A young Brewster's Millions

A young Brewster's Millions, satisfying and with a lot to think about.

Brewster's Millions (Richard Pryor and John Candy) was one of the films of my childhood. About a pretty penniless ball player given $30 million to spend by a distant billionaire relative in his will, he must spend it in a month to receive his true inheritance of $300 million.

Now this wish-fulfilment story is transported to a school, and to two boys who find a billionaire's wallet. As reward/punishment for stealing $20 out of it, she (yes, now a female) sets them a similar challenge. Without explaining to anybody why, and without giving any away, they must spend $5million in a month to receive a bigger sum that is theirs to keep.

But Felix and Benji can't explain to anyone why they are 'wasting' all this money, buying useless things but not things that could be helpful to family and friends. They might just learn what money, riches and even friendship mean over the course of the month.

The context change really worked for this plot: what child hasn't dreamed of this type of scenario, being able to throw money at every single thing they've dreamed of? But consequences exist and the two boys, different in temperament, family situation and even morality, will both find themselves thinking hard about what matters and what they can do together.

Great audiobook, I really enjoyed the narrator voicing the boys, and it's one I'll share with my 9-year-old. It's a straightforward story to follow and a good choice for a listen rather than on paper.

The different personalities of the boys were a good contrast, with a few moral dilemmas flung their way, some maths I enjoyed (regarding the money), the effects of over-indulgence, and some clever manoeuvres to attempt to spend all the money in time.

Great title for the 9-13 market. Lots to think about and to entertain, and even discuss.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

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