East River Press

Twelve-year-old Mark Hoffman disrespects authority, cuts class at every opportunity, and suspects he knows better than nearly every adult in Walton, New York. He may be right—he is, after all, one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the community. As the co-founder of the phenomenally popular Desserts Express, Mark and his hilarious friends just might revitalize their dying hometown, if only the grown-ups would stop arresting them and shutting down their businesses.

The Walton Street Tycoons is a young adult novel about the friendships and misadventures of an extraordinary group of pre-teen capitalists. Mark and his friends confront the challenges of a corrupt small-town government, condescending teachers and parents, and the onset of girl trouble. Themes of freedom and individualism underscore a fast-paced, humorous narrative filled with food fights, practical jokes and the quest for a perfect day of fishing.