Bank

A group of 14-year-olds turned loan sharks open a bank at their school in Irish author Quigley’s freewheeling debut. Finn, who has “nerves of steel,” has come up with a foolproof plan: he’s going to lend classmates money for a profit, made via interest and late fees, “just like a proper bank.” With the help of Koby, the brains behind the operation, Finn convinces his cousin Emily, athletic Gabe, tech genius Pablo, and narrator Luke to join his scheme. Though Luke is wary of Finn’s plotting, he can’t pass up the opportunity to earn extra cash to help his financially struggling household. The teens soon invest in a launch of the school-based dating app developed by goth girls Jo and Lucy, and agree to fund influencer Paddy’s venture to generate viral animal videos by buying her piglets. But as their deals get bigger, the potential risks pile up, forcing each friend to consider how far they’re willing to go to support one another’s plots before there’s no turning back. Luke’s level-headed first-person narration grounds the madcap situations. Their scheme rapidly spins out of control, delivering a high-concept read that’s less financial primer and more cautionary tale. Ages 12–up. (May)