Prices! Prices! Prices!: Why They Go Up and Down

Gr 2–5—Presented in a clear and straightforward manner, this title explains the most basic economic concepts. Using the classic example of opening and operating a lemonade stand as a jumping-off point, Adler engages readers in a five-day scenario depicting the four basic laws of supply and demand. For instance, the purchase of serving and presentation materials (a fixed cost) and ingredients (a variable cost) demonstrates how to determine the variable cost per drink and set a price per cup. Adler uses other scenarios to indicate how changes in supply and demand influence cost, such as when a neighbor opens a competing lemonade stand. Miller's cheery, cartoonlike images add to the upbeat, conversational tone. Text boxes discuss key points, such as the four supply and demand laws and how to calculate each day's variable profit. However, readers will not find the frequently used diagram of supply and demand curves intersecting to determine the equilibrium price, nor will they find back matter explaining concepts above and beyond the text or directing them to additional sources. Unfortunately, not all the words highlighted in the text are defined in the glossary—and not all the glossary terms are highlighted in the text.