Dr. K. Pinkerton Silverfish is the world’s greatest authority on getting rich quick. This has been confirmed again and again by such experts as Professor K. P. S. Ilverfish, world famous authority on multimillionairedom. Dr. Silverfish holds the Loot and Plunder Chair at the School of Fort Knox, except when he puts it on the floor and sits down on it. He owns the world’s fourth-largest private collection of slow-roasted jack-o’-lanterns. Dr. Silverfish has donated hundreds of three-dollar bills to dozens of worthy causes. Although he refuses to divulge what the K. stands for, he claims it is definitely not Kumpelstiltskin.
Jason Nozzle wants more than anything to be a multimillionaire. One day, he loses his allowance money through a hole in his pocket on his way to buy a cold treat from the Frozen Lizard stand in the local park. While searching for it with his older brother’s treasure finder, he stumbles upon a book with dollar signs all over it. In “Make Four Million Dollars by Next Thursday!” Stephen Manes tells all about Jason Nozzle and his journey to try and become a four-millionaire.
Dr. K. Pinkerton Silverfish stares at Jason from the cover of the book. Well, at least Jason thinks he does. In any case, Jason is absolutely certain that Dr. Silverfish will help him get rich quick. Throughout the course of a week, Jason follows Dr. Silverfish’s instructions exactly. Whether Jason is wearing clothes with pieces of paper pinned to his shirt or trying his best not to waste a single cent, he knows that everything he does brings him one step closer to being rich. The best part is that when Jason loses his copy of the book, an older student named Milo Crinkley — who is the hero of “Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days!” by Stephen Manes — returns the book to Jason. They talk about Dr. Silverfish as Milo wishes Jason good luck. Will Jason succeed in becoming a millionaire?
I loved this book when I was in elementary school and it remains one of my favorite children’s books to this day. The funny thing about this book is that Dr. K. Pinkerton Silverfish talks about it in “Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days!” Only he says it will be called “Make Four Billion Dollars by Next Thursday!” This change is addressed in the book, as well. You and your child will find this book incredibly enjoyable and fabulously funny.
“Make Four Million Dollars by Next Thursday!” by Stephen Manes is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.