Wertheim, L. Jon and Tobias Moskowitz. The Rookie Bookie. Little, Brown & Company, 2014. $17.00. ISBN 978-0-316-24981-2. 262 pages. Ages 8-13. P6Q7
Seventh grader Mitch Sloan is the new kid at Jonasburg Middle School. He’s determined not only to fit in but to help his family financially. When tomboy sports fan Jamie Spielberger turns up as a potential business partner and best friend, the two find themselves initiating an illicit middle school gambling ring. The cohesiveness and clarity of the plot introduces mathematical elements of probability, economics and business.
Verdict: Ultimately, the denouement is where the youngsters find a better use of their observations and calculations than gambling. I have a couple of favorite lines: “I’m sorry but-” “But? You’re sorry, but? Your sorry butt better come up with a better apology than that if you want some help from me!” and “Sounds like surreptitious skullduggery.”
May 2017 review by Penny McDermott.
Advertisements Share this:
