Millions FROM OUR EDITORS
Two brothers get their hands on a case full of cash -- and are out to spend it before it becomes worthless -- in this thrilling novel from author Frank Cottrell Boyce. Filled with English-set action and cool suspense, Boyce's debut novel for younger audiences follows Anthony and religious saints–obsessed Damian Cunningham, who come upon a hoard of cash that mysteriously lands at their feet. Because of the looming replacement of the British pound by Euro currency, Anthony and Damian realize they have only 17 days to spend the money before it's taken out of circulation. The trouble for these two boys? Getting rid of money fast enough isn't as easy as it sounds, and they soon learn that thieves are on the prowl to reclaim their lost treasure. Boyce has served an absorbing, fast-paced read that will keep you turning the pages until the end. With clever, dry wit and atypical characters, the book rises above other mundane action novels and will appeal to fans of Gordon Korman and Cornelia Funke. Without a doubt, Boyce has hit the jackpot with this one.
ANNOTATION
After their mother dies, two brothers find a huge amount of money which they must spend quickly before England switches to the new European currency, but they disagree on what to do with it.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
After their mother dies, two brothers find a huge amount of money which they must spend quickly before England switches to the new European currency, but they disagree on what to do with it.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
British screenwriter Boyce's inventive first novel, set in contemporary England, makes a fine transition to audio, thanks to Jones's lively, spot-on performance. Brothers Anthony and Damian are going through a tough time following their mother's death. The boys have moved to a new house with their father and are attending a new school. While Dad is overextended in his role as single parent, the boys try their best to "be excellent" and make things a little easier for all of them. As a coping method, Damian has become obsessed with the lives of saints, striving to emulate their acts of sacrifice-a point of serious concern for Dad and teachers from school. But one day when Damian is hanging out by the train tracks in his saint-like hermitage built of cardboard boxes, life takes an unusual turn. A bag of money- 229,370-seemingly falls from the sky. Of course the cash comes with strings. In 17 days, it will be deemed worthless when the country's currency changes over to euros. And the people who stole the money in the first place are eager to get it back. The boys' struggle to decide what to do with the money (and how to spend at least some of it) makes for an interesting, suspenseful caper. Jones brings humor and tenderness to the proceedings, making Damian's preoccupations both funny and heartwarming. And listeners will feel sure the family bonds are strengthened by the test. Ages 8-up. (Sept.) FYI: A feature film based on the book hits U.S. theaters November 24. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-When fourth-grader Damian finds a bag full of cash by the train tracks, he and his brother try to spend it fast. The bills are all pounds, and England is just a few weeks away from converting to the euro, so anything they don't use will, in their minds, soon be worthless. This happy predicament sets up some excellent comic situations, including rampant inflation at the school yard and some suspiciously materialistic Mormons. But a lot more is going on than money-related antics. Damian, obsessed with the lives of the saints and a bit muddled about the real world, narrates with endearing naivet and unintended deadpan humor. Fifth-grader Anthony has an endless supply of schemes, contrasting with his brother's more charitable sensibilities. Though their mother's recent death is not described until later, the boys' sense of loss permeates the story, and their instant fortune subtly leads them to a point where they can finally face their grief. Damian's encyclopedic knowledge of saints is hilarious at times, but also reveals his touching need for faith and reassurance. Supporting characters, including their dad and a shrewd female fund-raiser, have distinct personalities. The imagined 1998 monetary changeover may be confusing to American kids, who might assume the event really occurred, but readers should grasp the resulting need to act with dispatch. There's plenty of excitement as the deadline approaches and the brothers' secret becomes known, but the humor, the strong family story, and Damian's narrative voice make this satisfying novel succeed on several levels.-Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
AudioFile
The patron saint of audiobooks must surely have been watching over this production. It's got colorful, carefully crafted characters, a cinematic story—a British youth, obsessed with saints, finds a cash bonanza—and a dazzling read by Simon Jones. Boyce's story operates as a clever mystery, a parable about greed, a lesson in recovery from loss, and an example, like HUCKLEBERRY FINN, of a book about children that works for all ages. Narrator Jones's strongest gift isn't his array of British accents (which he does effortlessly) or his timing (which is impeccable); it is his empathy—an uncanny ability to put the listener inside the mind of a spiritually conflicted child. If you're wondering what separates the good from the great in audiobook narration—check out this Golden Voice. R.W.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
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