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About The Book

Meet Billy Sure, twelve-year-old inventor and CEO of Sure Things, Inc., and discover all of his wild and wacky inventions in this start to a hilarious middle grade series!

Everyone is talking about Billy Sure, the twelve-year-old CEO of Sure Things, Inc. and genius inventor of the All Ball, a ball that turns into different sports balls with the push of a button. Now Billy wants to help other kids achieve their inventing dreams just like he has!

So Billy is hosting an online contest for other kid-inventors to share their inventions, and the winning submission will be produced by his company. Ideas like the Sibling Silencer, No-Wash Socks, and a pencil that does all your work start pouring in. With so many great ideas, how is Billy supposed to pick a winner?

And that’s not all. Billy also has to keep the secret that could take him from hero to zero in a flash if anyone found out. Can Billy Sure find a way to stay on top of the world and help other kids achieve their dreams at the same time?

Each book in this series includes Billy’s drawings and doodles of inventions and more!

About The Author

Luke Sharpe is not a millionaire, but he has been trying to invent a machine that can teleport people anywhere in the world since he was eight years old. He has so far been unsuccessful but he has vowed never to give up. When he isn’t working, Luke enjoys Hawaiian pizza and skateboarding. He lives near Chicago with his wife and son (named Billy, of course), their gecko, Eddie, and their aquarium full of exotic fish.

About The Illustrator

Graham Ross has grand plans for world domination through his illustrated inventions. Right now he’s having a “ball” hanging out with Billy Sure, the next sure thing! Graham lives in a little log home in the woods with his inventive family, just outside of Merrickville, Canada.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon Spotlight (May 26, 2015)
  • Length: 160 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481439497
  • Grades: 3 - 7
  • Ages: 8 - 12
  • Lexile ® 610L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

"Sharpe creates characters with high child appeal . . . Ross adds comic details with his spot art that takes its cue from student sketches and doodles . . . Put this page-turner in the hands of those who appreciate a light read with a touch of mystery and humor."

– Kirkus Reviews

"The All Ball is an incredible new invention that can change from a basketball to a soccer ball (or baseball, hockey puck, or bowling ball) with just the click of a remote. Who wouldn’t want one? . . . This is a lightweight mystery featuring good kids, kooky inventions, and a little sibling rivalry, with black-and-white doodles throughout. VERDICT: A general purchase for libraries looking for light mysteries for younger middle grade readers."

– School Library Journal

"In this peppy series launch … fun banter among Billy, his peers, and his acerbic older sister, Emily, keep this brisk story rolling,while Ross’s scribbled marginalia and spot illustrations are in keeping with the kid-founded, garage-based entrepreneurism of Sure Things Inc."

– Publisher's Weekly

“This funny debut features likable Billy Sure, 12, entrepreneur and CEO of Sure Things, Inc. … Sprinkled with Ross’ kidlike black-and-white illustrations, this fast-paced, wacky series opener will appeal to fans of Tommy Greenwald’s Charlie Joe Jackson series.”

– Booklist

"This delightful and whimsical story will resonate with Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Amulet Books) and Big Nate (HarperCollins) fans. . . . Media specialists and teachers will appreciate its appeal for reluctant readers."

– School Library Connection

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Intermediate Title
  • Horned Toad Tales List (TX)

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Luke Sharpe

More books from this illustrator: Graham Ross

More books in this series: Billy Sure Kid Entrepreneur