This is a powerful story for young people.

Many important themes were explored in this story, such as poverty and abuse. Zoey takes care of her siblings while her mom works. She learns that her mother is in an abusive relationship, and Zoey tries to find a way out of it. Even though she is a child, she knows she can and must do something to help her mother.

Her friend Fuchsia faces similar problems. Her mother’s boyfriend threatens Fuchsia if she reports her mother to family services. Fuchsia feels trapped, as if she cannot tell her mother because she won’t believe her, so she is ready to accept her future. Zoey has to show her that she can stand up for herself.

Zoey is a very strong character. She stands up for many people in this book, including her siblings, her mother, and her friends. Though some parts were difficult to read about, these are real situations that happen to kids all the time. I really enjoyed this book.

For seventh grader Zoey Albro, living in Vermont in a trailer with her mother, three siblings, step father Lenny and his father Frank, life really isn't easy. It's her job to get Bryce and Aurora up, dressed and out for school every morning. And after school, Zoey has to care for them while her mother works in a low wage job waiting tables in pizza shop, then make sure the kids get dinner, eaten in their bedroom so they don't get in Lenny's way or disturb Frank's constant TV watching, and get them to bed, and hope sleep isn't interrupted one of by Bryce's nightmares that began after they moved in with Lenny.

Zoey's dislike for Lenny is no secret, but it is mutual. She hates that he constantly berates her mother for doing things wrong, ignores her, Bryce and Aurora, and only paying attention to his son Hector. And now, Lenny has lost his job.

So, even though she would like to do it, there just isn't any time for Zoey to work on her homework, not even the latest assignment - a debate prep packet on the topic Which animal is best? That's easy for Zoey, who knows that being an octopus is the best, and she already has all the information she needs to support her argument. She often thinks that if she had all those arms, she could do so much more to make life easier for the kids and her mom. Besides, an octopus has the ability to camouflage itself when it needs to hide, something she would really like to be able to do, especially at school.

Where her teachers are always disappointed that she hasn't done the required work, her only friends are Silas, a loner who loved to go hunting with his father, and Fuchsia, a girl with her own serious issues. Zoey never speaks in class, preferring to try to be invisible, and yet, always subjected to bullying by the other kids in school.

Filling in the debate prep may have been an easy task for Zoey, but then, of course, she would have to speak in front of the class. First, she forgets her packet, then when given another chance, she lies and says she has forgotten it again. When her Social Studies teacher, Ms. Rochambeau, discovers the Zoey's debate prep packet in the trash and reads it, she begins to see her in a different light and insists that she join the debate team, even offering to drive her to where the school bus lets Bryce and Aurora off in the afternoon so she can still babysit them.

At first, Zoey has not interest in participating in the debate club, and having to work with who make no secret of what they think of her. But the more she learns about the art of debating, the more she begins to understand the way her stepfather has been manipulating and verbally abusing her mother and why her once strong, independent mother has become cowed by his treatment.

But can Zoey put her new debating skills into practice and convince her mother to leave Lenny and their toxic relationship before it is too late? And where would they go?

I had a hard time collecting my thoughts about this novel. Certainly, from a teacher's perspective, I thought it was great - here was a teacher who looked beyond the obvious and found the real Zoey, a girl who needed support, encouragement, but mostly validation.

The Benefits of Being a Octopus is told from Zoey's point of view, in the first person present. Her narration is open and honest, at times, brutally honest. Zoey is a smart, strong, courageous girl with way too many responsibilities put on her shoulders by the (supposed) adults around her, who should have been taking care of her, not the other way around.

Braden has put Zoey in a difficult life - she and her family seem to have alway lived in poverty. She's never known her father, though Bryce and Aurora's father was in the picture for a while before leaving, and only baby Hector belongs to Lenny. Clothes and toys are bought second hand and Zoey's mom is eligible for public assistance. This is real realistic fiction and Braden's writing is as hard-hitting and matter of fact as Zoey's story.

And yet, it is also a book with a message of hope. It would take a lot of strength to get up every morning and face Zoey's day, but she does it without too much resentment but a lot of humiliation. Gradually, thanks to the rules of debate and Ms. Rochambeau's belief in her, that changes and Zoey can see her way out of the terrible circumstances they are in because of being so poor and dependent on Lenny for a roof over their heads.

Zoey may have wished she has eight arms so she could get everything done herself, but in the end, it is a combination of her own resilience and determination, and the arms of those around her reaching out that ultimately help her find her way in this well crafted coming of age novel.

My only regret: The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a book I wish I had had to share with my students when I was teaching 4th grade in the Bronx.

You can download a very useful Educator's Guide for this book on Ann Braden's website HERE

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was an EARC received from NetGalley

This is a well-written story with an emotional poignancy about poverty and relationships that I couldn’t put down. Zoey is trying to stay hidden to survive her life but it’s not easy. She and her siblings live with their mom’s newest boyfriend in his trailer. She cares for her siblings while her mom works, avoiding making a mess or too much noise. A kind teacher at school persists with a reluctant, trying-to-stay-hidden Zoey, encouraging her to try debate club. It’s this activity that eventually gives Zoey the courage and perspective to talk to her mom about everything — from her mom’s boyfriend’s belittling to her own friend getting threatened with a gun. That conversation changes everything for their family for the better… I hope this book encourages kids to consider what makes a healthy relationship and how to stand up for yourself when you’re not in one.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a debut novel that deals with the realities of poverty, gun and domestic violence – all through the eyes of a seventh grade girl who’s more used to caring for her siblings than she is for herself.


