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| Perma-Bound Edition ©2023 | -- |
| Perma-Bound from Publisher's Hardcover ©2021 | -- |
| Library Binding ©2024 | -- |
| Publisher's Hardcover ©2021 | -- |
| Paperback ©2023 | -- |
Brothers and sisters. Juvenile fiction.
Online chat groups. Juvenile fiction.
Grief. Juvenile fiction.
Friendship. Juvenile fiction.
Secrecy. Juvenile fiction.
Novels in verse.
Brothers and sisters. Fiction.
Online chat groups. Fiction.
Social media. Fiction.
Grief. Fiction.
Friendship. Fiction.
Secrets. Fiction.
Gr 4 Up-Everything is more difficult since Ben Y's brother Benito died last year. Seventh grade is off to a rocky start, as the mysterious new student, Ace, has Ben Y feeling simultaneously happy and nervous anytime they interact. Then Mr. Mann begins a crusade to enforce the school dress code, punishing Ace and Ben Y for the most ridiculous reasons, while her best friends (Jordan J, Ben B, and Javier) appear content to follow the rules as they work on the revived school newspaper with their cherished teacher Ms. J. To top it off, Benito's ghost appears to be typing new messages in their old secret sibling chat room on Sandbox. Holt's sequel digs into Ben Y's journey grappling with grief and identity. The novel hits the important points of understanding and verbalizing what one is feeling. Additionally, Ben Y's bond with her friends demonstrates that those who truly know someone will accept them as they are and that opening up to friends and family can make a world of difference when someone is having a rough time. Every student has their own unique voice exhibited through mixed formats of chat screens, free verse, stream of consciousness, and illustrations to distinguish narrators. Physical character descriptions are vague; Ben Y and Javier are cued Latinx by name. VERDICT An excellent addition to "The Kids Under the Stairs" series and one that kids and adults alike will supremely enjoy. Emily Walker, Lisle Lib. Dist., IL
Kirkus ReviewsAn emotionally charged, dynamic novel in verse.Holt's follow-up to 2020's Benbee and the Teacher Griefer follows another character from the ensemble cast. This entry focusing on Ben Y, who prefers Ben to the full name Benita and is exploring gender identity, is accessible without exposure to the prior volume; although it picks up without much explanation of past relationships, the strong narrative style does all the heavy lifting. Reeling from the death of a sibling and the subsequent social fallout of "dead-brother-itis," Ben Y retreats deeper into friendships, game worlds, and the escape provided by the Newspaper Typing Club led by the trusted Ms. J. Over the summer, in this safe space for divergent learners, close bonds formed between Ben Y, Ben B, Jordan, and Javier. At school, Ben Y wavers between feeling unseen and being picked on and takes bold steps to carve out personal space, including an interest in newcomer Ace. Ben Y also faces challenges as the bullish principal imposes limits on their school paper and becomes invested in punishing dress-code violations. This focused character study delivers layered attention to grief and self-exploration. Multiple formats, including chat messages in the Minecraft-like Sandbox, combined with extraordinary pacing make this a win for reluctant readers, while the humor and emotional reach will draw in anyone interested in middle-grade emotional realism. With minimal physical descriptions, names cue ethnic diversity.Accomplished, lively, and heartfelt. (Verse novel. 8-13)
School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)
Kirkus Reviews
George meets Ms. Bixby's Last Day in this inspiring, heartfelt novel-in-verse, the second in a new series from bestselling author K.A. Holt.
This second book in a new series by K.A. Holt will appeal to fans of House Arrest, Rhyme Schemer, and Knockout, in addition to fans of Jason Reynolds's Track series.
Ben Y's just about had it with school. Every corner she turns, she's being called "Benita," getting Dress Coded by Mr. Mann for some supposedly inappropriate item of clothing, or running into the ineffable, inescapable, indefinable Ace—who makes her feel weird, weirdly seen, and strangely at peace, all at once. Even her best buds—Ben B, Jordan J, and Javier; the kids under the stairs—are all far too content following the rules and making their school newspaper under the attentive direction of their beloved teacher, Ms. J.
And home's no better. Last year, Ben Y's older brother died, and the family is still learning how to cope—if by coping you mean coming home to cry at lunch, or secretly building a friendship bracelet empire, or obsessively visiting a chatroom to talk to Benicio's ghost. When Benito suddenly starts typing back, Ben Y must act. But what happens when those very actions make Ben Y's deepest secrets impossible to hide?
Readers will easily identify with the variety of funny, authentic lovable characters—not to mention the emphasis on a Minecraft-like game and fun visuals like online chats and doodles. Parents, kids, educators and librarians alike will love the way the book celebrates all the different ways to be smart—and recognizes all the different ways it's hard to be a kid.
With a lovable cast of characters and raw, authentic emotion, this heartwarming, laugh-out-loud novel-in-verse tells an honest story about friendship, family, and personal identity that celebrates different types of intelligence and shows how every kid deserves to become their own "divergent" self.
NEW UNDERSTANDING OF IDENTITY: The main character in this book is struggling to figure out how she defines herself, both on the inside and to others. It's a struggle many young readers will recognize from their own experiences.
FRIENDSHIP ISSUES: This book navigates the difficulty of changing friendships, particularly when a new friend joins the group. It's an issue nearly every kid goes through in middle school, and will ring authentic to all young readers.
POPULAR AUTHOR: K.A. Holt's books have been nominated for awards in over 30 states. She is popular on the school speaking circuit and presents keynote speeches throughout the year and all over the world, making her a trusted name and a favorite for middle grade readers.
PERFECT FOR RELUCTANT READERS: Fewer words on each page make this book engaging and approachable for all different types of readers. The characters in the book also struggle with reading, but they are not shamed or looked down on for it, so readers with similar difficulties will feel understood.
NEWSPAPER THEME: The kids in this story work on their school newspaper, turning their tech skills into something their teachers approve of—and something that allows them to stand up for what they believe in.
MINECRAFT APPEAL: The characters in the book play Sandbox, which readers will instantly recognize as a fictionalized version of the immensely popular Minecraft, a game with over 74 million monthly players. Playing Sandbox is depicted as both cool and educational, which will uplift rather than shame young readers for playing video games, and inspire parents, teachers, and librarians to consider non-traditional approaches to traditional school.
Perfect for:
• Fans and players of Minecraft and other video games
• Reluctant readers
• Fans of Kari Holt
• Educators