For Billy, it's the summer between second and third grades, and he is afraid his birthday wish for excitement has come true, but not the way he had intended. Readers will love the uncomplicated plot and the sweet characters in this transitional chapter book.

Thank you NetGalley for sharing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I haven't read the first Billy Miller book, but will definitely be checking it out after reading this one! This was a great quick read, perfect for elementary readers. Billy makes a wish on his birthday but then it seems like things just keep going wrong. The story follows his adventures as he wonders about changing his wish. I loved the ending and will be interested to see if there will be another follow-up!

A companion book to the first Billy Miller title, third grade Billy makes a wish for his birthday that leads to all kinds of excitement!

It's June, school is out, and Billy Miller is a rising third grader. It's also Billy's eight birthday and just before he blows out the candles on his cake, he wishes that something exciting would happen. Ten minutes later, a police car and an ambulance arrive on his street for the first time in Billy's life. Could it be that his wish came true so quickly? But when his elderly neighbor is taken away on a stretcher, Billy wonders if this happened because of his wish. Suddenly, Billy has an uneasy feeling, especially knowing his Papa would be going away the next day to adult art camp for a week. And when the neighbor, Mr. Tooley, passes away, a very distressed Billy is sure it is his fault. When his Papa reassures Billy that Mr. Tooley dying had nothing to do with him, Billy feels immensely relieved. Maybe now he can begin to enjoy his summer vacation.

But as the first week of summer progresses, more exciting things happen. First, there's the bat in the basement incident. Billy had just been thinking about bats while helping his Mama clean the basement when suddenly there was a real bat flying around. Then, there are the old letters written by his Mama and Papa to each other that Sal, Billy's little sister, finds in the basement and decides to play postman with, delivering them to all their neighbors. Imitating their postman, Sal also decides to give herself some purple tattoos using Billy's new birthday permanent markers. This is followed by the fire that starts in the fireplace when Mama tries to burn the letters that the neighbors have kindly returned, and why is Mama so tired all the time? It's only the first week of summer vacation and Billy is wondering whether all this excitement could be because of that one birthday wish that is causing a lot of guilt and regret for this caring, sensitive boy.

Billy Miller Makes a Wish is an interesting look at Billy's reactions to events that are out of his control and how, without Papa being there to reassure him, he feels responsible for what happens anyway. I think Billy is such a wonderfully drawn character. He's optimistic, kind and very patient with his little sister Sal, who is a really rambunctious little girl. As calm and introspective as Billy is, Sal is energetic and impulsive, a sister that knows her brother will let her use his new birthday markers even before he uses them himself. Mama and Papa are also patient and understanding and they form a family that just might be modeled on Kevin Henkes' own family.

Like its predecessor, Billy Miller Makes a Wish is a gentle, funny, and relatable chapter book. And like that first book, the story slowly unfolds so that each of the twenty chapters read like an episode, yet they form a coherent whole and are perfect for young readers transitioning to chapter books. To add to the story, Henkes has included black and white spot illustration throughout the book. And yes, there is a surprise ending, though adults sharing this book with kids may figure it out long before the end, and maybe it promises more Billy Miller stories while he is still at this young, innocent age.

If you enjoyed the first Billy Miller book by Kevin Henkes, The Year of Billy Miller, and even if you didn't read it, you are sure to like his newest adventure, which can also be read as a stand alone chapter book.

You can find an Educator's Guide for both Billy Miller book HERE

This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was an eARC gratefully received from NetGalley

This story is part of a series that Kevin Henkes has written about a boy named Billy Miller. This is a lovely continuation of the series and kids who have liked the earlier works are bound to like this addition to the series as well.

The reading level for this book is a little higher than its intended audience, but this would be a great classroom read-aloud!

Both of my girls started reading before their 5th birthday, and we LOVED the first Billy Miller book. It's hard to find age-appropriate chapter books for younger kids who are ready to move on past early readers -- and I appreciate that Kevin Henkes is adding more options!

