Tarantula Shoes by Tom Birdseye is a 1998-99 Hoosier Award Nominee for Fourth through Sixth Grade.

Ryan has just moved from Arizona to Kentucky. It wasn't exactly his idea and now he has to adjust to a new school. Ryan has always been short. His biggest fear is that being new to the school, the kids might make fun of him for being the shortest one in school. Then he meets Gordon, a neighbor kid, who tells him about some really cool Slam Dunk Sky Jumpers and how everyone that is cool is getting them for the new school year. Ryan just has to have these shoes, but they cost $124.99 and his parents tell him they are too expensive. If Ryan wants these new Slam Dunk Sky Jumpers, he has to find the money. There isn't that much time left before school starts, but you will be surprised how Ryan solves his problem using his pet tarantula!

Rating:

This book was easy reading and still taught the value of money. How we as kids can be creative and find ways to earn money to buy some of the things we really want. You can purchase Tarantula Shoes at Amazon.