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Ben Washington Is the Newbie on the Block
- GenresMiddle Grade
160 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2024
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24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 6, 2024
Spiritual Themes
While I had trouble trying to find one single verse to connect with the novel, Ben Washington is the Newbie on the Block conveys a good deal of wisdom.
The plot interacts with questions about what it means to be popular, as well as what it means to have friends. Additionally, while he sometimes misses the point, Ben demonstrates a willingness to listen to his parents’ instruction.
What I Liked
The first title in the new Ben Washington series is simply delightful. It was a quick read and I usually enjoy the satisfaction of finishing a book in one sitting. About half-way through this one, I asked myself if I wanted to gulp the rest down or save some for later. I decided to finish reading, and it was such a fun book!
A new author, Mullen has a fantastic command of voice. Even though she’s writing from the perspective of a twelve-year-old boy, the voice is thoroughly believable. As an adult reader who regularly interacts with kids who are just a little bit older than Ben, I feel that Mullens does a great job evoking the way kids speak, today. The writing felt strongly “familiar” to me, in the sense of resembling conversations with teens. I think readers in this age group will have no trouble relating to Ben Washington!
Message
As the “new kid on the block,” Ben spends a lot of time grappling with feelings of displacement. This experience is heightened by the fact that his new community is almost entirely white. Ben finds a friend in his classmate Kenny, but also encounters stereotyping (his peers start calling him “Lebron,” for no apparent reason).
As Ben balances the double-challenges of being new and being profiled, the book’s message about dignity is beautiful. Ben’s parents consistently remind him about his value and identity.
Likewise, the message of dignity is illustrated through a subplot involving a stranger that Ben encounters.
Representation
Mullen is an African American author, and I’m happy to see the representation with an African American family, especially in the context of an all-white neighborhood. I think this is a valuable read for Black kids, as well as for kids of other races/ethnicities who may benefit from reading about another experience.
Family Relationships
Ben’s story showcases his relationship with his parents. I enjoyed reading about the familial relationship, and I also appreciate books, in this cultural moment, that aren’t afraid to offer a family emphasis. We meet Ben’s mom and his dad, we learn about his “expected” baby sister (and there’s a really sweet passage about that term being used for pregnancy), and we even get some detail on Ben’s extended family: his late great-uncle, plus the family members with whom he usually shares Thanksgiving.
I really liked watching Ben interact with his parents. While he occasionally feels tempted to talk back, it’s clear that his parents are raising him well. (And there are some funny lines about why he wouldn’t dare talk back). Ben’s mom is loving, encouraging and funny, with solid boundaries. His dad is doing an excellent job of teaching him what it means to be a man.
Booker, Tea, Washington
The Washingtons move to Radnor Falls because Ben’s dad is taking over his late uncle’s bookstore: Booker, Tea, Washington. This shop is absolutely delightful and a place I would very much like to visit. It was one of my favorite things about the book.
Content Notes
As mentioned above, Ben occasionally feels tempted to talk back to his parents, but does not. It is clear that this behavior would NOT be condoned.
Ben experiences frequent bullying and I think the author handled this well! (Spoilers below)
Recommendation Status
Ben Washington is… The Newbie on the Block is an excellent debut novel from Jasmine Mullen. I’m certainly looking forward to the second book in the series!
Recommended for middle grade readers, in general! I think this title would appeal to boys and girls, especially those who enjoy books about friendship or who are also experiencing a family move.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
While I had trouble trying to find one single verse to connect with the novel, Ben Washington is the Newbie on the Block conveys a good deal of wisdom.
The plot interacts with questions about what it means to be popular, as well as what it means to have friends. Additionally, while he sometimes misses the point, Ben demonstrates a willingness to listen to his parents’ instruction.
What I Liked
The first title in the new Ben Washington series is simply delightful. It was a quick read and I usually enjoy the satisfaction of finishing a book in one sitting. About half-way through this one, I asked myself if I wanted to gulp the rest down or save some for later. I decided to finish reading, and it was such a fun book!
