There seems to have been a recent surge of quality when it comes to middle grade literature (see: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Aru Shah</span> &amp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Breakout</span>), and let me tell you: I am here for it. Middle grade books have all of the drama and intense subject matter of young adult literature, but none of the romantic entanglements. There is rarely, if ever, any sort of romance in middle grade literature, and if there is it's simply a crush or a chaste first kiss. This tends to make the plots of middle grade move quicker, and leaves them more room to get their message across.

When I requested <span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Benefits of Being an Octopus</span> on NetGalley, I was figuring I'd get something about strained family dynamics and puberty. I had no idea what I was actually getting myself into, and it was something that will stick with me for a while to come.

<strong>Rating: </strong><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-475" src="http://bookishgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/5cat-rating-1.png" alt="" width="263" height="50" />
<h2>How I'd Describe This Book to a Friend</h2>
Zoey is a seventh grader, and if any book character can remind me of what it's like to be in middle school, it's Zoey. We feel her tension in the classroom, with the boy she has a crush on who rides her school bus. We see her hatred for speaking up in class, her disdain for the popular girls. But there is something different about Zoey that we never see in other literature: Zoey is poor.

We meet Zoey when she and her family are in flux - they are living with her mother's latest boyfriend Lenny, sharing a cramped trailer between Lenny, his father, Zoey, her mom, and her three younger siblings (infant Hector, preschoolers Bryce and Aurora). Her mother works part time at the local pizza place, and they scrape by just enough day after day - but they have a roof over their head, and so Zoey doesn't mind shoplifting cans of Easy Cheese from the local convenience store to keep her siblings occupied. She is their sole caretaker for most of their day, and she must keep them quiet so they don't bother Lenny or his dad. This means that homework and school are not a priority. In fact, Zoey just doesn't do it - she doesn't have time. But her lifelong passion for the octopus - an animal that I have learned so much about through Zoey's eyes! - leads her to fill out an assignment packet for once, to participate in a debate about what the superior animal is. And that little packet will change everything.
<h2>The Bottom Line</h2>
There are so many hot-button topics in this story, and they are wound seamlessly here through the eyes of a twelve year old. We see poverty, child neglect and abuse, the failed foster system. There is a subplot about gun control that I honestly cannot applaud the author for enough - I myself am fairly anti-gun, and I found myself agreeing with some characters in the book who felt the same way as I did. But when Zoey started thinking about all the reasons they've helped her and her friends - people who rely on hunting, her neighbor Silas whose father hunts to make ends meet and put food on the table - it made me question my own belief systems as a 29 year old woman. This is not easy to do.

I absolutely adored Zoey. I saw her mother's quiet strength and dignity, the way she fell apart when she thought no one was looking and how she had to be strong for her children - how she always put them first, without fail. We see how growing up around anger affects children - little Bryce, who becomes stoic and withdrawn and just wants to fight everyone. We see Zoey's best friend Fuschia, a byproduct of a failed foster system who is now stuck with her mother she hates and her mom's boyfriend who is downright dangerous. And perhaps most influential of all, Zoey's Social Studies teacher, who won't let her fade into the backdrop. We meet all of these truly unique characters who are flawed, but not failing. And that's an important distinction.

Zoey draws parallels constantly between herself and an octopus - she yearns to have more arms, to wrangle her siblings. She utilizes her octopus camouflage to blend in when she feels uncomfortable. And as odd as that might sound, let me tell you it <em>works</em>, and it works well. I am absolutely captivated by Zoey's story, her family's journey, and the love that surrounds her. If you work with students or kids, please pick this book up - honestly, you should pick it up no matter what. I promise you won't regret it. Middle grade literature has set the bar very high for me in 2018, and I couldn't be more pleased.

<blockquote>“Sometimes if you don’t have a jacket and you’re sitting next to someone who does, you feel colder. But sometimes, if the right person is wearing it, you feel warmer.”</blockquote>

*I was given a review copy from the author and publisher. My opinions are my own*
Ann Braden has written the story of many children. This is a story that not only needs to be read by students, but also by teachers. Zoey is a teenage girl living in a trailer park with her Mom, her Mom's boyfriend, the owner of the trailer and her three siblings. Life isn't easy taking care of your siblings, keeping the away from certain people and balancing school life at the same time. Sometimes it takes one adult that actually sees you to help you get through and sometimes you just have to rely on your own gut to do what is right and speak up when it's time to speak up.
This story will stick with me long after putting it back on the shelf and it will be one that I revisit often. The voices of Zoey, Silas and Fuchsia are underrepresented on our bookshelves. Their stories need to be told. My hope is that Ann Braden continues to write books and fills them with all the Things That Need To Be Said.
Hands down, a must read for educators and a necessary addition to our classrooms and libraries.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC copy of this book!

