Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

Written by: Judith Viorst

First line: It isn’t fair that my brother Anthony has two dollars and three quarter and one dime and seven nickels and eighteen pennies.

Why you should read this book: Alexander and his brothers like money; Alexander likes it a lot, so when his grandparents give each boy a dollar, the possibilities seem endless. However, impulse spending, money mismanagement, and unforeseen expenses (mostly in the form of fines for inappropriate behavior) take their toll on his accounts until he’s left with nothing. Between the thrill of buying and the puzzle of subtraction, there’s plenty going on in this enduring story of a young boy and his windfall.

Why you shouldn’t read this book: If inflation drives you crazy, steer clear; this book was published in 1978 and you wouldn’t believe what this kid gets out of a dollar.