A new author, Mullen has a fantastic command of voice. Even though she’s writing from the perspective of a twelve-year-old boy, the voice is thoroughly believable. As an adult reader who regularly interacts with kids who are just a little bit older than Ben, I feel that Mullens does a great job evoking the way kids speak, today. The writing felt strongly “familiar” to me, in the sense of resembling conversations with teens. I think readers in this age group will have no trouble relating to Ben Washington!
Message
As the “new kid on the block,” Ben spends a lot of time grappling with feelings of displacement. This experience is heightened by the fact that his new community is almost entirely white. Ben finds a friend in his classmate Kenny, but also encounters stereotyping (his peers start calling him “Lebron,” for no apparent reason).
As Ben balances the double-challenges of being new and being profiled, the book’s message about dignity is beautiful. Ben’s parents consistently remind him about his value and identity.
Likewise, the message of dignity is illustrated through a subplot involving a stranger that Ben encounters.
Representation
Mullen is an African American author, and I’m happy to see the representation with an African American family, especially in the context of an all-white neighborhood. I think this is a valuable read for Black kids, as well as for kids of other races/ethnicities who may benefit from reading about another experience.
Family Relationships
Ben’s story showcases his relationship with his parents. I enjoyed reading about the familial relationship, and I also appreciate books, in this cultural moment, that aren’t afraid to offer a family emphasis. We meet Ben’s mom and his dad, we learn about his “expected” baby sister (and there’s a really sweet passage about that term being used for pregnancy), and we even get some detail on Ben’s extended family: his late great-uncle, plus the family members with whom he usually shares Thanksgiving.
I really liked watching Ben interact with his parents. While he occasionally feels tempted to talk back, it’s clear that his parents are raising him well. (And there are some funny lines about why he wouldn’t dare talk back). Ben’s mom is loving, encouraging and funny, with solid boundaries. His dad is doing an excellent job of teaching him what it means to be a man.
Booker, Tea, Washington
The Washingtons move to Radnor Falls because Ben’s dad is taking over his late uncle’s bookstore: Booker, Tea, Washington. This shop is absolutely delightful and a place I would very much like to visit. It was one of my favorite things about the book.
Content Notes
As mentioned above, Ben occasionally feels tempted to talk back to his parents, but does not. It is clear that this behavior would NOT be condoned.
Ben experiences frequent bullying and I think the author handled this well! (Spoilers below)
Recommendation Status
Ben Washington is… The Newbie on the Block is an excellent debut novel from Jasmine Mullen. I’m certainly looking forward to the second book in the series!
Recommended for middle grade readers, in general! I think this title would appeal to boys and girls, especially those who enjoy books about friendship or who are also experiencing a family move.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
September 8, 2024
“Your job is to be the most yourself that you can be when everyone else wants you to be something else. And your job is to love people so hard that they can’t deny it.”
Everything in Ben’s life is over. Ok…not really, but it might as well be. He’s leaving Atlanta, the only home he’s ever known. He desperately wants a dog. His mom is having a baby, and he will be the new kid at school in a town where no one looks like him. As Ben looks for where he belongs within all the “new”, he learns about true friendship, keeping his faith, and finding God in the hard spaces of life.
I’m not going to lie, I was skeptical going into this. Even though I’m on the hunt for books written by Christian authors, it’s hard to find stories that 1) students today would be intrigued by, and 2) whose covers don’t look a million years old. However, reading this I was pleasantly surprised. This story was so SO good. I couldn’t put it down. It’s relatable to kids today. It’s fast-paced with short chapters, funny, and had me actually laughing out loud as I read.
Jasmine Mullen does a great job at speaking of issues of race and belonging at an age-appropriate level. I also loved the relationship we see between Ben & his parents. They are a huge part of the story, a safe place for Ben to confide and seek advice. It was also great to see that there were very obvious Christian themes and nods to faith, God, and Christianity throughout the story, but it was done very naturally and didn’t feel like it was being crammed down your throat. I highly recommend this book & can confidently add it to my classroom shelves.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤬: none
🌶️: none
🧼: 💯% squeaky clean status
🎯: Recommended for ages 9 & up
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November 21, 2025
This has a strong theme around belonging which Mullen demonstrates well through the telling of the story. Ben, a teenager, has moved from Atlanta to Radnor Falls in Wisconsin, with his parents. Ben loved his life in Atlanta and was sad to leave it especially for the cold of Wisconsin.
