Henry Reed, Inc.

Reach for this book when your child is itching for independence or feels cooped up by structured activities. It is perfect for the budding entrepreneur who needs to see that boredom is often the birthplace of the best ideas. Henry Reed, a diplomatic brat spending the summer in New Jersey, decides to establish a research firm to document American life. What follows is a series of hilariously deadpan experiments and business ventures involving everything from truffle-hunting pigs to stray turtles. It celebrates a brand of childhood freedom that is rare today, emphasizing that kids are capable, inventive, and more than a match for the adults around them. This is a classic choice for 8 to 12 year olds who value logic, humor, and self-reliance.