9780062330659
The subtitle on this says, "Everyone has bad days." For Benny, that seems to be the understatement of the year! One brother is autistic*, but better than him at riding a bike. The other brother is dating a girl he may be halfway in love with himself. His best friend moved away and he can't seem to find a new one. He got the 'good teacher' at school this year, but the teacher seems to be falling apart. Worst of all, his father's accident may have been his fault. Now Dad is out of work and requiring more care than any of the kids, bills are piling up, and Benny just can't catch a break at school or at home.
All that said, this is not a depressing story! It's an excellent illustration of life - some good, some bad. Some fair, some not so much. Some things you can change, some you can't. And some things you just need to push a little harder on, be a little more creative, and just maybe let a few friends help you out. And cut yourself a break now and then!
It is nice to see those lessons learned by the adults and the kids alike - never in a heavy-handed way, but realistic, heartwarming (yes, I used that trite old word), and ultimately inspiring. A great addition to any collection!
*This is NOT a My Brother Is Autistic morality type book. George is autistic. Benny likes to make movies. Mom does great accents. Those are all just One Thing About Them that are a small part of their whole, and I loved the author for that alone!
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