Lawn Boy

Arnold is a stockbroker who pays for the boy’s mowing services through stock investments. Much of Arnold is round—his limbs, torso, head, and even the bowl haircut—and he seems to be a 1970s throwback, wearing colorful patterns and a suede sport coat that doesn’t fit well. Arnold’s personality matches his odd appearance, using outdated 70’s slang like “groovy” and “far-out” (36). He also has a strange relationship with capitalism, describing it as “beautiful” and complimenting people’s creative uses of the system (23). He’s captivated by economic intricacies and how a thriving business can develop from nothing, which is why he readily assists the boy’s new enterprise.

Though even the boy questions his motives at first, Arnold proves to be an honest stockbroker with an inclination for the underdog. He admits his investments aren’t currently profiting, but he never takes advantage of the boy’s minor status regardless of the boy’s success. He gives the boy candid advice and teaches him how the stock market functions. Similarly, Arnold respects Pasqual’s work ethic and never looks down on his blue collar job: “[Pasqual] wears a headlamp. Ingenious, really. I admire his creativity in the face of opposition. Entrepreneurship at its finest—there are no impossibilities, just hurdles to overcome” (24). Arnold supports Pasqual’s drive and appreciates how he uses difficult situations to his advantage. Arnold’s altruism and enthusiasm make him a good ally and important knowledge source for the inexperienced boy.

Joseph Powdermilk Jr., who later nicknames himself Joey Pow, is a local heavyweight boxer sponsored by the boy. Joey looks humorously enormous in his car: He hardly fits, and his side of the car unmistakably sinks. Upon first meeting Joey, Arnold marvels, “I see it […] but I don’t believe it. How did he get in the car?” (53). Joey looks like a mountain but moves lightly on his feet, like a giant cat. He effortlessly wins every fight—from confrontations with Rock to his boxing match—and exhibits nearly superhuman strength when he launches fully-grown adults across lawns and sends a man’s head through a closed dishwasher door.

Though he is not particularly intelligent, Joey has a strong sense of identity and a straightforward problem-solving approach. Joey’s perspective and methods differ from the others, and his elementary logic reflects his straightforwardness and practicality. When the boy suggests Joey adopts the fighting name “Earthquake,” a bewildered Joey rejects it because his name is not really Earthquake. Moments later, chooses the nickname Joey Pow, because “it’s catchy and it’s my name” (61). Joey believes in honesty and directness, which begets a fierce loyalty. On the same day Joey meets the boy, he volunteers to settle the Rock conflict. Though he expresses it differently, Joey matches the boy’s commitment to community, and thus complements the story’s character dynamics and themes.

The boy’s maternal grandmother gives him her late husband’s old riding lawn mower for his 12th birthday. Her bizarre gift actually ends up being the most normal thing she says or does throughout the story. She seems “about nine bricks shy of a full load” (3), but her family knows that her eccentric stream-of-consciousness comments cohere and that something—usually a vaguely connected memory—links each end of her logic. As Grandma self-professes, “It all makes sense if you wait long enough” (4), and indeed, her advice is usually profound and indicates years of wisdom.

Despite her age, Grandma has never lost her spirit of adventure. Grandma brightens when the boy mentions being a prizefighter’s sponsor, eager to introduce herself even in the midst of the Rock crisis. Grandma’s actions, particularly later in the book, unveil her young heart while augmenting her life-tested wisdom with a unique flair.