"What a fun novel and a great way to get kids excited about the power of math in the real world! The protagonist, Lindy, evolves from math-phobic child to stock market whiz kid, learning that math is much more than a class at school; it's key to making money. All of this in a book that is fun and energetic and filled with relatable characters. Inspiring kids to see the value in math is one of my passions, and Elissa Brent Weissman has hit the nail on the head with The Short Seller."
Description
A twelve-year-old takes on the stock market in this money-minded middle grade novel that Publishers Weekly calls “a smart pick.”
It all starts when seventh grader Lindy Sachs is granted one hundred dollars and access to her father’s online trading account as a way to alleviate her boredom while she’s home sick from school.
Lindy learns something immediately—she is very, very good at e-trading. Her one hundred dollars soon becomes two hundred dollars. Then four hundred. And more. With trading talent and access to her parents’ savings, the opportunity to make some real dough is too tempting to pass up. In fact, given how well Lindy’s stocks are doing, it would be a disservice to not invest it all…Right?
Reviews
"Weissman builds layers of suspense as Lindy fixes one disastrous situation only to be hit with an even worse blow; the author also smoothly weaves information about the stock market and finance into the story’s family dynamics and middle-grade friendship problems. A smart pick."
"This is a highly original story effectively told. A readable and interesting thought experiment for young tycoons, this would provide a unique opportunity to pair literature with a classroom study of the stock market. "
"Lindy's enthusiasm is infectious...those who are drawn in by Lindy's passion and the fun math puzzles will be rewarded by a startlingly suspenseful conclusion, with far more at stake than mere classroom drama."