The Benefits of Being An Octopus CoverSome people can do their homework, some people get to have crushes on boys. Some people have other things they’ve got to do.

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. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there’s Lenny, her mom’s boyfriend—they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer.

At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. Her only friend Fuchsia has her own issues, and since they’re in an entirely different world than the rich kids, it’s best if no one notices them.

Zoey thinks how much easier everything would be if she were an octopus: eight arms to do eight things at once. Incredible camouflage ability and steady, unblinking vision. Powerful protective defenses.

Unfortunately, she’s not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in a new way: her mom’s relationship with Lenny, Fuchsia’s situation, and her own place in this town of people who think they’re better than her. Can Zoey find the courage to speak up, even if it means risking the most stable home she’s ever had?

This moving debut novel explores the cultural divides around class and the gun debate through the eyes of one girl, living on the edges of society, trying to find her way forward.

Goodreads

I received an eARC of The Benefits of Being An Octopus from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Benefits of Being an Octopus has some really great representation, but it makes it an incredibly hard book to read. Braden did a great job at making the reader feel the hopelessness that Zoey felt at the beginning of the novel, and slowly lightening it up as their family pulled their heads from underwater.

This novel needs trigger warnings for domestic abuse (mental and emotional), gaslighting, gun violence, a shooting outside of a school, bullying, severe anxiety, mentions of asthma attacks, and neglectful parents.

While there were a lot of great aspects to this novel, everything moved so quickly that it was hard for the impact of everything going on to really hit. It honestly ties in with the metaphor of the octopus that Zoey kept talking about. I felt like I really needed 8 hands to get a handle on everything happening.

However, Braden showed some real skill in the writing of this novel. I hope that this book will help other readers find the strength to get out of these situations as they recognize them. You can pick up a copy of The Benefits of Being an Octopus for yourself from Amazon or Indiebound.

Story of a young girl who learns that sometimes choices aren't so black and white. Zoey has a hard life with a lot on her plate. I know there are many kids out there who can relate to this. Others who can't but need to read this to understand their perspectives. I love the message of being a stronger person and sticking up for yourself.

Rating 4/5

This was my first middle-school level read I've read in years. I asked for a copy because I had heard good things about it and wanted to see if it indeed have the values I"ve heard of.

This is a story about a pre-teen girl named Zoey who has lived with domestic abuse and poverty. As a result, the novel starts off with her having low self-esteem and self-worth. But as it progresses, she learns to adapt by developing her voice and strength despite being bullied.

I admired her perseverance and growth. Majority of youth nowadays are bullied daily in one form or another, and to be able to relate to someone who has had the strength to develop her own confidence and be her own heroine is a very important tale to be shared. We should all know it is never right to be bullied or to do the bullying and so we must instill these values as soon as a child is able to comprehend the importance and the difference. Failure to do so doesn't improve the situation and keeps society the way it is today.

Overall, this is a quick read with fantastic values. It focuses on what's important and doesn't stray from the ideals that should be taken from this. I really enjoyed it and think that this should be considered as a school read for middle school english classes.

Middle Grade novels don't usually dig deep, which is why The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a rare find for avid young readers who are actually looking to read about things that matter and things that connect them to the real world. And yes, those readers ARE out there. The Benefits of Being an Octopus touches on issues of homelessness and child protective services, the gun control debate, and trailer parks in an even-handed, open way. A worthwhile read for tweens and teens alike and even librarians and kid lit fans, too!

I gave it four stars instead of five due to the ending, which, while satisfying in terms of plot, felt quite rushed, as though a waiter was taking away my plate before I was finished. But overall, a very enjoyable read with memorable characters and thought-provoking topics.

From the cover and name, I expected The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden to be a light hearted children’s read. Instead, it turned out to be the most thought provoking book I’ve read this year.

Zoey is 12. She’s never had a privileged life that we’re all so accustomed to but she is managing. My heart broke when I read about the conditions these children were living in.

However, the novel doesn’t simply try to make the reader sympathize with the characters but instead shows how she stands up for herself and wants more in life. It has wonderful characters like Ms. Rochambeau, a teacher who identifies Zoey’s struggles and potential and offers her opportunities.

I have to mention one character that I inadvertently related to the most. Zoey has a classmate named Matt, who though well-meaning, is from a happy and well-to-do home and is unable to understand the struggles that her family and so many others face. I often forget to be thankful for what I’ve been given by my parents and to help those who haven’t been afforded the same. Matt was a gentle but firm reminder of that.

Fantastic book depicting one girl's journey toward courage and finding her own voice in order to change her circumstances.

