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Book #40
4.5/5
This YA read is surprisingly insightful and wrll-written. It is written from the POV of a young girl who lives with her 3 younger siblings, her mom, and her youngest sibling's dad. There are themes of domestic abuse, poverty, and parentification (if you don't know, Google it - it's a thing).

#LittenListen @aperfectmjk

Profoundly beautiful! 😍

This book broke my heart, but it's such a great read. It was listed as a middle grade at my library, but readers of all ages can appreciate this one.

I don't want to say too much, but if you're a fan of Renee Watson, Jason Reynolds, or Jacqueline Woodson, you'll love this one too.

29/100, 3☆, This book was sweet and well written. A great middle grade story that has themes that pertain to all age groups.

#bookspin #bookspinbingo

#selfcarebingo

*Foot soak last night for my eczema
*Sent some funny memes to my friends who were having a rough day
*I take naps most days 😴
*Ate breakfast outside this morning
*Binged my favorite YouTube creator
*Lit a new candle and did some crystal cleansing last night

Wonderful

Book 81

This book is an inspirational after school special. 🙄

Poor middle school kid with an unstable homelife wasn't doing schoolwork and had poor self esteem until she was invited to debate club by the social studies teacher where she learns Moms boyfriend is emotionally abusive, and stands up for a friend who was threatened with a gun, and gets both famies out of danger.
Yay debate club!

Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. It‘s a heartfelt look at the courage it takes to stand up to and stand up for the people you love--including yourself.
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

wow. i enjoyed reading a book about someone who isn‘t just some rich white girl. this really put things into perspective for me. beyond the story, the cover is amazing! i do love some good cover art. but i do recommend this book if you are looking for a story with a happy ending and want to put things into perspective.

I did some housecleaning and baking this afternoon and evening while listening to this book. It is a much heavier middle grade story than I was expecting that deals with poverty, sibling responsibilities, domestic abuse, and responsible gun ownership. I appreciated the octopus facts and the analogy to her life. Zoey‘s perspective and her growth are important to share. 🐙

#middlegrade #audiobook #audiobaking #Hoopla #TRS2019

The Thing About Jellyfish, take two, and much better! Less sea creature facts and more story. It wasn't entirely endearing, but it was heartfelt, simple, and enjoyable.

Trying to finish a few more middle grade/YA novels before students start in just under two weeks. Tagged book is fantastic so far.

a middle-grade novel that touches on issues of poverty, hard choices, and bravery.

I had a book club meeting with several students this morning and had great discussion. I highly recommend this book for middle grade readers to see perspectives that aren't often represented in literature. There are a lot of heavy themes, but that's why it's so important.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden is a stellar debut and an important book to share with kids. It explores tough topics like poverty, emotional abuse, and gun violence while showing that there is always hope in the toughest of circumstances. Zoey is a strong character who learns how to stand up for herself, her friends, and her family when it matters most. I'll be discussing this one with kids next week for book club and can't wait!

Zoey is a 7th grader in rural Vermont. She has much more on her plate than her more financially stable peers. This book tackles housing insecurity, emotional abuse, and much more. I appreciated the way the guns were discussed. When shots are fired in the school parking lot, a quiet boy who hunts is wrongly accused. Braden frames the debate so kids can understand but also highlights the points that get lost when we talk in all-or-nothing terms.

A middle grade book about poverty, family, and responsibilities.

I'm fangirling today!!! Got to meet this amazing author at #nerdcampnj I am so impressed with all she does for the Kidlit community and the world at large. If you don't already you need to know Ann Braden. Oh, and her book is great too! #librariansoflitsy #teachersoflitsy

In a #middlegrade kind of mood lately. Really looking forward to this one

I loved this story about an octopus obsessed young girl who finds the courage to speak truth even when she seems to be the only one who sees things the way she does. You will fall in love with Zoey!

Seventh grader Zoey is up to her eyeballs in responsibilities she shouldn't have to bear: caring for herself, two toddlers, a baby; while trying to stay out of the way of her mom's verbally abusive boyfriend. It's fiction but I know this is a reality for many kids. But she finds her bravery when encouraged by a teacher who cares...

Zoey's lifestyle(in rural Vermont) is one shared by (probably) millions of US kids today and that in itself is heartbreaking. Let's put it this way if you placed these characters in any other urban area it all plays out the same. I think this paired with anything by Jason Reynolds or Angie Thomas would make for some interesting discussions on social justice in the US and or how we can help those around us who are struggling.