The Benefits Of Being An Octopus - Ann Braden

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This story is about Zoey, a 7th grader who struggles with her workload every day.
She has even more to worry about than homework and fitting in, she has to take care of a lot of parenting duties for her family. 

She has three younger siblings (a 3-year-old, a 4-year-old and a baby) whom she must take care of after school, and she does everything for them from feeding them to putting them to bed. They never have enough food for all of them and because they are in an unstable living situation, Zoey has lots to deal with.

Zoey is always thinking about how much easier life would be if she were an octopus: with eight arms to do eight things at once. With incredible camouflage ability and steady unblinking eyes, as well as powerful protective defensives. 

Unfortunately, Her teacher Ms. Rochambeau forces Zoey to join the debate club and she attends, while doing her best to mimic being an octopus and trying to blend into the background. 

Eventually, through debate club, she starts to see things differently - her mom's relationship with her boyfriend Lenny, her best friend Fuchsia's situation and her own place in all of this.

She realizes that she's got a lot to say about certain things and her perspective is no less important than any of her classmates.


About The Author:



Ann Braden writes books about kids trying to stand up for themselves even when life is hard. Her debut middle grade novel The Benefits of Being an Octopus was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2018 and has appeared on numerous state lists.  She founded the Local Love Brigade, which sends love postcards to those who are facing hate. Ann also founded GunSenseVT, a grassroots group focused on championing the common ground on the issue of guns in Vermont, which helped pass landmark gun violence prevention legislation. Ann has been a middle school teacher, the co-host of the children’s book podcast, “Lifelines: Books that Bridge the Divide,” along with Pakistani American author Saadia Faruqi, and a co-organizer of #KidsNeedMentors. Ann lives in southern Vermont with her husband, two children, two insatiable cats, and a baby tortoise named Petunia.


What I thought of the book:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and connected with Zoey's character and problems on many levels. 

It was a great read, though sometimes I felt like it took a little too long to get to the climaxes, but after finishing the book - I think the spacing and timing was perfect for the type of story it turned out to be. 

I got a little scared in a few parts of the book, but I learned a lot.

It is an inspiring book about personal empowerment and stereotypes about poor people, class and those who own guns.

I think people who enjoy more emotional contemporary AKA realistic fiction books will like this. 

4/5 stars

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