Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Book 037 of 300 ~ 2024

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I got so much feels from this book, which has some elements of Adrian Mole meets F is for Family.

You really feel for this kid who is going through so much at such a young age, and whose only reaction is that because he keeps everything to himself, he ends up throwing a fit.

The end part especially made me teary. I totally get why it won prizes. It really tugs on the heartstrings.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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This was a heartbreaking [and at times excruciatingly painful to read] book that is based on the memories of the author and things that happened to him when he was in 5th grade [in the 1970's].

Told with unflinching honesty, this book will move you, anger you, and make you cry ugly tears. As to why all those emotions will happen, I cannot tell you. This is a book one must experience for one's self and then figure out how it made YOU feel. I will say that if your middle-grader wants to read this, let them absolutely, but know that they will have a ton of questions and feelings that they will need someone to discuss this with. If you are so inclined, reading this WITH them will enhance the experience and will open opportunities for some really great discussion and understanding.

Thank you to the author Ethan Long, for trusting his memories to his readers; I hope this helped you heal in whatever way it was needed, and to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/Christy Ottaviano Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this, it was a unique memoir. I would say it’s definitely for middle schoolers - not elementary. I know it’s a huge part of the story, but there was so much smoking by the dad! That’s the main reason I would not give this to elementary school students.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing my to read this amazing story! Whew! This was a fantastic story and Benny is someone I think everyone, young and old, can identify with. I will definitely be looking to add this to my classroom library.

Anyone who went through a parent's divorce knows how hard it can be as a child to live though the experience. The author does a great job at highlighting the struggles and pain during this period. With every sentence, you can feel the realness of the story and how it was based on the author's own childhood. While I enjoyed the story, I can see how some may be put off by the sad realities presented. Just be warned, this isn't so much a happy or funny memior. However, it is an honest look into a brief time in the childhood of a kid who is full of anger from divorce and his father's cancer diagnosis.

I love Ethan Long's picture books! However this is not one of them. It is a very good book on its own. It chronicles a young boy's life as his parents divorce and his dad fights cancer. From his view, we see him deal with his emotional turmoil. I really like the characters, but I felt they were a little distant. It seemed like things happened and there was no explanation. for it. But I think that that helped the reader understand and feel Benny's confusion during this time. It helped me feel more involved in the story. This is a book that is a poignant, and enjoyable look at Benny's childhood. I would definitely recommend this book!

I thought this was going to be a comic memoir but it actually has a lot of text and it is not what I was looking for, so I ended up not liking it and DNF-ing.

Ethan Long usually writes and illustrates books for very young readers. This is his first book for older readers and it’s excellent. In this illustrated memoir he writes about what he experienced as a 5th grader in the 1970s. There are so many things readers can relate to as they read and some are sad and serious (parents divorcing, father dying of cancer). I encourage readers in upper elementary through adult to sit down and read this wonderful childhood memoir.