the year of billy miller by kevin henkes

It also reminded me of Tomie dePaulo's 26 Fairmount Avenue series, but those are indeed chapter books for 7-10 year olds. And although it reminds me and others of the Ramona books, it is really still too young for those 7-11 year old readers. It is definitely not a chapter book for beginning readers, which is what usually happens around 2nd Grade. It looks and feels like a middle grade novel, but the character and story are too young to appeal to that age group. It is written with the characteristic Kevin Henkes simplicity but not in the least bit condescending and includes lots small,whimsical, marginalia-type drawings throughout.īut the question of who this book is for has come up again and again. The Year of Billy Miller is a very gentle, funny, sad, and entertaining book about one kid trying to navigate himself successfully through school and life. From his first humiliating moments on the first day of school, through to the end of the year, we journey with Billy as he grows in confidence, as he learns new and interesting things, and culminates is an wonderful poem to his mother, presented in the auditorium.

Then, to make matter worse, on the very first day he insults his teacher.īut wait, hadn't his dad told Billy on the way to school that this was 'the year of Billy Miller?' And so it is. It didn't help matters that on that very first day, his dad reread the letter from his teacher that said 2nd grade would be 'a wonderful, joyful, exciting challenge.' When he heard the world challenge, Billy really began to worry. This bump makes him a little anxious that perhaps he might have trouble with school, especially after he overhears his parents talking about it. A stand-alone companion to The Year of Billy Miller, a Newbery Honor Book.Just before Billy Miller, 7, begins 2nd Grade, he gets a bump on his head. This is a perfect novel for the early elementary grades and an essential choice for summer reading. Is Billy responsible? Award-winning author Kevin Henkes delivers a short, funny, and emotionally complex novel complete with misplaced love letters, surprising critters, art projects, misguided tattoos - and another surprise for Billy and his family, maybe the best one yet!

But he immediately regrets his wish when an ambulance rushes to his neighbor’s house.

On his birthday, Billy Miller wishes for something exciting to happen. 'A first-rate choice for reading aloud.' ( Booklist, starred review)īilly Miller is back! This stand-alone companion to two-time Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes’s award-winning, acclaimed, and bestselling The Year of Billy Miller, Billy Miller Makes a Wish is a laugh-out-loud funny and accessible story about summer, family, and wishes that (almost) come true.īilly Miller Makes a Wish is perfect for fans of the Ramona books and the Clementine series. 'Henkes is a master of characterization.' ( The Horn Book, starred review) 'Full of heart and depth.' ( Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

The year of billy miller by kevin henkes