Review: Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire

Have you ever fantasised about being a millionaire? Come on, you know you have! Think of the things you could buy and the places you could go!

Well imagine if you became a millionaire at ten-years-old. What would you do then? What fun would you have?

These are exactly the questions Tess Heckleston faces when she stumbles across a million dollars (I won’t tell you how!) in Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire.

Tess the entrepreneur, the idea-generator, the business creator has spent her whole life trying to make a million dollars. And then, suddenly, she has it. 

She can buy jumping castles and support entrepreneur schemes. She can supply lollipops, coffee and donuts to all, and her best friend Toby can donate to charities around the world.

But a million dollars in your backpack is not as simple and easy (and exciting) as it might seem. It comes with challenges and obstacles and big, big problems that Tess and Toby have to navigate.

Adults get suspicious, family members get hurt and bad guys close in. Sacrifices need to be made and hard truths need to be faced if Tess and Toby are going to fix the catastrophes they’ve created.

Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is a hilarious and addictive junior fiction read. This book had me from the first page, pulling me into Tess’s world — pulling me into how she sees the world and how that vision changes as she becomes an instant millionaire.

Tess is an honest and relatable character with heaps of awesome flaws that she has no issue with admitting to. She talks to the reader throughout the book, giving honest advice, confessing to her mistakes and sharing insight into her journey to millionaire. 

I loved Tess's millionaire (and general life) tips scattered throughout the book. Tips like ‘have goals!’, ‘always listen to your best friend’s advice’ and ‘watch some movies from the 80s’. It's a funky addition that makes it feel like the book has been written just for you!

This is a fresh, exciting and thrilling read for kids. It’s that super cool book you want to keep hidden under your bed so parents don't know you have it (given all the juicy kid-tips inside!). Nat Amoore is a talented new Australian author who really gets kids and what they are looking for in a book.

Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is an absolute winner, and I can’t wait to see what Amoore delivers next.

Title: Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire

Author: Nat Amoore

Publisher: Penguin, $14.99

Publication Date: 4 June 2019

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780143796374

For ages: 8+

Type: Junior Fiction