Just My Luck

Kirby Heyborne's soft tones quickly define artistic, empathetic fourth-grader Benny Barrows. Benny's mother credits her youngest son with being the most compassionate member of the family, especially when it comes to handling his older brother, George, who is autistic. Heyborne evokes the gentleness of this tenderhearted boy and shows how Benny's vulnerable feelings intensify after his father's accident, the aneurysms that follow it, and Benny's belief that he's to blame. Benny's feelings seem particularly heartrending in light of a superficial schoolwide program undertaken to increase kindness. The book's sometimes heavy-handed messages are tempered by Heyborne's sympathetic depiction of a self-questioning boy who is honestly trying to understand his life's inner and outer complexities. S.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

November 9, 2015
Benny is a worrier. He worries about his father, who has had a brain aneurysm. He worries about his fourth-grade teacher, who seems increasingly distracted. And he worries about whether he has a best friend and about the mounting evidence that he isn’t good at anything—not bike riding, math, or the acts of kindness his school is encouraging. He doesn’t worry about his autistic older brother, George, though. George is George. Sometimes he can do more than his family expects, sometimes he talks to himself and makes strangers uncomfortable, but he always laughs at Benny’s jokes. In her first middle-grade novel, McGovern (A Step Toward Falling) brings readers fully into Benny’s troubled thoughts, making a clear distinction between the things that he can’t control (his father’s health, his brother’s autism) and the things that he can. McGovern’s thoughtful depiction
of a family facing difficult situations without fracturing, coupled with a gentle message about not being too hard on oneself, will surely speak to middle schoolers with their own slate of worries. Ages 8–12. Agent: Margaret Riley, William Morris Endeavor.

November 1, 2015
Fourth grade is proving to be harder than Benny Barrows expected. But Benny is stronger than he realized. Benny has a lot to deal with. Over the summer, his dad suffered from an aneurism that's left him an invalid at home. Dad's behavior is now unpredictable and at times embarrassing, somewhat similar to that of Benny's older brother George, who is autistic. At school, Benny has difficulty with math and spelling, and he does not excel at sports. His best friend moved away the previous school year, and now Benny finds himself trying to make new friends. Mr. Norris, his teacher, has troubles of his own and doesn't seem to notice Benny. Martin, his other older brother, is busy figuring out his own life. As the family faces financial trouble, with medical bills mounting and Dad not able to work, the boys come up with an idea to raise money. It is then Benny movingly if predictably realizes how lucky he is when everyone--family, friends, neighbors, and schoolteachers--comes together to help. In narrator Benny, readers find a resilient and very observant 9-year-old who accepts those around him with their strengths and shortcomings alike. Recent books have featured an autistic or otherwise disabled character as the narrator. Here, McGovern offers the perspective of someone who loves that character. Though a little heavy-handed, Benny's story is insightful and inspirational. (Fiction. 8-12)

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December 1, 2015

Gr 4-6-Fourth-grader Benny is not having any luck. His father had an accident for which Benny blames himself. His best friend moved to Florida. And his brother George, who is autistic, can do tricks on his bicycle, while Benny is still having trouble starting and stopping. In her debut novel for middle grade readers, McGovern presents a heart-filled story of a likable boy who doesn't realize that his natural gifts are recognizable and valued by a supportive family and his teacher Mr. Norris. At school, a new program called C.A.R.E. rewards students who "do things that show our empathy and compassion." While the other students count their C.A.R.E. scores, Benny feels like his good deeds are invisible. At home, Benny's mother encourages him to find his passion, but he's not sure what that is. There are many moments that will ring true to middle grade readers: feeling anxious about friendships, wanting to be noticed, and trying to do the right thing. When Benny's father has to go back to the hospital, all of Benny's fears return, but, gradually, he is able to navigate his new circumstances, especially when he realizes that he and Mr. Norris share something very important. VERDICT Recommend this sensitive novel to fans of Lisa Graff's Absolutely Almost (Philomel, 2014) and Rob Buyea's Because of Mr. Terupt (Delacorte, 2010).-Shelley Sommer, Inly School, Scituate, MA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2016
Grades 4-7 Benny's not loving fourth grade. First, Benny's father is hospitalized for a brain aneurysm, and although it's not Benny's fault, he still feels responsible. Second, he got Mr. Norris, everybody's favorite teacher, except that Mr. Norris isn't much fun this year. Third, since Benny's best friend moved away, he's stuck with Jeremy, who is woefully inexperienced at friendship. Then there are constant annoyances, such as spelling, math, and the sometimes irksome behavior of Benny's older brother, George, who is autistic. Despite his internal turmoil, however, Benny's first-person narrative radiates with exactly the kind of compassion his mother recommends: to ease your own pain, try to help others. Like many nine-year-olds, Benny can be guileless in one moment and wise beyond his years in another, and his fascination with LEGO Minifigures will likely delight many young readers, who might share his hobby. In addition, Benny's goodhearted family embraces a well-rounded life, supporting each other even when it's tough. Highly recommended for fans of realistic fiction by writers such as Ann M. Martin or Lisa Graff.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)