Monday, November 4, 2013

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes

Just before Billy Miller, 7, begins 2nd Grade, he gets a bump on his head.  This bump makes him a little anxious that perhaps he might have trouble with school, especially after he overhears his parents talking about it.  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.  Then, to make matter worse, on the very first day he insults his teacher.

But wait, hadn't his dad told Billy on the way to school that this was "the year of Billy Miller?"  And so it is.  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.

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.  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.

But the question of who this book is for has come up again and again.  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 definitely not a chapter book for beginning readers, which is what usually happens around 2nd Grade.  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 also reminded me of Tomie dePaulo's 26 Fairmount Avenue series, but those are indeed chapter books for 7-10 year olds.

The way I see it is that The Year of Billy Miller is an episodic novel and for that reason, I think it is an ideal read-aloud book for 6 and 7 year olds, especially at bedtime, where a chapter a night can be manageably read, by or with an adult or older sibling.  And it is a perfect as a classroom read aloud, offering so many teachable moments, classroom activity possibilities and new vocabulary words to learn.  And what a wonderful book for a 1st Grade teacher to read at the end of the school year, helping to prepare his/her students as they are promoted into 2nd Grade.

I really enjoyed reading this compassionate story and I hope we get to meet Billy again, as he traverses 3rd, 4th and even 5th grade, growing and accomplishing each year, facing problems and anxieties that all kids have to deal with at that age.

This book is recommended for readers age 6+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL

11 comments:

  1. Is this Kevin Henkes first chapter book? This looks great!!!

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    1. Kevin Henkes has done other MG books like Junonia and Olive's Ocean, among others. He is really very, very talented. My favorite Kevin Henkes is still Kitten's First Full Moon. I love the illustrations.

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  2. I wish someone had read this to me when I was 6, it sounds lovely.

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    1. Yes, I would have much preferred a happy ending story to an older sister's terrifying tales of school when I was 6. It is a really charming book.

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  3. There was a song I used to listen to as a child that included the lyrics: "This is the year that will long be remembered, this year my song will be song. I am determined that when it is over, I will have only begun, to show to the world my potential, to show to the world what I am." I used to listen to it and think "this year... this year will be special" but I never had a defined way how. Anyway, I thought of that again as I read your review.
    I'll have to check if my library has the book. I hope it does.

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    1. What a great song and right for this book. I hope you can find it and enjoy it. It is fast, fun and so right for today's kids.

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  4. What a great recommendation - I like that cover. Thanks for sharing!

    Stopping by via Kid Lit Blog Hop

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    1. Yes, I thought it was perfect for Kid Lit Blog Hop. Kevin Henkes is so talented - illustrations and story. Thank you for stopping by.

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  5. This is awesome! Kevin Henkes' Penny series was beloved in our home for a while.. so this one is definitely going on our bookshelf! Thanks for sharing on Kid Lit Blog Hop!
    -Reshama @ Stackingbooks

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  6. I've heard so many good things about this book. I just saw it at our library so I'm going to have to snag it from there.

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  7. This sounds like a delightful read aloud! Thanks for sharing on the Kid Lit Blog Hop! Cheryl, Hop Hostess

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