Payback on Poplar Lane is a fantastic book! Tween business shark Peter Gronkowski thinks he knows everything there is to know about business. He cares little about friends and anyone’s feelings and can’t stop thinking about his business and himself. His neighbor, Rachel Chambers, whom many barely notice, wants to stop being invisible and teach Peter a lesson in the process. When she starts her own business, giving him competition, things get complicated for both of them.
All the characters author Margaret Mincks creates are so much fun. Peter is a hilarious boy who you can picture perfectly with the expressive descriptions Mincks gives us. You’ll love Rachel as she finds her voice and finally gets noticed. Both characters also learn some very valuable lessons after making some poor choices. Being a semi-light and funny read, I think this will appeal to reluctant tween readers, especially those who enjoy or aspire to running their own business. I can’t wait to read this book with my children, not only for the entertainment factor but also because it brings up some great opportunities to discuss things such as honesty and being a good friend.
Review of an Advance Reader Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Viking Books for Young Readers
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Several (15) brief incidents including character joking about strangling and kicking another; character asks another if she wants to punch her; a few incidents mention characters dying with no further detail; reference to movie with cannibal in the title; movie mentioned about a blob eating another blob’s face; reference to character receiving shot in butt from doctor; reference to lawyers putting murders in prison; two incidents of character having to go to a doctor after having allergic reaction.
Sex/Nudity: A few (3) brief incidents including tween flirting with another and wanting to kiss his business card; very young children blowing kisses to each other and pretending to be married; character having nightmare about being naked.
Mature Subject Matter:
Lying, revenge, verbal reference/discussion about whether or not a girl has had her period.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Character imagines an adult smoking a cigar; reference to Olympian getting caught doing drugs.
