Not quite three and a half stars for this dark kids comedy. Well constructed characters and a unique concept pull this book along. It doesn't take much vision to see these characters. Despite it's strong points it does have some weaknesses - mainly the fact that the back cover details the entire plot. There are no surprises throughout the story. All and all I enjoyed it for a quick read and a little bit of silliness and I applaud the author for making what could be a morbid topic entertaining.

This didn’t keep my interest well, it’s on my battle of the books list and I worry it won’t entertain the 4th graders either

I love this story! It is about a boy who has a business mind and he wants to earn money and help others. It is so creative and captures readers attention quickly. It also covers the ideas of grief, loss, friendship, and creativity. This could be a fun book to use when discussing supply and demand and other business related things. I would recommend it to young adults from 6th to 8th grade. It isn't too complicated but it is worth reading.

This has almost a Little Rascals feel to it with the kids and their actions/language but has a heart-warming ending.

Very cute book!

Ernie is a twelve-year-old tycoon, always on the lookout for a fast buck. This time he stumbles onto a money-making bonanza: pet funerals. He hires Dusty to decorate the burial boxes and Tony to dig the holes, but his prize find is Swimming Pool, a tomboy who can cry on cue.

I remember reading this as a kid and thinking it was the funniest piece of literature to exist. Good times.

I thought this book was funny, but I'm not sure that younger kids will get all the farce. The descriptions of little kids running a business and barking orders into their cell phones were a hoot!

Okay.

style-3/5 This really could've been better. I was kind of comparing it to the TOTALLY AWESOME book the Best Christmas Pageant Ever, but is that even comparable? Beloved Dearly wasn't nearly that good. It didn't make me laugh, although it was easy to understand. No complicated paragraphs. A nice change.

characters-2/5 Again, could've been better. I got to know Swimming Pool (the girl) the most, simply because the author focused on her relationships with other people. But I could've cared less if Ernie or any of the others had died tragically. Seriously.

story-4/5 Typical for this type of book. Creative though.

Overall, here's the give: while it was pretty good in its own respect, the Best Christmas Pageant Ever is SO MUCH BETTER! Yeah.

3.5 stars

n  n  
n  
n  With decisive air, Ernie flipped open his jobs notebook, turned to a blank page, and wrote down the word funerals.n

Ernie is the idea-man. The trouble-maker. The too-clever-for-his-own-good kid.

And lately, all he can think about is:

n  "The bank, the beans, the jimmy, the jive. The moola, the greenbacks, the dead presidents!" Ernie cried. He was talking about money.n

He wants to make a lot of money and fast - whether it be booger insurance or cheeseburgers, he doesn't care.

But his dad? That's another story.

n  "I'm the one who has to work...I earn the money. Not you. I'm the grownup. You're the kid."
"But Dad!"n

Ernie's dad forbids any and all future harebrained schemes.

But now that it's just the two of them, Ernie feels alone and wants to (though he won't admit it) be like his dad and take care of himself like a grownup.

And grownups wouldn't let other grownups tell them what they can and can't do.

A crafty neighborhood kid becomes Ernie's coffin-maker and the toughest girl on the block becomes the crybaby. And so...the pet funeral business begins.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one!

I loved the way the author took such a macabre concept - especially for children - and turned it into a lovable plot with a surprising amount of depth.

Ernie and gang were hilariously smart. Every time Ernie barked orders in his phone or rounded up his team - pure gold.

I loved Swimming Pool (the crybaby) - she was (by far) my favorite character. She was such a loving, tough and completely sweet character.

And the coffin-maker - all the arts and crafts involving shoeboxes and shopping carts. It was strange, and I liked it.

Overall, this was definitely a fun story!

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This was one of my favorites in second grade

this book is amazing and sad. it's also my 200th book!!!!yay.