This is a beautiful book. I was a little surprised at how powerful it was; usually it takes me a few chapters before I start empathizing with the characters I'm reading, but for this book it was from page 1. Braden's characters are so honest and real, and relatable even though I have never been in a situation like they are in.

My biggest issue with the book was the topic they picked for debate. It almost feels too soon, and it took me out of the story a bit. That being said, though, it made sense for the plot and was necessary for much of the character development that took place (which is really to say, it wasn't gratuitous, which I appreciated even if I didn't agree with it).

Overall, it was an excellent book that tackled tough topics in a way that was easily understandable for middle graders.

It was raining all day today and that was perfect for me because I finished this book in almost one sitting.

I was drawn in by the cover and immediately liked the main character Zoey a lot. I’m always happy to read books about strong willed young adult girls. And the influence of a good role model. And kindness. So inspiring!

I also love that the author finishes her acknowledgements with this: “To the young people who are speaking up for what’s right, even when it’s hard … You are heroes.” so true!!

This was a great book and I enjoyed reading it! Thank you to Net Galley and Skyhorse publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

Really good read. The image of Zoey carrying a baby and a toddler on her 7th grade hips will stick with me for a long time. Full review on Goodreads.

I will be recommending this book to every teacher in my district. We often think we know what is happening under the surface of our students, but it is spelled out so clearly in this book. As teachers, we need to remember our students are people first and need us to show them their own strength. This story also opens conversations about domestic violence and how subtle it can be when it isn't physical violence.

Start to finish, I was unable to put down THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS despite the mom, home, and teacher work duties that called to me. Luckily, I read quickly. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Our protagonist, Zoey, is not completely aware of her situation as the plot first unfolds. She does not recognize the emotional abuse that is present in her home, but as an adult reader, you are painfully aware of the realization to come. Zoey's understanding and development as a character are authentic and riveting. She does her best to balance her responsibilities at home and her school responsibilities, but life comes first and school often falls to the wayside. She becomes a hero by being able to make the first tough steps towards change. I feel, as an educator, that the time that it takes Zoey to take those steps and change her mindset is authentic to her struggles and age. Our upper middle grade and young adult readers will be able to attach themselves to Zoey and make that growth with her as they read, which is the core of a good book for this age group. On top of that, the message of empathy is invaluable. Perhaps the most authentic part of the story is that though our heroine is able to move herself, her family, and her friend out of a perilous danger zone, there is no magical, easy happy ending - just as is true in real life.

Ann Braden skillfully weaves the octopus metaphor throughout the story - it's not just a pretty cover that's trying to pull you in. The octopus provides both symbolism for the themes of the story & is our protagonist's personal symbol. If you didn't go in as an octopus fan, you will learn something and come out as one!

This is a book that needs to be in the hands of students, so that the ones who haven't experienced poverty can grow from it, and so that the ones that have can see themselves reflected and ultimately triumphant. Tenderly written, THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS tackles difficult themes and issues (poverty, domestic abuse, the gun debate) and is a perfect read that I recommend to everyone from middle school to adults.

Let me preface this review by saying I solely read this book because it had “octopus” in the title. Seriously, I didn’t read the description, I didn’t look up the author…I just dove in because …. octopus.



It’s a thing…me and octopuses. Yes, octopuses.



My dad was a scuba diver and we shared a love for all things octopus. My collection is more extensive than my tattoos.

Now…this book. The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a middle grade book – a book I normally have no business reading. Except that now I’m looking for new books for my daughter to read. And maybe in a year or two she’ll be ready for this.

“Sometimes you just need something solid that fits entirely in your hand.” Probably my favorite quote in this book…this one sentence holds so much depth. Especially for a story about an awkward seventh grade girl who is juggling taking care of her three younger siblings, trying not to be noticed at school, and being part of a debate club she has zero interest in.

“Octopuses have three hearts and all of mine are broken.” This. I will warn you that if you have strong feelings about gun laws this may not be the book for you. While it isn’t the center of the book, it still holds a place within the story. For me, I absolutely love the direction it went. I appreciate Ann Braden’s attempt at showing another side to a hot button topic.

“Sometimes if you don’t have a jacket and you’re sitting next to someone who does, you feel colder. But sometimes, if the right person is wearing it, you feel warmer.” All. The. Feels. There are some amazing quotes in this story and so much to be taken away from it. It’s possible that I could read this story several times and take away something new each time. I truly believe middle grade children can benefit from reading a book about speaking out, even when it’s scary or difficult.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this book. Gives great perspective on what some of our students are going through. I will be rethinking how I handle homework in the future, as well as how I can better encourage my students.

