> Skip to content
  • Published: 4 June 2019
  • ISBN: 9780143796374
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $17.99

Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire




The hilarious story of one bag of cash, two best friends and a whole lot of trouble.

Finding a million dollars in your backyard - every kid's dream, right? That's what me and my best friend Toby thought too.

Jumping castles at school. Lollipops for our adoring fans. Wearing sunglasses indoors ('cos that's what all the millionaires do).

There's a lot you can get with a million dollars . . . including a whole lot of trouble.

Bonus tips on how to be a schoolyard millionaire inside!

  • Published: 4 June 2019
  • ISBN: 9780143796374
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $17.99

About the author

Nat Amoore

Nat Amoore is a Sydney-based children's author whose debut novel, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire, came out in 2019. It had great success as both Dymocks and QBD's 'Kids Book Of The Month', becoming Australia's #1 bestselling debut Aussie children’s fiction in 2019. It has now sold into the UK, US, Italy, China, Estonia and Romania.

Her second book, The Power of Positive Pranking, released in 2020, was shortlisted for the 2021 Readings Children’s Book Prize and REAL Children’s Choice Book Awards, and won the Environment Award for Children’s Literature. Rounding out Nat's trilogy about the kids of Watterson Primary, The Right Way to Rock was released in June 2021 and became a CBCA Notable.

In 2021, Nat wrote a 5-part fiction podcast series called Project ARI for Nova Entertainment and the Australian Government as part of the #StopItAtTheStart campaign. Project ARI won Best Branded Podcast at the 2021 Australian Podcast Awards and went on to receive an ACRA in 2022.

We Run Tomorrow, written by Nat and featuring graphic novel-style illustrations from Australian illustrator Mike Barry, was published in 2022, becoming another CBCA Notable. Now it’s time to get excited about Nat's hilarious junior fiction series called Shower Land, illustrated by James Hart, which has the first three books all coming out in 2024.

Also by Nat Amoore

See all

Praise for Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire

Amoore brings a delightful originality to her rendering of the kid’s own adventure . . . [she] has carefully crafted Tess’ narrative voice and sets up the denouement perfectly. This is a lively but thoughtful middle-grade fiction that kids aged 8–12 will race through with great pleasure.

Lorien Kaye, Books + Publishing

Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is a lively, precocious book for readers with big ideas and big hearts.

Bec Kavanagh, Readings

I love this book because I could perfectly relate to most of the wacky things Tess did, and because it wasn’t too easy or too hard.

Kayla Ludeman, age 11, Sun Herald

Any fan of the Treehouse series will have spent hours inventing the storeys, contraptions and rooms that would be present in their own treehouses, and Nat Amoore’s debut novel posits an equally enticing prospect: what would you do if you found a million dollars in your backyard?

Amelia Lush, The Guardian

Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is pure fun and will appeal to both reluctant and keen readers alike . . . Amoore’s take is contemporary, super quirky and a rollicking adventure.

Megan Daley, Children's Books Daily

Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is a hilarious and addictive junior fiction read. This book had me from the first page, pulling me into Tess’s world . . . This is a fresh, exciting and thrilling read for kids. It's that super cool book you want to keep hidden under your bed so parents don't know you have it (given all the juicy kid-tips inside!). Nat Amoore is a talented new Australian author who really gets kids and what they are looking for in a book. Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is an absolute winner.

kids-bookreview.com

This is a very funny, vibrant and aspirational story of two best friends with the best of intentions. There is a laugh on every page, and it’s filled with important tips and lessons that Tess has learnt along the way . . . It’s not surprising to learn that Australian author Nat Amoore is also the host of One More Page a podcast for kids about books. She certainly knows how to capture their attention and then deliver a highly entertaining story but slip in some great messages about inclusion, generosity and helping those in need.

betterreading.com.au

This novel is ideal for readers aged 9 to 12 who like a story with dramatic turns, excitement and problems with what seem like impossible solutions.

Dianne Bates, Buzz Words

This is a fun, surprising read with likeable characters... her narration is funny and engaging.

Rebecca Kemble, Magpies

This is a funny and entertaining read. The characters are well developed and Tess’s commentary in the first person is funny and witty . . . An absolute must for primary and public libraries, highly recommended.

Liz Derouet, lizderouet.wordpress.com

Pure brilliance and fun, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire is a triumphant debut by Nat Amoore, worth its weight in bank notes.

Dimity Powell, dimswritestuff.blogspot.com

This book is funny, wise, inclusive and a darn great Aussie read.

Renee Mihulka, Reading Time