Meet Zoey, a seventh-grader who somehow juggles her school activities, being responsible for her three younger siblings, and worrying over her mother’s slowly diminished confidence. If only she could be an octopus with eight arms, ink as a defense, and the ability to camouflage herself in awkward situations. One day Zoey discovers exactly why her mother has shrunk beyond recognition and, in utter frustration, she finds a brave and powerful voice both at home and at school. We witness far more than a comfy story — we’re offered a glimpse into the desperation a single parent can experience as they attempt to find a suitable home for their children. What might appear as negligence to one person is sometimes a best case scenario for another. Over time we see that it really takes a village to raise a child AND that we can overcome even the worst of issues when we listen to one another and work together. What a gift to peek through this emotional window and experience a new level of empathy. I’m pleased to know this book will also be a mirror for those who need relatable characters–powerful characters who discover they don’t need a lot of money to make a difference in the lives of others. This is a much-needed title in any middle grade collection. I'm grateful to Sky Pony Press and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

As a middle school librarian in a title I school I am always looking for books where my students can see themselves in the characters. This is definitely a powerful title that I will book talk and feature on the shelves. It's a story of poverty, the gun debate, emotional abuse, bullying, and gaining confidence with lessons that are inferred rather than blasted in your face.

Zoey lives with her mom, stepdad, his dad, and her three siblings in a trailer park. Her real dad is long gone, as well as two of her siblings' dad. They live paycheck to paycheck barely making ends meet. School should be a refuge, but it's not. She often does not have the resources to do her schoolwork. Her clothes are not always clean. However, she does have a good friend, Fuschia.

Zoey's favorite living creature is the octopus. Throughout the book, the octopus plays a role in helping her cope. A teacher plays a hand in helping Zoey by getting her involved in the debate club. Zoey finds her voice.

This book will stick with you long after you're done. I will be recommending it to adults as well as teens. Adults need their eyes opened to the realities of poverty. Empathy is on every page. I can't wait to see Ann Braden's next book.

This book is another incredible example of the important and difficult topics being addressed in middle grade fiction. I'm so glad that young readers are getting the opportunity to see character like Zoey, who struggle with caring for younger siblings, living without many of the basic necessities we often take for granted, dealing with parents and step parents who are unable to care for them, and lack of self confidence that accompanies many of these challenges.

There is a lot material in this book that would generate excellent classroom discussions, and I'd love to see teachers purchasing it for their libraries. It will definitely have a place as one of my most memorable reads of 2018.

'The Benefits of Being an Octopus' is Ann Braden's wonderful children's debut, that both taught and humbled me as an adult reader. The story is one of poverty, prejudice and the seemingly insurmountable odds that many families and children experience. It focuses on seventh grader (year eight in England and Wales) Zoey and her brave fight to overcome the odds that are stacked against her. Make no mistake, this is a powerful story with a beautiful message and an incredible heroine to boot!

A timeless and enduring tale that lets kids know they are not alone in their struggles. Unfortunately, poverty still persists, but what was once believed - that those born into poverty will remain in poverty - is no longer as black and white, although it is certainly now rearing its ugly head once more thanks to government cuts in both the UK and US. Of course, this ultimately leads back to the issue of capitalistic societies, but I don't wish to go into that in any great detail. The problem with capitalism is that it leads to a powerful and affluent few and an impoverished and oppressed many. Despite the riches some people have accumulated, most of which they will never need to live a comfortable life, there are many out there with barely two pennies to rub together.

This exquisitely written tale of overcoming overwhelming odds and thriving despite adversity will be enjoyed by kids and appreciated by adults. It looks at topical issues of class, poverty and the moral ambiguity of gun ownership, within the context and short duration of the story. Please don't make the mistake that this fantastic book is only for children and youngsters; I feel we adults could learn some important lessons here too. There should be more books like this, but for each one I am grateful, especially when they are as evocative and emotionally resonant as this one. We need to empower those living in difficult circumstances to escape the poverty trap, but a lot of other things need to change to make this possible. Braden's book will have a big impact on whoever decides to read it, and I for one look forward to reading her future work!

Many thanks to Sky Pony Press for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Zoey is in seventh grade and she has a ton of responsibilities, helping her mother take care of her 2 younger siblings ages 4, 3 and infant. The octopus tie in is right at the beginning--Zoey loves them because they had a book and a DVD about them, and also they are really cool. Also, who wouldn't love to have 8 arms? Only we wish seventh graders weren't so worried about their siblings and their mothers. Zoey's mother has a boyfriend, Lenny, who seems great because he is clean and has money and goes to work. But Zoey starts to realize that this is not the only thing that is happening. She spies on him with her mother only to find that he is verbally and emotionally abusive. She doesn't use those words, but she knows that Lenny is not treating her mother right. And she knows Lenny doesn't treat her brother Bryce right.

Zoey's school life is also a struggle, in part because she has too much going on at home. She gets lucky and has a teacher who intervenes for her and encourages her, even though it seems like Zoey isn't trying. This, and the fact that it's debate club, make all the difference.

It's a well told story in a fairly short number of pages. The setting and characters are memorable and evocative. You can't help but really feel for Zoey and her mother--especially her mother, who needs help from her seventh grader to make a real change in her life. The ending is maybe a bit more optimistic than real life, but it's nice to have a happyish ending.

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.