Lunch Money is a novel by Andrew Clements that follows the story of Greg Kenton, a financially savvy, industrious sixth-grader with an entrepreneurial spirit. Greg has an unusual obsession with money and a knack for profit-making. He began his journey into entrepreneurship at a young age, reselling old toys and providing various services. However, his life turns interesting when he realizes that his schoolmates would gladly pay for good reading material. This leads him to the idea of creating and selling his comic books.
Greg starts writing and illustrating his comic series, "Chunky Comics," which he sells to his peers. His business is an instant hit, allowing him to capitalize on his love for comics and money-making. However, things take a turn when Greg's classmate Maura Shaw also begins creating her comics, seeing the success Greg is having. This rivalry causes tension between the two, leading to an all-out competition in the school's comic book market.
Despite their rivalry, when the school administration discovers their comic-selling activities and bans the sales, Greg and Maura must put their differences aside. They unite to tackle the shared obstacle, transforming their rivalry into a partnership. Through negotiation and compromise, they managed to get the ban lifted by changing the format of their comics into a mini-magazine that contains puzzles and factual information in addition to their stories. The school authorities, seeing the educational value in these magazines, allow their sales.
Their collaboration doesn't stop there. They team up on a project for a national competition to start a school-based business, which they win. Their win led to the launch of a school-based company that publishes student-written materials. The students gain control over their ventures, demonstrating the importance of independence, entrepreneurship, and compromise.
By the end of Lunch Money, Greg has matured as an entrepreneur, friend, and individual. He's learned the value of working with others, standing up for his rights, and using his passion for financial gain to provide a service that his peers appreciate. These experiences shape him and prepare him for the bigger challenges and opportunities that the future holds.
