
For the child who loves to laugh and sees the world as a stage for imaginative fun, Funny Business celebrates creative thinking and hilarious hijinks. The story follows a group of friends who, bored with the usual school fundraisers, decide to start their own 'prank-for-hire' service. It's a delightful chapter book that explores themes of joyful collaboration, creative problem-solving, and the loyalty between friends when their plans go slightly awry. Perfect for readers aged 7-10, this book is a light, accessible, and purely entertaining read that encourages kids to find humor and invention in everyday school life.
This book does not contain sensitive topics. The conflicts are lighthearted and centered on school-based social dynamics, competition, and mischief. All resolutions are positive and affirming.
This is for an 8-year-old newly independent reader who loves books by Andrew Clements or Louis Sachar. The ideal reader is a child who thrives on stories about kids taking initiative, working together, and creating their own fun, especially if it involves a bit of clever, harmless rule-bending.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewNo preparation is needed. The pranks are silly and clearly harmless (e.g., rubber chickens, jello, balloons), and the book has no complex themes. It can be read cold and enjoyed for its straightforward humor and celebration of friendship. A parent might reach for this after hearing their child say "I'm bored!" or after witnessing their child and friends trying to invent an elaborate new game. It's a perfect antidote for a reading slump or for a child who just needs a book that is purely for fun.
A 7-year-old will adore the slapstick elements and the core idea of kids outsmarting adults with their cleverness. A 10-year-old will better appreciate the nuances of running the 'business,' the friendly competition, and the themes of creative problem-solving and teamwork. The older reader will see it as a story about kid entrepreneurship, while the younger reader will see it as a story about fun pranks.
While many books feature school-based humor, this one is unique for its focus on entrepreneurial creativity. It isn't just about one-off pranks. It's about a group of kids building a system, marketing their skills, and navigating the challenges of teamwork and competition, all within a safe, hilarious, and aspirational framework.
Best friends Leo, Maya, and Sam, tired of bake sales, launch "Funny Business," a secret service that performs harmless, clever pranks for fellow students in exchange for candy or small toys. Their business booms with schemes like filling a locker with balloons and switching the salt and sugar in the teachers' lounge. Their success attracts a rival group, leading to a prank war that culminates in a clever, show-stopping performance at the school talent show which wins over even the grumpy principal.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.