Kids into books: The Wild Wests and Pong Castle

Author: Joy Cowley

Illustrator: Trevor Pye

Publisher: Harper Collins, $12.95

Age Group: 8-12 years

'Some old doorknobs and coat hooks. Funny old bolts, hinges, you know, useless stuff.'

'You don't get seventy dollars for useless stuff!' said Linda Bryant.

'Supply and demand,' said Royce. 'That's what business is all about.'

There was no way of getting a straight answer out of him and anyway, he knew we were all rotten with envy. The wilder we got, the smarter he acted, flicking bits of paper around the classroom and stirring up Mr Fromish like crazy. What a pain!

But I guess old Fromish got his own back when he checked the rough designs for our houses. 'Very interesting plan, West,' he said, leaning over Royce's desk. 'Kitchen, living room, two small bedrooms, a large room labelled Collections and another sizable room labelled Museum.'

'For my stuff,' Royce said, smiling at the rest of us as though he was some comedian.

Mr Fromish nodded. 'I understand. What I don't see is how you're going to manage without a bathroom.'

Royce took a quick look at his drawing and then tried to pretend the mistake was deliberate. 'Who needs a bath?' he said.

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The Wild Wests and Pong Castle