I thought some of the story was very strong, but the minor characters (debate club members) lacked depth and drew me out of the story. She’s so sheltered in some ways and worldly in others so sometimes the MC was awkward to read. I think younger teens might enjoy.

Rating: 2.5/3. I can see the benefits of this book for younger audiences but something about it felt so unnatural. I can't put my finger on it but it may be how the characters reacted to situations. For example, Zoey’s behavior seemed to contradict itself on multiple occasions. One minute she seems like a naive child (she is only in 7th grade so I can accept some of it) who seemed so sheltered she didn't realize police brutality existed but the next minute she was so evolved and mature and was trying to convince her mom to leave her emotionally abusive boyfriend. It made no sense. I understand there needs to be some kind of character growth but with a book this short it seem pretty extreme. By the end of the book she was acting like a well-adjusted adult. Overall, it was a good book looking at pretty heavy topics like poverty, class disparity, self- esteem and abusive relationships. There was definitely good things here. I just wasn't a big fan of how they played out in the plot. There are better ways to approach these subjects.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Excerpt]:

Rating: 3.5 stars

Spoilers ahead!!

“The Benefits of Being An Octopus” is definitely a book meant for middle grade kids. The female protagonist, Zoey, is in seventh grade, which makes her about 13 years old, so I’d say this book would be appropriate for 10-15 year olds. I wasn’t aware that this book was meant for a younger audience, but it didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment. I went into this book not expecting very much; it seemed like a cute little story about a girl who decided to enter the debate club and found out that some things in her life weren’t what they seemed.

I was surprised by the heavy issues presented in this book, especially when the target audience is young preteens. The first issue was gun control. It was interesting to me (really interesting, actually) that Braden presented arguments for both sides of the gun control argument. “Get rid of guns because they kill/hurt/maim people and in the wrong hands can be lethal” and “Guns are needed to control the deer population, as well as other animal populations, and as long as people are safe and responsible with their guns while hunting, they should be able to maintain control of their guns.” I thought both these arguments made sense. If Braden had tried to say that guns are necessary for random citizens to carry around wherever they want for any reason, I might not have continued with the book. Or maybe I would have, but I would have given it less stars because I don’t agree with that at all. But the arguments were valid, and they gave me something to think about.

[Full review on my blog!]

I enjoyed this coming of age story. It is a story that can remind us all that our circumstances do not define us. Zoey knows better than most that life is not fair, but it is her discovery of her belief that despite this, we all deserve to be treated as if we matter. Finding her voice and courage to change not only her only life, but also the lives of those she holds close, reminds us that sometimes we don't have to look far for the strength and help we need. Braden does an excellent job of making us feel the trappings of Zoey and her friends, and to make those of us who have options thankful for our situations in life. I can only hope that this book will help us all take better care of each other. This book handles some of the unfortunate struggles that our children and society our forced to deal with: gun violence, domestic violence (mental not physical), school violence, drug addiction, and poverty among them. While handling these topics in a sensitive fashion, it may be a hard read for the more sensitive younger reader.

I was sucked into this book right away. I was desperate to find out what was going to become of Zoey and her family. Zoey's story also made me think about the number of students in my classroom every year that probably also live in situations similar to Zoey's and feel the same way she does, that they are trapped in a life where they are worthless. I thought this story was one of the most powerful stories I have read in a long time. I think it might be a bit old for my 4th grade classroom library, but I am definitely going to purchase a copy to keep in my closet, as I know that at some point I will have a student in my classroom who really needs it.

In this slice-of-life story about real life, Braden creates characters who are both vulnerable and brave and puts them in situations that are at once mundane and life-changing. Initially, the book moved a bit more slowly than I expected (I'd heard so much about it I think my expectations were skewed) but, this morning, I hit the point where I could not put this book down, and by the time I finished it, I was wiping away tears and wanting more.

Zoey, the protagonist, shares her world in a matter-of-fact voice and introduces us to a cast of characters we can't help but care about (well, most of them, anyway -- every story needs a bad guy or two). Zoey copes with the many challenges of her life using her imagination and her love of octopuses (and yes, Zoey says, that plural is acceptable). These octopus analogies cleverly bring the reader deeper into her psyche, regardless of the role she's playing (big sister, reliable daughter, concerned friend, all-but-invisible student) and despite her unwillingness to reveal much about herself to those around her. Insights into rural poverty and its challenges arise organically through the characters and their lives -- Zoey's mom and her boyfriend, the siblings Zoey helps care for, her best friend, her peers. There's no preaching and there are no magical solutions, but there is love and hope sprinkled throughout, sometimes in unexpected places. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who works with kids, as well as the teen audience for which it's intended.