Ben and his parents are black. Ben stands out at school because of his colour as Radnor Falls is a very white small town. He’s never had to deal with discrimination before and finds it all a little strange. He’s quickly friended by Kenny, a ginger-haired nerd, who only arrived 6 months earlier. Kenny figures Ben could do with a friend.
It’s an easy story to read, told through Ben’s eyes in first person. Not a lot happens in the story as Ben learns to deal with his grief of leaving his old life, the discrimination and differences of his new life. We meet the school bully and the old man neighbour who is also discriminated against for different reasons. Mullen demonstrates the sense of belonging powerfully, especially through Ben’s friendship with ‘Spooky Fred’, the old man neighbour. Acceptance and love were strong motivators for softening Ben’s heart towards Fred.
I enjoyed Ben’s relationship, with his parents. They treated him maturely and calmly. Yes, his Dad being the bookish type appealed to me but I enjoyed how he fathered Ben.
I enjoyed the story and I believe any young teens who are feeling left out may find this an appealing read.
Ben and his parents are black. Ben stands out at school because of his colour as Radnor Falls is a very white small town. He’s never had to deal with discrimination before and finds it all a little strange. He’s quickly friended by Kenny, a ginger-haired nerd, who only arrived 6 months earlier. Kenny figures Ben could do with a friend.
It’s an easy story to read, told through Ben’s eyes in first person. Not a lot happens in the story as Ben learns to deal with his grief of leaving his old life, the discrimination and differences of his new life. We meet the school bully and the old man neighbour who is also discriminated against for different reasons. Mullen demonstrates the sense of belonging powerfully, especially through Ben’s friendship with ‘Spooky Fred’, the old man neighbour. Acceptance and love were strong motivators for softening Ben’s heart towards Fred.
I enjoyed Ben’s relationship, with his parents. They treated him maturely and calmly. Yes, his Dad being the bookish type appealed to me but I enjoyed how he fathered Ben.
I enjoyed the story and I believe any young teens who are feeling left out may find this an appealing read.
Read
December 26, 2024You know how books like Stuart Little and Homer Price are hilarious for parents while the storyline keeps the kiddos engaged? Same with Ben Washington. So many laugh out loud moments in this book, with a sweet and sincere message that isn’t too preachy for the kids. Relatable and funny. Such a great addition to the world of middle grade Christian fiction.
August 16, 2024
Talk about connecting with its audience!
This one is heartwarming, filled with great pre-teen topics, and has a great message of friendship & faith!
This one is heartwarming, filled with great pre-teen topics, and has a great message of friendship & faith!
October 21, 2025
Good chapter book for grade 3-5
June 16, 2025
I really love the themes explored here and love Jasmine Mullen. I'm wondering if the book applies to African American students that live in the inner city and live in the reality of some of the stereotypes mentioned. I work at an inner-city, christian school and am wrestling with whether this book would be good to share.
June 11, 2025
This book was incredibly sweet and humorous! There was a moment when the tide turned in the story and the author’s writing style and voice truly shone through.
Written for 8- to 12-year-olds, the plot was simple, easy to follow, and relatable. The story gracefully navigated themes of racial tension, making friends, and adjusting to a new and unfamiliar town where the main character, Ben, and his family relocated.
I loved Ben’s relationship with his parents and his friendship with Kenny. I laughed out loud many times when they were having conversations!
The story wrapped up in such a satisfying way. So special with a wonderful message at the end.
I gave it to my 10 year old son to read as soon as I was done and he is loving it so far. Looking forward to reading book 2!
A wonderful debut, Jasmine!
I received a complementary copy from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
Written for 8- to 12-year-olds, the plot was simple, easy to follow, and relatable. The story gracefully navigated themes of racial tension, making friends, and adjusting to a new and unfamiliar town where the main character, Ben, and his family relocated.
I loved Ben’s relationship with his parents and his friendship with Kenny. I laughed out loud many times when they were having conversations!
The story wrapped up in such a satisfying way. So special with a wonderful message at the end.
I gave it to my 10 year old son to read as soon as I was done and he is loving it so far. Looking forward to reading book 2!
A wonderful debut, Jasmine!
I received a complementary copy from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews