Payback on Poplar Lane by Margaret Mincks

Peter is a true businessman.  It doesn't matter that he runs his business out of his yard/ garage.  It doesn't even matter that he is only 12 years old.  He reads business magazines and is confident that he has what it takes to be the best businessman on the block.  Rule number one?  No lemonade.  Lemonade stands are for amateurs, not professionals, and Peter is a Professional.

So, as a professional, Peter decides it will be a good idea to hire an intern.  An intern is someone who works for you, doing most of the grunt work, and doesn't get paid.  So, he holds an essay contest to choose an intern.  He chooses his next door neighbor, Rachel.  Rachel is at first quite excited to be part of Peter's business, but she quickly learns that he expects her to do the work for no pay, no recognition, and no encouragement.  Rachel then decides that her time could be better spent in a different way.

Check out Payback on Poplar Lane by Margaret Mincks (Lexile: Unknown; Interest Level: Grades 4-7) to find out what Rachel does to get back at Peter, and what their war for the cup-de-sac does to their relationships with others!  If you liked Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen, or other stories in which children are vying to make money, you will probably also enjoy this story. (320 p.)

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