funny story about some quirky middle school kids. If you like Payback, you’ll be happy to know that the kids of Poplar Lane will be returning in 2019 in the next book of the series.
February 10, 2018
Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from Penguin Young Readers as a part of Viking Publishing #partner in exchange for my honest review. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher. The copy used in this review is an uncorrected copy from the publisher, some quotes may have been changed prior to publishing.
Overall, I thought this book was adorable. I have heard about this book before its release. The idea of a young boy trying to support his family is a greats storyline. I enjoyed reading how Peter learned to build his own business and how he learned what is important in life, relationships. Peter provides these business tips throughout the novel to the readers. The author used this to connect with the reader, and I felt like Peter was giving me business tips this entire book. I felt that Clover and Peter’s supplemental friends could have been developed more, but that did not take away from the overall message. I liked how Rachel struggle with finding her voice throughout the novel. The author did a great job of showcasing the fact that people fail but you have to learn from your mistakes. Peter and Rachel both fail a lot in this novel, but each time they pick themselves up and try again. This is a great message to emphasize with any age group. The strategically placed business tips also added to the overall delivery of the clear message. Also, kuddos to the author for making Rachel’s dad a librarian. That was a fantastic idea of enforcing the idea they could go to the library to get information.
If you would like to view the full review head over to my blog at Librariel Book Reviews
Overall, I thought this book was adorable. I have heard about this book before its release. The idea of a young boy trying to support his family is a greats storyline. I enjoyed reading how Peter learned to build his own business and how he learned what is important in life, relationships. Peter provides these business tips throughout the novel to the readers. The author used this to connect with the reader, and I felt like Peter was giving me business tips this entire book. I felt that Clover and Peter’s supplemental friends could have been developed more, but that did not take away from the overall message. I liked how Rachel struggle with finding her voice throughout the novel. The author did a great job of showcasing the fact that people fail but you have to learn from your mistakes. Peter and Rachel both fail a lot in this novel, but each time they pick themselves up and try again. This is a great message to emphasize with any age group. The strategically placed business tips also added to the overall delivery of the clear message. Also, kuddos to the author for making Rachel’s dad a librarian. That was a fantastic idea of enforcing the idea they could go to the library to get information.
If you would like to view the full review head over to my blog at Librariel Book Reviews
December 12, 2017
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange
program- for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
program- for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Two kids that are total opposites have a rivalry. It all begins when Rachel a shy girl that feels like an outcast, becomes an unpaid intern for Peter; a boy thats an obsessive entrepreneur. Rachel wants revenge when Peter starts using her ideas and not giving her any credit for them.
I think both stories are touching. While they are both focused on competing with each other and seeing who is better, they struggle with something that at the beginning they dont see. But in the end Peter learns that money isn't everything and he finds the value in friends and family. And Rachel after some trial and error, fixes her mistakes and finds her own voice.
I like that Rachel talks about turtles and how she feels she resembles one. Hiding in her own shell, that was also me when I was in middle school. I think that's one of the reasons why I really like her character.
The book is both amusing and entertaining. A great book for young minds overcoming their fears and being a good friend.
May 3, 2018
This middle grade book is hilarious. The writing is witty and irreverent, and middle school students will love it. Some students will identify with Rachel, a determined (and introverted) girl who has to contend with Peter, an aspiring CEO who has devoured books on leadership and puts his new skills to practice with various neighborhood enterprises. The ups and downs of Peter's activities are funny and entertaining, but it is the clever asides and sidebars that made me laugh out loud. (Note - I have been a trainer of CEOs and managers so I loved all of the references to leadership techniques. Mincks nailed it.) I was given an ARC for review and highly recommend it for kids who would like to giggle when reading.
July 21, 2018
Once again I have learned not to judge a book by its cover or title. This story is a clever way to teach business ethics and life balance. Like Rachel the quiet aspiring writer next door, I hope the world will read my books too. I appreciated that Peter's business obsession was not fueled by his parents. My favorite quotes are from Peter's Dad "You're more than what you do. So much more.", and "Friendships are like investments. They take time and energy. You have to help them grow." Most of the business tips Peter highlights made me laugh and a few are significant life lessons like "A strong person can admit weakness." Once the entrepreneurial neighbors managed their competitive drive the book highlights the importance of honesty and forgiveness.
April 21, 2018
Yes, my sister-in-law wrote this book, and yes, I am immensely proud of her. That being said, it wouldn't have mattered who wrote this - I found it utterly delightful from start to finish. This book carries a cleverness throughout that will appeal to any age, and it makes for a truly enjoyable read. I never once felt like I was reading a "kid's book"; rather, I just felt like I was reading a perfectly appealing book that happened to be about children. It smoothly goes from funny to touching and back again. It's a perfect read for anyone, but I imagine it would be especially good for older elementary/early middle school ages.
