Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Making Money

Gr 4–7—When a rich, popular girl at Charlie Joe's school brings her new robot in, Charlie Joe wants one, too. They're expensive, however, so he must go to extreme measures. He needs a job, one that doesn't involve much work. With help from friend Katie, he becomes a pet sitter, joins his dad on bring-your-kid-to-work day, and has a "cow jumping" party to raise cash. His shenanigans lead to a climax full of good fun for listeners, though Charlie Joe and friends are worse for wear. MacLeod Andrews gives an enthusiastic reading and does a bevy of voices from Charlie Joe's crush, Hannah, to Indian American Nareem. Occasional chapters are read in Katie's voice by Cassandra Campbell, who gets to deliver the drollest lines. This is a fun addition to the series for middle graders. No animals were harmed in this production, though a dog is dressed in a cow costume and a gopher is covered in dog slobber.—C. A. Fehmel, St. Louis County Library, MO