A beautifully written story of unlikely friendship and discovering your true self within your identity. I really enjoyed the hero’s journey that Benny travels during the novel, he’s such a like able character in-spite of his not so great angry teen bad choices. YA readers will be able to identify with his struggles to find his place in not just one, but two different worlds and within his own family and history. Niimi is also a wonderfully drawn heroine, flawed in her own ways but real in her heart and emotions.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and enjoy.

This is one of my husbands favorite authors and I kept putting off reading this book for so long because of it. It was so so good and I want to read his other book asap as well as any upcoming books he has.

I really enjoyed this a lot. It felt real and I liked the characters, especially Benjamin. He was flawed and acted like his age. I also liked how the author merged Ojibwe teachings into the narrative. I think this should be required reading in schools. Let's make it happen!

Thank you for the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchanged for my honest review.

A passionate story that takes on some really rough situations with a lot of charm and heart. I loved the writing, the characters, and the overall energy of the book. I loved the glimpses into the Obijwe culture and the tough topics this book takes on. A really important read and likely an impactful one for a classroom.

The was a quick read. I loved James Bird’s last novel and had to check out this one. However, I was not a fan of this main character. I felt like there were a whole lot of redeeming qualities and didn’t really change through the novel. Didn’t really seize the second chance.

I just finished this book and it was simply amazing. I completely understood Benjamin and where his anger came from as well as how his snark & sarcasm worked to mask how he was feeling. Outside of his "hobby", I loved his character and really connected to. I also loved Niimi and wanted more of her character. I had a great time on their adventures and experiencing their learning curve with them. I laughed a lot and felt my heart break at times though it was always put back together. This book felt like it ended so soon but I can only hope that we will see more of Benjamin and Niimi in the future! I definitely plan to put this book into several kids hands!

We have been reading 'The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls' by @jamesbirdbooks as a read-aloud in our homeschool.

This book! I have cried through the first half. All the feelings he shares about coming from a broken home, all the resentment and anger he holds for his father that has led him down the wrong path in life have been a ride!

My kids love when I cry when reading books. It gives them something to pick on me for. But we also usually get into some great conversations when a book has led, usually me, to tears.

We are enjoying this book, the depth of the characters a look into the Ojibwe culture as well as Grand Portage.

3.5 stars

Benjamin Waterfalls comes from a broken home, and the quickest fix he’s found for his life is to fill that emptiness with stuff he steals and then sells. But he’s been caught one too many times, and when he appears before a tough judge, his mother proposes sending him to “boot camp” at the Ojibwe reservation where they used to live.

Soon he is on his way to Grand Portage, MN, to live with his father – the man Benny hasn’t seen in years. Not only is “boot camp” not what he expects, but his rehabilitation seems to be in the hands of the tribal leader’s daughter, who wears a mask. Why? Finding the answer to this and so many other questions prove tougher than any military-style boot camp.

Thanks to Macmillan Children's and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! I've been on a bit of a middle grade kick lately, and this definitely fit the bill. This is my first James Bird book, but I'm definitely interested in reading more! He has a middle grade voice that's easy to read and fills caps in middle grade literature.

For the most part, this book was reflective. Looking at choices we make in life and how that takes us different places. There's a touch of magical realism in this that further emphasizes Benjamin's journey and works for the context of the story. And the setting! Bird pulled on a lot of Ojibwe traditions, making the story feel authentic.

There's some great character development in this as well. Readers will relate to Benny's journey, one where he realizes changes he needs to make in his life. While his struggles aren't easy, they are struggles that middle grade readers will be able to relate to on some level. However, it does feel a bit like the resolution was a little rushed. I think the ending could have been drawn out a little more.

All in all, if you're looking for a diverse, coming of age, middle grade story, this will definitely fit the bill!

A story of reconnection and redemption as Benjamin Waterfalls is given the choice for being caught stealing (again): serve time or stay with his estranged father on the Ojibwe rez to sort himself out. The writing of this story seemed unclear on portraying Benjamin's age, where he acts much younger than his middle grade audience might expect, until he abruptly matures into a YA protagonist all at once complete with a love interest. One example of a pretty juvenile narration, something I'd expect more from an eight year-old protagonist is here: "I stare at my shoes and try to remember how awful he is. My shoes are dirty. Dirty is bad. Bad rhymes with dad. Dad is bad. Right foot, left foot. Now I remember. He threw his family away. I hate him." The simpler narration may help with more reluctant readers, but there were a lot of places where I felt it was not just an in character immaturity but a narrative struggle to write for a middle grade audience.

