Jerry Shore is ten. He lost his dad five years ago in the Big War, and broke a finger putting his fist through a wall. He's the man of the house and makes good money now, selling and renting magical objects he gets from the Wonderworker by the dump. And he's learning The Look, which puts people under his power.
When some objects don't work, burly Cromer Borkin and sneaky Willie Fielder lead the kids at school to demand their money back. He's already spent it and would be in big trouble if not for The Doubler, which doubles money left in it overnight. Only pretty Suzie Steele still believes in him . . . and the Wonderworker, who cautions him not to misuse The Doubler and helps him discover his higher self.