My review is scheduled to appear in the September 1, 2018, issue of BOOKLIST Magazine, a publication of the American Library Journal.

Much love to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for allowing me early access to this book.

Zoey is a lovable little weirdo trying to survive being a teenager, an older sister, a friend, and an outsider.
This was a fantastic coming of age story with a delightfully quirky main character.
There were a few unanswered questions for me at the end, but not enough to deter me from recommending this to everyone.
Some heavy bits, some funny bits and some weird bits.
Give it a read, I think you'll like it!

Easy to read, but ultimately hollow.
The plot was messy, it seemed like the author forget about side stories and characters and then came back many chapters later like "well, actually, these things are still a thing". Storylines were left uncompleted, characters were left underdeveloped. The debate club seemed like just an excuse for Zoey (I had to think really hard to remember her name) to learn the definition of discrediting the opponent. She made no friends until the last few pages, she could've done without her teacher, she didn't learn any skills bc she didn't actually participate in any debate. There are popular girls at school that are mentioned only once like we've known them all along, which we don't.

The debate club teacher didn't care enough about Zoey. I don't care what you say, she just didn't. I wouldn't be surprised if she'd kept her distance on purpose just to forget her childhood. You see a student struggling with her toddler siblings and you just give her a thumbs up? You heard her say something about men with guns threatening little girls and you waited a whole week to ask her if she's okay? She's in poverty and in an abusive household and the ONLY thing you tell her is to suck it up? Fuck you. Honestly.

There was like this WHOLE plotline about being pro gun because hUnTiNg iS fUn and honestly I'm so angered about this the only words I have again are fuck you. Fuck you personally, author. What the fuck. What. The fuck. This is a middle grade???? With gun propaganda???? w h a t t h e f u c k

The final scene with the family running away from the abusive step dad and stuff was thrilling but didn't make me feel for the characters. It was too late.

There are times you can read a story that is not new because of the way it is being told. This is the story of Zoey who has three siblings and a mother to call her own. She has an opinion on her current living situations and she is not very popular in school(for reasons other than her opinions since she does not voice them often). Zoey's is not a unique case, but that does not make what she has to say any less important. Her fascination for octopuses litters the book with facts I had not known earlier. 

I read young adult/ children's books sometimes because it gives a fresh lease to my reading . This tale felt like a breath of fresh air, there is very subtle humour in the narration which does not really intend to make you laugh but provide an ambience. It has good flow and I think it holds an appeal to people of all ages who like to read a more diverse set of stories. There is not much of a plot, but the characters and what they learn about themselves that makes it worth the time.

I loved this raw and realistic middle grade book.  Zoey is poor and doesn't have time to do homework or wash her clothes because she has to help her mom watch her three little siblings.  And by watch, I mean feed, bathe, dress, and put to bed.  Reading about her struggles to try and fit in even though she is made fun of for living in a trailer court was heartbreaking. I have personally witnessed kids like Zoey at my job in education.  You see the embarrassment on their faces when their clothes aren't clean or their homework isn't done. They just don't have the support system some kids have, and they have to choose between school and family.  Zoey's strength and resilience is my favorite thing about this book.  She stands up for herself, her friends, and her mom.   The teacher portrayed in this book is awesome and I hope middle schoolers that read this book are inspired to seek a teacher's help and advice no matter what the problem is.

An excellent book with a very important story. I loved the role a teacher made in empowering the protagonist with the tools she needed to help her family. I hope many teachers read this book to help them walk the the path of a family in poverty.

This book provides a glimpse into the challenges that many children face. Zoey's strengths keep her family afloat, but often get in the way of school. The Benefits of Being an Octopus explore the complications of family, living in poverty, bullying, emotional abuse, and finding your voice.

One of my favorite books of the year, The Benefits of Being an Octopus, shares the story of Zoey who doesn't have time to by a typical kid as she spends her days taking care of her siblings while her mom works. Juggling school, homework, family and friendship, Zoey thinks that being an octopus with eight arms might just make her life easier. But when a teacher takes an interest in Zoey and convinces her to join the debate club, Zoey might just be able to see how things for her family could be better.

