Book Review: Flat Broke, by Gary Paulsen

Why I picked it up

This book is the companion book to Liar, Liar which I read last year for a session.  I created lesson ideas that correlate with the state standards.  I really enjoyed the fast paced story and convinced my middle son, Cole, to read it as well.  I was completely unaware that there were companion books to Liar, Liar until, for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, Cole surprised me with both of the companion books.  My sweet, generous, reader had gone to his school book fair and used his tooth fairy money to buy me books he knew I would love!

Why I finished

Gary Paulsen is a wizard when it comes to creating characters.  Without fail, I feel as if I know every one of his characters in real life and will refer to them at times as if they really exist!  This series of books are definitely Paulsen’s “lighter” characters.  I have just recently finished reading another of his recent books, Paintings from a Cave with main characters who were dealt really bad hands and are dealing with violence, drug abuse, and neglect.  The beauty of Paulsen is that he can also create characters from seemingly average American homes as well.  In this series, Kevin Spencer is what I would consider the all-American boy next door.  In Liar, Liar he was caught in a whole web of lies, so this story begins with him being grounded from the mess he created.  Grounding includes living without allowance.  So this entire story is about Kevin creating his own empire to become a self-made millionaire.  He begins thinking of ways he can earn money, which won’t be lawn service since he was doing that for free – “part of the If You Lie, Bad Things Will Happen program at the Spencer homestead.” He brainstormed many different ideas and slowly began earning money.  Of course it unravels towards the end.  I finished this book quite easily, because Kevin is such an amusing, witty, and clever young man, and I really wanted him to win!  It will easily be one of my favorites considering how I got it! 

Who I would recommend it to

Middle school boys!  Not that it has to be boys, I think the character is so relate-able it would be enjoyed by many.  However, it is a quick and easy read that is swimming in humorous commentary from the main character, Kevin.

Integration Ideas

Characterization

As I stated above, the characters in Paulsen’s books are so life-like.

• This is a great time to have students discuss character traits with text-evidence.  Create an anchor chart with students listing different words that are considered character traits.  A simple T-chart could be used as students read the story they can chart a character trait on the left side and text evidence on the right.
• Have students make inferences about the character.  How is the character feeling in different parts of the story.  Throughout the story the character is expressing feelings through actions.  What do these actions tell you about the character?
• Students can discuss how the character is affecting the plot of the story.  The characters traits, actions, and feelings will all alter the plot in some way.  How is the character creating rising action? Falling action? The resolution?
• Emulate the description of characters in writing.  Pull out description of characters and discuss how the characters are created and described.  Provide time for students to emulate Paulsen and put some character description into their own writing.  One example is Kevin’s commentary on when he met Sam.  “Whoa. I think and talk fast, but this girl was in hyperdrive, the kind that made the speed of light seem sluggish by comparison” (p. 38).

Writers’ Notebook

Kevin begins to carry a notebook with him so he can jot ideas down when they come to him.  Granted he is using his notebook as a way to remember his money making ideas, but the thinking is the same of a writers’ notebook.  Additionally, he is always studying situations from a different point of view and trying to figure out how he can make money.  Students should see small ideas and study them from different points of view and angles.