This is a story about a fantastically rich boy called Joe. Joe’s dad is a billionaire and Joe seems to have everything he wants, except friends. Joe leaves his fancy school, to go and enrol at the local comprehensive school. While there, he makes friends with a boy named Bob. Joe becomes faced with situations throughout the book that teach him, money can’t buy you everything. Joe has grown up believing that money can sort all your problems, and that money can fix everything. However, Joe quickly learns this is not the case. He embarks on a journey of discovery. Children aged 9-12 would love this book as at the beginning they can use their imagination of what they might do if they were a billionaire and what things they might buy. However, by the end of the story children see the real Joe and Joe’s father and Joe becomes more like the children themselves. ‘Billionaire Boy’ by David Williams is a hilarious and imaginative novel which features an overweight rich boy named Joe Spud, who can afford anything his heart desires. However, Joe lacks a real friend and is bullied within school as his dad is a toilet roll inventor. The book does a brilliant job in comparing Joe’s life before and after gaining his wealth where it portrays that money does not necessarily bring happiness to one’s life. This book would be an engaging read for slightly older children in primary school such as year 6. It could be used as part of independent reading where the humour and illustrations within the book will help and encourage children to read for pleasure.
What do You think about Joe Biljoen (2013)?
Great book about a boy who is a billionaire and he learns that you can't buy everything with money
—thazeen
Love David Walliams, Billionaire Boy is one of his best.
—yeudoi
A good read with strong positive message.
—oberdandaniel