Seventh grader Zoey likes octopuses and wishes she could be one because of all the responsibilities she has to shoulder. She takes care of her younger siblings every day after school while her mom works her shift at a pizza parlor. Their family lives in her mom's boyfriend's trailer. Kids at school also make fun of her because sometimes she's more grimy than she'd like. In addition, her best friend, Fuschia is dealing with her own issues. Then, her teacher asks her to join the school's debate team and Zoey starts to realize that she may need to stand up for herself and her family.

At first, I had no idea where this story was going, but it's not often that you read a middle grade novel with a protagonist dealing with real "adult" challenges. Zoey is too busy to do things that other kids can indulge in without a second thought. I enjoyed the way Ann Braden handles all the subplots in this story, from Fuschia, Silas, to Zoey's mom and even the kids in her school. I finished this feeling like I understood all the characters.

Still, at the crux of the matter of this book is a powerful debate and it's clear that Braden wants us to view the issue she addresses from a different perspective. I definitely think this book will generate great conversation and that's important.

Zoey is a gem of a character, revealing her depth in the way she faces adversity in her seventh grade year. Living in a trailer with her three younger siblings and mother's boyfriend- she is overwhelmed by the responsibilities at home to keep the family together. This novel explores tough themes: domestic and gun violence, poverty and verbal abuse. This is all done with such tact, I wouldn't hesitate to share this with middle grade readers.
The octopus metaphor was beautifully done throughout the book- and is represented in a stunning way on the cover. I love how the octopus is an extension of her... the part of her that in "unseen"... underneath the surface. Brilliant.
"My very own octopus tattoo. With strong tentacles lined with suckers and an unblinking eye that stares everyone else down. Because this is my moment when everything is suddenly clear. I'm not going to be like my mom. I'm not going to let anybody mess with me. When an octopus sends up its spray of ink, it means business. It's going to throw off the predator- and then it's going to escape. And nobody's a better escape artist than an octopus."

When a teacher takes notice of Zoey and convinces her to become a part of the debate team, everything changes. Zoey's "octopus" is becoming more visible. She is beginning to come out of hiding and take a stand, even when her mother cannot.
We know how important it is for our students to see themselves in the stories they read. I found it empowering to follow Zoey through all the rough patches and succeed in spite of her socioeconomic status. We need diverse books. This one is a must. Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a well-written, engaging tale that will allow students of lower socioeconomic status to see themselves represented in literature. It will provide them a story of hope and perseverance and I would therefore recommend it to students.

I absolutely adored this! Stayed up until midnight finishing it. Didn't want to stop. Beautifully written and I loved Zoey so much! A definite keeper :)

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the cover. It's simple, yet colorful and aesthetic, and it fits the vibe of the story very well!

The Benefits of Being an Octopus follows Zoey, a seventh grader who doesn't have time to deal with crushes or even homework. She's too busy taking care of her younger siblings while her family barely scrapes by. But one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club, and Zoey can't stop thinking how much easier life would be if she was an octopus with eight arms and the ability camouflage. Surprisingly, joining the debate club helps Zoey see things in a different light and with everything going on at home, at school, and with Zoey's best friend Fuchsia, that's exactly what she needs.

This was quite a quick read and the writing style was very engaging. The narration was authentic and it really sounded like everything was from a seventh grader's perspective. Although I understand that the age factored in, I personally still felt a little frustrated at the simple terms the narrator thought in, even towards the end.

Another frustration factor was regarding character development. It was definitely there, but it didn't quite pick-up until the 70% mark, and waiting for it was quite a task. I think the author captured the binary thinking of younger students very well; in fact, I really loved how I could truly empathize with the main character, even though I may disagree with them. This book really made me look at people beyond their arguments, and it points out that what's frustrating about politics aren't the people on the other side, it's close-mindedness by anyone and often, everyone.

Regarding the rest of the characters, I'm not sure I felt as much love for them as I could have. I think that some of them could have been fleshed out more and I'm not 100% satisfied with how much backstory I got. Fuchsia was a character that could have used more screentime and personality before she became a plot device.

The plot was very interesting overall, though I did feel like it got a little messy. The book bounced between subplots, and I think the resolution tying them together was a little weak, and I'm not sure how satisfied I am.

Overall, I'd still recommend this book to everyone, and I think even adults could learn a lot from this book, which really makes the reader take a step back and look at both sides of every coin.

This could be one of the books that everybody should read.. it’s talking about important subjects; gunlaws, domestic violence, both physical and mental abuse, living below the poverty level and so on. This book could mean a world of difference to quite a lot of people; it opens a new POV on everything, one that deserves to be seen.
I really loved the octopus story through the entire book, the sayings, all the little facts.. it made it so much more realistic and hopeful and I loved it.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus takes an honest look at how poverty and domestic verbal abuse impacts the life of 7th grade Zoey and her family. This novel is well written and will resonate with young adults, if not on a personal level, then to guide them towards compassion to others.

