How to Lose Your Cookie Money

Willimena Rules! #3

by Valerie Wilson Wesley, Maryn Roos (Illustrator)

This time Willimena's troubles arrive in the form of sweet, innocent little peanut-butter cremes, chocolate mint, and 100% shortbread cookies. She sells box after box after box. and even gets a patch for being the top seller in her troop. But then she loses-well, actually, spends-the money while trying to do her best to live up to the Girl Scout Law. But in doing so, she breaks it at the same time. Facing the humiliation and shame of being kicked out of Brownies, she and her big sister Tina come up with a plan to earn the money back. Of course, it backfires and that's when things really begin to heat up!!

Genres: Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Valerie Wilson Wesley is an African-American author of mysteries, adult-theme novels, and children's books,[1] and a former executive editor of Essence magazine. She is the author of the Tamara Hayle mystery series. Her writings, both fiction and non-fiction, have also appeared in numerous publications, including Essence, Family Circle, TV Guide, Ms., The New York Times, and the Swiss weekly magazine Die Weltwoche.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who stole the cookies cookie money from the cookie jar purple tin?

Willimena, that's who . . . though she did it for a good cause. Now she needs the help of her big sis/sometimes nemesis to pay it back. Some of their get-rich-quick schemes are pretty funny.

I found this one a bit frustrating as I just wanted to scream, "Tell an adult about it!" . . . but, then there would have been no story.

[Lesley Montoya- · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated it a 4 because it was a good book. I didn't rate it a 5 because it wasn't great.

[Jane Maple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willimena sold a bunch of girl scout cookies with her sister's help, but then used the money to buy lunches for twin girls who told Willimena that they didn't have money for lunch. But now that Willimena has to turn in the money, she is stressed out about admitting to everyone what she did. But that night she admits to her sister what she did and (although they fought all morning) her sister is more than willing to help. She suggests a lemonade stand, but it does require that Willimena use the remaining money that she had not yet spent buying ingredients for the lemonade. Willimena agrees and together they make the lemonade and try to sell it, but their customers don't like it. It is too sweet. Willimena thinks that is what happens when you trust the taste testing to your sister who puts ketchup on her tuna fish sandwiches. Next they try a pet show, but it becomes a disaster when the pets start chasing each other and Willimena has to give back the entrance fees people paid. Finally Willimena gives in and tells both her parents and her girl scout leader what she did. Her parents use money from Willimena's saving account to pay back the debt and they guess which girls are going hungry and make sure that they can always get sandwiches at their house.
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[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Cute story, likable and diverse characters. Since it's such a brief story, I don't want to spoil the plot, but I have to say I was touched by the reason Willie no longer had her cookie money.

[Jasmine Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood favorites! I used to read this book in fourth grade, especially after I grew out of the Junie B Jones series. It’s such a great series to dive into as a young black girl wanting to see yourselves and beginners novels I love it so much! Reading it was a blast from the past 🥹

[Tymia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a guide/book because it shoes you some ideas of how to earn yourmoney back if you lose it.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the best book ever

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought it would be more about Girl Scouts, but it wasn't. Many of the characters were rude and unkind, and the story was very disjointed.