Zoey, a middle-schooler, is charged with work beyond her years: caring for her three very young siblings while her mother works, trying to keep the kids fed (by any means necessary), and staying out of the way of her mom's emotionally-abusive boyfriend. A caring teacher shows Zoey enough compassion mixed with demanding toughness to help Zoey realize that she has to take some action to help two vulnerable friends, her siblings, her mother, and herself.
I would give this book 10 stars of out 5 if that were an option, and it is going to take me a long time to process everything I've read here. This is a YA book that any adult who deals with kids should read. It will be eye-opening for teachers and other school leaders.

My review will be posted at thebaronessofbooks.weebly.com on Sept. 10, 2018. At this time, I will also post my review on GoodReads and link it on Twitter.

I liked seeing how Zoey balanced her family with deciding what kind of person she wanted to be. Her desire to be a kid who could speak up in class and turn assignments in on time conflicted with dealing with her mom’s abusive boyfriend and caring for her little siblings. However, at times I felt that Zoey was running away from her schoolwork instead of seeing it as another path to success and to be heard, like she wanted.

I’m not sure why, but I have two conflicting thought processes about this book: One, I liked it and found it enjoyable and the characters sympathetic, but Two, I just don’t have that much to say about it. On the whole, I liked it, and it deserves 4/5 stars, but I didn’t feel like it really called to me in any specific way. I would definitely recommend it as a great middle-grade/YA read for those looking to read about kids finding their voices, dealing with poverty, and taking care of their families, because Zoey is an awesome main character.

Zoey doesn't have a chance to worry about the normal woes of seventh grade, like homework and crushes. She's too busy helping her family just scrape by, but with three other siblings, she'd have to be an octopus with eight tentacles to juggle every task. However, one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club and soon Zoey can't help but examine the different sides of the relationships around her.

Zoey is such a strong and complicated character to follow throughout this novel. When she finds herself facing a difficult situation, she reverts to the knowledge of her favorite animal, the octopus, and uses that information to develop defense mechanisms that she believes help move her forward. This works on multiple levels, particularly in that we get to learn some great octopus facts, but also in that it allows her to be a very introspective character for a large stretch. Her point of view on life is so clear from the first page and it propels all the action.

And what a point of view. It's great seeing middle grade fiction tackle economic diversity through a novel that so carefully describes one community's poverty. There are a lot of small details about this that keep the book feeling real. This is no more evident than when exploring emotional abuse with Zoey's mom and her boyfriend. These scenes are difficult to read, but they're written with such empathy and understanding of how this seventh grader would see it.

I really can't say enough great things about this book.

Ann Braden has written one of the strongest debut middle grade novels in a long, long time.

I thought the strongest elements in this story were Zoey's compassionate heart, in the midst of taking care of both herself and her family. She has a harsh living situation, yet, she demonstrates great courage. I will be sure to recommend this book to the right reader and in my book talks to upper elementary-middle schoolers. I will also recommend it to teachers when they ask for books that share diverse stories of empathy.

“All I need is to know something—and I do. And maybe, just maybe, if I do this—and if I can rock it—all the other kids will have their minds blown, and it’ll be completely satisfying to watch. ‘Who would have guessed,’ they’ll say, ‘that Zoey knew so much cool stuff? I had no idea! I thought I knew who she was, but clearly I didn’t at all.’ Maybe Kaylee Vine would even stop holding her nose and switching seats on the bus to get away from me.”

The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a treasure of a book — I absolutely loved it! If I could give it six stars, I would! At its core, it is an inspiring story about finding oneself and empowerment. It may be intended for teens and YA, but it will definitely resonate with adults. It’s an amazing debut novel and I cannot wait to read what Ann Braden writes next.

Zoey is a seventh grader who is working on her debate prep. The assigned topic — what is the best animal and why. For Zoey, the answer is the octopus and she knows many reasons why it surpasses all others. In fact, she is very knowledgeable about the eight-legged creature and even identifies with them at times.

Zoey is responsible for looking after her three younger siblings (ranging in age from infant to four years old) and it takes up a lot of her free time. She is not a great student and doesn’t really care about school. She never participates in class and as she explains, she isn’t the kind of kid that does homework.