This book is very sweet, as I've come to expect from books written by Henkes. Older siblings will identify with Billy''s up and down feelings about younger sister Sal, and the ending leads one to believe there may be a follow-up!

I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
Delighted to return to Billie's world and pick up where the first book left off. Readers get to celebrate Billie's eighth birthday with him and see his wish - for some excitement to happen. Almost immediately, some excitement does happen and one of their elderly neighbors dies. Billie struggles with worry that his wish caused this. I love the caring way his dad listens and interacts with him as they talk this out. From there, other interesting and unusual events take place as the family enjoys a typical summer.
Henkes writing style flows smoothly and mid-elementary level readers will follow the action and connect with the characters and their lives.
I appreciate that this family could be in any town and exists in an ordinary life setting. The struggles, joys and family relationships are relatable for elementary level readers. Adult readers will probably figure out why his mom is so tired all the time but the target audience will appreciate the surprise at the end. With the ending surprise and the writer himself saying he wasn't ready to say goodbye to Billy, I hope another story is coming soon.

Another gem of a story from Kevin Henkes -- perfect for young readers just beginning to navigate longer chapter books with a storyline they can follow, understand and even recognize from their own lives.

Billy Miller Makes a Wish was cute. My only issue is that it's a little long for kids who I think would enjoy it and not captivating enough for older kids. There were some sweet moments, but it did not feel connected enough.

With thanks to NetGalley and Greenwillow Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.

A delightful book for young middle grade readers. Billy just finished 2nd grade and he is excited about the summer. He makes a birthday wish and then wonders if he made the right wish. A fun story for kids moving into chapter books.

My 8 year old daughter and I read this book and really enjoyed this sequel to Billy Miller. This book picks up where The Year of Billy Miller left off. Billy just finished up 2nd grade and is hoping for an exciting summer. He has lots of excitement but not like he was originally planning. The book does leave the reader feeling satisfied and also wanting more if Kevin Henkes decides to continue the series.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

A wonderful book about a family during the summer. Billy makes wishes during his birthday and then worries about some of them. While his dad is away for a few days at art camp, exciting things happen. Did Billy’s wishes make all these things happen? He’s not sure, but he sure is happy at the end. Perfect ending.

Billy is back and it's time for his birthday wish Have no fear if you haven't read the first book, readers of all kinds can jump right in to this book. After Billy's wish is made peculiar events start happening that give Billy a challenging few days. The sense of family, comfort, and community bring a warmth to this chapter book. It made me remember my experiences as a child his age. One of a kind!

Billy Miller is adorable! Billy makes a wish on his birthday but then it seems like things just keep going wrong. Billy's little sister Sal is always getting into something. His dad is away at art camp and mom is always tired. Join Billy on his adventures when he encounters a bat in the basement, his sister plays mail person and a big day at the pool. Little does Billy know there's a big surprise at the end!

A perfectly engaging story for Elementary School readers who are ready for chapter books. Billy Miller makes a birthday wish and then regrets it after some things that happen. Is there a way to change his wish? Kevin Henkes captures the thoughts and feelings of Billy Miller, a fresh out of second grade boy, readers of this age will Be able to relate to him.
#BillyMillerMakesaWish #NetGalley #ARC

More sweet, quiet adventures of the earnest, slightly anxious Billy, his exuberant little sister, and his very loving parents.

I was excited to begin reading another Billy Miller book. But I was a bit disappointed in this story. As readers we do get to see inside Billy's head a bit and understand why he thinks his birthday wish has led to some unfortunate types of excitement such as an elderly neighbor's death, finding a bat in their house, and such. You have his youngest sister acting pretty precocious about so many little things and being more annoying than sweet. As soon as Mom said she was tired I correctly guessed the reason why which was the book's big reveal at the end.
I can understand why the Mom would be embarrassed at the wrong delivery of the old love letters but I can't see why she would then decide to burn them, especially because she had been fondly reminiscing as she re-discovered them. In the end, I have to say that I felt there were many forced connections throughout the story and that the whole tale was somewhat disjointed. I would include the book in a school collection however because of the popularity of the author and of the original Billy Miller work.