"Print out these discussion questions to continue the conversation with your students, children, and friends!"
Book Summary Millionaires for the Month:
After seventh-graders Felix and Benji "borrow" $20 from a lost wallet, the billionaire owner Laura Friendly challenges them to spend over 5 million dollars in thirty days to learn life lessons about money. Along the way, the boys develop unlikely friendships with Freebie, a stray dog, hired philosopher chauffeur Reggie, and each other.
For children ages 8 - 12 years old and who love: Unplugged by Gordon Korman, any book by Stuart Gibbs, and Stacy McAnulty’s The World Ends in April.
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If you had to spend 5 million dollars using the rules from Millionaires for the Month (you can’t invest the money, buy a house, and you have to be the one using everything you purchase), what would you do with the money?
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Author Stacy McAnulty talks about getting some of her ideas for her stories from observing billboards and having conversations and playing discussion games with her family during dinner. Spend a week watching for any signs or billboards you see and write down any ideas you get for your future projects.
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When millionaire Laura Friendly gives Felix and Benji 5 million dollars to spend in a month, it’s a punishment for stealing the $20 from her lost wallet before returning the wallet. Stacy talks about examples of creative disciplines that can be found in other books and television shows. Can you think of other creative punishments that you have read or heard about from someone else? You can start with a creative punishment from a classic book by author Roald Dahl and a chocolate cake. Can you guess the book?
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Reggie, Felix, and Benji’s philosopher chauffeur help the boys think about their decisions with what he is learning about philosophy in college. On page 170, Reggie quotes philosopher David Hume, “The life of a man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.” What do you think that means, and what is Reggie trying to say to Felix and Benji?
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At the end of the story, Felix and Benji’s lives and relationships with each other and their families change. Can you think of an example of how Felix and Benji have changed from the beginning of the book?
—Thank you to author Stacy McAnulty and LK Literary Agency Founder Lori Kilkelly.