Besides being unsuccessful at school, Zoey is bullied by her classmates. She doesn’t fit in and doesn’t seem to care. She also feels unappreciated by her mother, who she sees as having markedly changed since they moved in with her boyfriend Lenny. The reader cannot help but feel for Zoey and the challenging circumstances of her life. But one day her life, as well as those around her, will change when her social studies teacher becomes involved.

Likening herself to an octopus is a psychological coping mechanism for Zoey. She clearly suffers from an inferiority complex, among other things, and feeling that she shares some characteristics of an octopus helps guide her and gives her a perceived edge over her classmates. An added bonus for the reader is that we learn some interesting facts about the octopus.

“The chromatophores right under my octopus skin switch to camouflage. When I slide into the seat, I might as well be made of the same colors as the desk and the metal chair legs.”

“It’s like my octopus body has gotten trapped in a net. But there has to be an opening somewhere. If I can just stay calm and avoid getting tangled up …”

In fact, identifying with the eight-legged mollusk gives Zoey a sense of confidence, hope and courage when she most needs it. She is able to deal with stressful situations by imagining the advantages she has as an octopus.

“I can camouflage myself well enough to blend in with a desk. I just need to camouflage myself enough to blend in with them. I take a deep breath and extend my tentacles. “

“I can still blend in with the eager beavers. I can still pretend I’m like them. Maybe after long enough, that magic wand of confidence will mistake me for them, and give me a bop on the head, too.”

“Could I really be like them? I mean, an octopus can change colors ten times in a matter of seconds, so all sorts of ridiculous things are possible.”

Ann Braden does a remarkable job capturing the voice and temperament of a seventh grader.

“I hate waking them up. It’s like you’ve finally won the lottery of peace and quiet and then you rip that winning ticket to shreds and dump a bucket of angry, screaming monkeys on your head.”

“Silas has the kind of freckles that make you want to connect the dots to form constellations and dragons and things.”

“I slip into the stall that has you’re a slut carved on the side. I used to like to look at it sideways and pretend that it says you’re a slug and that it was carved by a cockroach who was just trying to help his slug friend who was having some identity issues.”

The Benefits of Being an Octopus explores many important and relevant topics - bullying, living day-to-day with poverty, emotional abuse, the gun debate and finding one’s voice (both literally and figuratively). Importantly, it shows how one person can make such a significant difference in a child’s life and its direction, in this case a teacher who cares.

Are you one of those kids at school who just want to blend into the background and remain unnoticed? But as hard as you try you still get picked on and made fun of by the popular kids? This would be Zoey. Zoey lives in a trailer park with her mom, her three younger siblings, her mom's boyfriend, and the boyfriend's dad. Lenny, her mom's boyfriend, seems to have things all together - he has two jobs, he has a car, his trailer is perfectly organized and spotless, and he always makes sure his appearance is perfection. Things may look good to those outside the trailer, but in reality, Lenny is very abusive - not physically, but with words. Zoey's mom works the night shift at a pizza parlor which means that Zoey has to be responsible for four-year-old, a three-year-old, and a baby. Zoey is in seventh grade and way too young to have so much responsibility. She wants so badly to be like the octopus - she needs eight arms plus she wants the ability to blend into the background. Zoey's teacher takes a great interest in her and gets her to join the debate club. Zoey just sits back and observes the others and is so jealous at how confident the other kids are. She wants so bad to be them, but she knows she was not born to stand out. As things start getting worse in her own home, things start getting really bad in her best friend's home also. Will Zoey find her courage and voice to stand up for herself and ultimately give her mom the courage to stand up also? Can Zoey help her best friend, even if it means she has to go back into foster care? Will Zoey find her voice and step out of her comfort zone in front of the debate club peers? Read this incredible story of love, friendship, and finding ones self.

The Benefits of Being An Octopus tackles so many issues facing our kids today... bullying, domestic violence, gun control, and poverty. Ann Braden does a fantastic job of pulling you into Zoey's world from page one and she doesn't let you go until the last page. I wanted so much to wrap my arms around Zoey and also be a cheerleader for her. Towards the end of the story my heart was beating so fast, just like I was in the story with Zoey and her family. I fear that so many of my students at school live just like this and I have no idea what they are going through when they walk out of that school. Zoey has to deal with not having dinner every night, not having clean clothes all the time, and sleeping in the same room with two very much young siblings. This story will grab your heart and hold it until the very end. Do not miss this amazing book!!!