I think this fabulous novel will resonate with many different readers. There are layers here that, when peeled away, get to the heart of many social issues today. There is Zoey, who cares for her younger siblings while her mom works. Silas, who is mute at school as a defense mechanism. Fuchsia, who has lived in foster care but is now back with her mother. The characters are well developed, and there are many to like, love, cheer for, or hate. I am pleased that the publisher and NetGalley allowed me to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a riveting Young Adult novel. In the acknowledgements Ann Braden reveals this book was inspired by the need for students in poverty to view themselves in literature. Braden also dedicates the book to her single mother, and those two details inform how she was able to craft such a heartfelt, genuine book.

Zoey is a 7th grader with three younger siblings. Her single mother has moved them into her boyfriend's trailer. There's never enough money and her mother is stretched to near breaking, so Zoey is expected to assist with childcare. As I have witnessed in real life, children faced with such issues mature quickly because they have to. The realities of their life are raw; there is a constant fear of overdrawn accounts and past due bills, with a reliance on public transportation or your own two feet because having a working car of your own is a luxury.

Zooey repeatedly watched a show about octopuses and found herself drawn to their abilities, and references are naturally worked in throughout the book:

"If I were an octopus, things would be so much easier. I'd have one arm to wipe Aurora's nose. Two more for holding both kids' hands when I pick them up from the Head Start bus stop to keep Bryce from wandering into the street after some rock he's spotted. One to hold Hector and his diaper bag on the afternoons when my mom works at the Pizza Pit. One to adjust my shirt because it doesn't really fit and it can get too revealing if I'm not paying attention, and I don't want to be 'that girl.' One so I could do my homework at least some of the time if I wanted. One to pick up the Cheerios that are always on the floor. And the last one to swipe a can of Easy cheese from the Cumberland Farms convenience store. Because little snowmen out of Easy Cheese are the most magical thing little kids have ever seen. And Easy Cheese letters on a saline is totally different than having to eat regular saltines."

We witness the value of teachers and the pivotal role they can play to notice what's going on, in spite of a student's hopes of fading into the background and being invisible; they can come alongside struggling students and challenge and support them. Zoey has one particular teacher who won't let her fall between the cracks, instead urging her to "suck it up" -- to see her circumstances for what they are but not to wallow in them. Instead, look at your life honestly but make changes. Zoey is stretched by this teacher and her participation in debate club, and her decisions have pivotal impacts on her mother and two close friends.

This book made me ache and be anxious because the text feels genuine. Without revealing spoilers, there isn't a magical, unrealistic happy ending, but there is improvement and hope for the future. As I also read Educated, this was a complementary pairing to that memoir about poverty and education. The fact that they worked so well together further reinforces how well written The Benefits of Being an Octopus is.

Research has demonstrated that reading a book creates empathy; the mental connections are as if the reader has lived through the experiences themselves. With that knowledge in hand, this book would be a valuable tool in classrooms and could create a lasting impact on students to see each other as they truly are and to bring awareness to the varied experiences they have when they enter the doors of a school.

I found the ARC for this book on NetGalley after a friend raved about it. I admire the way the book deftly deals with many important issues while still being appropriate for middle level students. As a teacher, I probably had many students dealing with these same issues, only I did not realize the delicate balance going on in their lives, whether it's waiting for the EBT payment to be able to buy more food, stowing possessions in trash bags, juggling jobs and transportation, or students too busy helping with child care to do their homework.

The octopus theme was very cleverly handled, although a bit less at the end, and Zoey applying what she learned in debate club to the way her mother was being verbally abused was an interesting connection. I can't think of many books for students dealing so much with verbal abuse rather than physical violence. It was also nice to have another book with a teacher as a positive role model; Ms. Rochambeau was awfully patient with Zoey. My only quibble is that things seem to wrap up a bit too easily with Zoey in charge; was what she said in her outburst at debate club all that provocative to earn so much admiration? Still, as the author said, she wanted to write a book where many of our students could see themselves and relate.

Wow! Wow! Wow! This book was just amazing. AMAZING! It hooked me right from the start and did not disappoint throughout the book. I always worry about giving away too much information when writing a review. Let’s just say that this book dealt with some issues that I hadn’t seen before in a middle grade novel. While this book may be slightly too sophisticated for my grade 3 readers, I could definitely see it in older grades. This book touched me like Out of My Mind, Fish In A Tree, Rain Reign etc. This book definitely touched my heart and soul. I cannot believe this is Ann Braden’s first book. This is definitely one to add to your library!