The Ojibwe culture and language is a welcome inclusion to a story and helps flesh out the middle grade familiar trope of a trouble child flourishing under new circumstances. I've been lucky to read other stories featuring the tribe, such as Dawn Quigley's "JoJo Makoons" for younger readers, Erdrich's "Birchbark House" historical fiction series, and Elizabeth LaPensée's graphic novel "Rabbit Chase." I think collections in need of representation or increasing demand might want to consider this book, but I would recommend the other titles over this one as a first purchase.

Sensational. This book takes you on a roller coaster of a journey through Benjamin's adventure trying to rediscover the good kid he has buried deep inside himself. Thus story will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you wonder. In the end, it definitely leaves a wonderful feeling and reminds us all that we are capable of being superheroes.

I thought that this was a beautiful story on community, self-discovery, and how the two ebb and flow together. The characters were all extremely likable, even Benjamin Waterfalls himself ended up growing on me. (: Lovely book all around!

I think this book might be appealing to young readers. It’s about transformation. Benny is shipped out to his dad’s place and it’s his last chance. He has a huge attitude and needs to be taken down a few notches. Benny irritated me for most of the book with his smart mouth and by his actions. He finally realizes the world doesn’t revolve around him,
I liked all the Ojibwa culture and setting.
The ending is the best because it shows a.lot of growth, especially on Benny’s part.

Through a series of stories Benjamin is told, he learns of the choices he has in all that he does. I liked the image of the three people within each of us.

A beautiful story of an Ojibwe boy who has struggled since his dad lost his job, spiraled and left. After one too many thefts, he is sent to his reformed dad and Ojibwe family for a boot camp of sorts. The story of redemption and embracing your inner super hero was lovely and the characters, including Benny, are great. A really enjoyable and memorable story.

This book was a great middle-grade story! It was a quick read (the last third of the story just FLEW!) but I still felt a great deal for the characters. I appreciated the wisdom imparted in the book and the Ojibwe customs and teachings being included. The reoccurring motif ties the beginning and end of the story together nicely. While I felt the resolution was a little too tidy at first, the final chapter reassured that things are not always perfect but that we are always growing. I think this would be excellent for fourth-seventh grades in particular. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Bennie gets caught stealing again. This time the judge allows his mother to plead for him to go live with his father who left him years ago when he had his own issues to work out. I liked the storyline for the most part. I think where I had difficulty was with the age of the characters. I would find this story more believable if the characters were high-schoolers instead of 12-year olds. I wasn't sure how to feel about the chief had his 12-year old daughter drop out of school so she can help take over some of his duties. That is a lot of weight to put on a tween. Also, some of the humor just didn't work for me- it seemed too hurtful, I don't want to give more away but if you have read the author's first book, there is a surprise at the end.

BenjamIn’s mom has had it with his stealing and so she sends him to his dad’s (who left seven years ago) to see if he can help him. Benjamin is very angry with his dad for leaving, but his dad says I can’t change my past, but I can try to make a better future. Benjamin is put to work at his step-mom’s bookstore, and there he meets Niimi and Benjamin is told to follow and help her help others. At first, Benjamin doesn’t see the point. He wants to prove to his dad that nothing will change him. Benjamin keeps stealing, but Niimi makes him think about what happens after he steals. Who does it affect? She tells him everything we do matters and what we choose to do determines who we choose to be. When Benjamin is falsely accused of stealing something, he realizes he needs to convince his father he’s changed. Has he though?

I don't have words that I can use to describe how amazing and good this story was. I do plan on getting a phyiscal copy when I can and already have highly recommended it to all my close family and friends.

I was interested in this book because I'd love to be able to recommend more titles with Native protagonists for Middle Grade students. Based on reviews of Bird's previous work, it seems like he took some of the criticism to heart, and did work to clap back at some Native stereotypes. The premise is a little shaky, and doesn't deal seriously with what the justice system can be like for BIPOC boys, even ones as young as Benny. Despite it's shortfalls, it did have heart. While it wouldn't be the first book I'd pick to represent Ojibwe culture, it's definitely a fit for some readers who might enjoy an irreverent protagonist but are starting to explore more serious issues in what they read or in life.