December 16, 2018
I didn't love this book. Personally, I had a hard time really connecting with the story but my 9yo daughter really liked it (who is the target audience anyway!). I liked Rachel's character and her struggle finding her voice and what she stood for. Peter wasn't a likable character, definitely quirky for a young kid and I'm surprised the neighborhood kids seemed drawn to him, despite his uptight business persona. His 4yo brother Danielle was a cutie though. The plot line of failing but learning from your mistakes and making amends is a great lesson for kids this age, done in a fun way with business tips, storytelling, and business competition.
January 7, 2018
A fun book that explores some important topics! Peter is obsessed with business. Rachel is working hard to come out of her shell and let her voice be heard. A short stint as Peter’s intern inspires Rachel to start a business of her own. And then the cut-throat competition begins...
Peter learns important lessons about the real meaning of success, while Rachel learns that finding her voice should not involve hurting others. Both learn lessons in friendship and forgiveness.
From what I can see from the ARC, it looks like the Poplar Lane kids will be back in a sequel.
Peter learns important lessons about the real meaning of success, while Rachel learns that finding her voice should not involve hurting others. Both learn lessons in friendship and forgiveness.
From what I can see from the ARC, it looks like the Poplar Lane kids will be back in a sequel.
April 23, 2018
Competition heats up on Poplar Lane as two kids launch rival businesses. Peter is a cutthroat mini-mogul (picture Alex P. Keaton from "Family Ties" if you're old enough to remember that show), while Rachel is a quiet aspiring writer who just wants to be heard. Told in contrasting dual narratives (Peter's punctuated with his "business tips" ala Tony Robbins; Rachel's with the Cyrano story she's writing), "Payback on Poplar Lane" brings redemption for both kids with tons of humor and sharp detail.
May 13, 2018
Fun, realistic fiction for middle grade readers told in alternating chapters by Peter and Rachel. Author inserts letters, posters, book chapters, and for Peter, brief little business tips. He is a budding entrepreneur frustrated by his dad's layoff and the financial cut-backs it creates for the family. Peter and Rachel get into a bit of a competition for sales in their cul-de-sac, each growing in understanding of themselves and those around them.
The resolution is well written in that this is not a spontaneous revelation to each of the characters, but a work in progress.
The resolution is well written in that this is not a spontaneous revelation to each of the characters, but a work in progress.
February 15, 2018
A fun middle grade read about business and friendship. Peter Gronkowski cares about business and success. Rachel Chambers is shy, and has trouble speaking up. Peter hires her as his intern, but he is a lousy boss, and the result is that Rachel decides to outdo him at business. This is a funny story about revenge and business competition getting out of hand. There are lies, and gold, and cream pies.
February 28, 2018
In this day and age where money and business seem to have a huge influence on the world and American society, this sweet MG dives right in, and shows that friendship is far more important than competition. I loved the alternate chapters, and how vulnerable Peter ended up being. I felt sorry for him, even as he was behaving horribly, and I admire the author's ability to prompt that emotion. A lovely, engaging read.
June 28, 2018
Kind of annoying because I looked at the cover when I finished and couldn't identify one character from another. I know this is the first in a series, so maybe they will become more identifiable over time? Nothing wrong with this one, I just found it a little forgettable. I think kids will like it and get something from it, but I never warmed up to Peter and his business tips. This was being touted as a read alike for the Lemonade War, which makes me want to see if I'd like that any better.
December 21, 2017
Completely hilarious book about the dark side of lemonade stand economics. Great message in there too about the real value of money and integrity. Full review TK, but I'm going to have to have to go eat a Success Snack and scribble down some business tips from my mentor Ms. Margaret Mincks first. Priorities!
January 7, 2018
I received this book through a giveaway. Payback on Poplar Lane is a funny look into the competitive side of kid entrepreneurs. I enjoyed watching Rachel grow and find her voice, finally standing up for herself. This book is on the younger side of middle grade, and I think it will have many kids in stitches.
August 14, 2018
Payback on Poplar Lane by Margaret Mincks, 315 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2018. $17.
Language: G ( 0 swears 0'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence:G.
BUYING RECOMMENDATION: EL - ESSENTIAL MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Language: G ( 0 swears 0'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence:G.
BUYING RECOMMENDATION: EL - ESSENTIAL MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
August 22, 2018
I loved everything about this book: the quirky characters, the business vs. kindness focus, and the way the two protagonists influenced one another to become more than they had been before. Mincks balances humor and sincerity in just the right amount; readers will be both amused and incredibly fond of the characters and their individual journeys before the book is done.
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