Benny on the Case

by Wesley King

A boy with Mosaic Down syndrome navigates entering a mainstream classroom, making new friends, and standing up to bullies all while trying to catch a thief and save his home in this thrilling middle grade mystery from New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wesley King.

Benny isn’t your average boy from Newfoundland. He lives in a retirement home that his mother runs, he has an eighty-six-year-old best friend named Mr. Tom, he knows more about fixing boats than video games, and he has Mosaic Down syndrome. When Benny transitions to a mainstream classroom for the first time, the other students tease him for his differences…except for Salma. She’s new, too, and not your typical Newfoundland she’s tech savvy, speaks Arabic, plays basketball, and isn’t afraid to eat lunch with Benny.

So when Salma’s grandmother and several other residents in the retirement home are robbed, Benny asks Salma to help him catch the thief. Time is not on their side as an inspector threatens to close the home. And to make matters worse, Benny and Salma must crack the case while working on a class assignment with their bullies. Can Benny save his home and take a stand against the bullies once and for all? He’s about to find out, b’ys.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Contemporary

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2025

About the author

The author of fourteen novels and counting, Wesley King has received over twenty literary awards and seen his books published worldwide, optioned for film and television, and translated into numerous languages. King is best known for his collaboration with Kobe Bryant on the #1 New York Times Bestselling Wizenard Series, as well as the Edgar Award-winning OCDaniel, which was also a Bank Street Best Book of the Year and Silver Birch winner. The follow-up, Sara and the Search for Normal, won both the Violet Downey and Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Awards. He also co-authored the YA romantic fiction novel Hello (from here) with New York Times bestselling author Chandler Baker. His next novel, Benny on the Case, will be released in April 2025. It is a JLG Gold Selection, has a Starred Review from PW and will be released simultaneously with an audiobook from Dreamscape. His adult debut novel is going to be announced soon.

He lives on a windy seaside bluff in Western Newfoundland, Canada.

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3.25 stars ✰

“Benny, I hope that if I taught you one thing in this life, it’s that you are capable of anything.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Despite the sensitive and difficult topics it covered, Wesley King's latest middle-grade mystery was rather wholesome, if not heartwarming. ❤️‍🩹 A big part of it had to do with how warm and welcoming, kind and creative, eleven-year-old Benny was, a young boy with Mosaic down syndrome, and watching overcome the challenges he faced as he entered mainstream 6th grade - from making new friends and standing up to mean bullies - to solving the unexplained thefts happening in Starflower by the Sea, the recipient of the award for Best Retirement Home in Western Newfoundland for a record eleven years running, which may be bigger than he and his new friend, Salma, could have anticipated made seeing Benny on the Case an engaging and worthwhile read. 👍🏻

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I liked Benny; I cared for him. I loved that the author showed that he did not allow having Mosaic down syndrome to stop him from trying; despite the way his mother treated him a bit childishly, or even when people were quick to assume he was dim-witted, he was anything but. Although, it was kinda amusing to see how his closed-off upbringing made him unaware of certain cultural aspects; his innocent reaction to Gucci was really precious. ☺️ It broke my heart when he voiced his concerns and insecurities to eighty-six-year-old Mr.Tom, one of the residents and his best friends. It was so honest and sincere and almost heartbreaking that a young boy was burdened with the fear of the uncertainty that is considered the norm. But, Mr.Tom's reassuring and comforting words were also something so impactful and important for him to hear. 🤧💔

“For every bully, there is a friend waiting to be found.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ There were some really beautiful and heartfelt relationships captured, each meaningful in their respective way. Benny and his mother share the grief of his father's death, the guilt of continuing his legacy of keeping the retirement home going. Mr.Tom and the other residents were great confidantes, if not eager participants in Benny's endeavors of tracking down the culprit behind the theft of their belongings. 🫶🏻 🫂 'This was war now, b’ys. We were taking these crooks down.' It was a beautiful found family that cherished and respected one another, each doing their own to keep their home alive and away from pesky rodents - no, not rats - but money-grubbing fiends who wished to take them out of home and harbor for their own financial gain. 😟

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But, most of all, it was Salma's bravery, loyalty, and kindness that shined alongside Benny - who brought him out of his depths - who excelled with her sporty talents to fight back with fierce determination - and had him believe in his own strengths and capabilities. Bold and fearless, she was a breath of Seattle fresh air that blew into Newfoundland that made Benny see how strong he was - just as he was. 🥺 They made for a great pair of sleuths - each lending their own expertise and experience to solve the mystery and even fight back at those who were determined to bring them down in every way. And that was heartbreaking to stomach; kids at such a young age being so openly racist and just mean. But seeing Salma and Benny stand their ground was so good, such a triumphant feeling, especially when the bully does walk away feeling a bit ashamed, if not contrite of their actions. 😌

“I been talking this way since ’fore you were born, me son. It’s me way, b’ys.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The writing was fresh and humorous, and nuanced with Newfoundland dialogue that enriched the setting, and provide a certain levity to the story. 'Whadda y’at' is my new go-to phrase, and it definitely earned a chuckle from me every now and then. 😅 The mystery developed nicely alongside Benny's personal issues both at home and within his little family. I liked seeing Benny piece the clues together, follow leads and set up traps diligently, if not decisively in their attempts to lure out the suspect. Although I did find the conspiracy was a bit too conveniently solved, let alone a bit unbelievable that they were able to understand the motives behind it. 😏 But, it was nicely held up by a warm and helpful supporting cast who taught and reminded him of how he is capable of doing anything as long as he stands up and stays true to himself - 'the ones who matter will see Benny.' 🙏🏻

*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute middlegrade mystery.
Focusing on a small town in NFL and the friendships built between a new kid and a townie was a smart choice.
Add in some Scoobie Doo type stuff and we have a winner b'ys!
Much love to Simon & Schuster Canada for my copy.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
This book was absolutely endearing and such a great book for our young readers to delve into. It has so much heart as well as a fun story where the reader can learn so much along with getting entertained.

Young Benny has Mosaic Downs Syndrome and you learn a bit about what that is and how to treat people properly who may learn or look a bit different from the typical. The reader can also experience the negative experience that the individual faces everyday while also witnessing all the fantastic things they can accomplish.

The book is set on Newfoundland and peppered with local words and other influences where the reader can experience a differed area than they may be used to. But also local folks will feel right at home. I will say that it is a bit of a difference experience to read to read some of these local phrases and words and it took some adjustment.to read.

Also I’ll mention that some of the language was clearly by an adult trying to sound like a young person who was a little out of touch with modern “hip” language. So to some readers they may not quite “get it” but their parents and teachers will!

I highly suggest getting this book for a 4th-6th grade classroom as it would make for some great group or individual reading. I know I’m going to purchase some copies to gift to my local elementary and middle school.

I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Simon & Schuster Children’s through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

This book comes out April 15, 2025.

My rating system for Middle Grade and children’s books

⭐️ Significant problems and would never recommend to the audience.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea but may have some appeal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ an ok book which I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend but it has some value for young readers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! I would recommend for the age or reading level appropriate for the book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Would recommend highly, especially to school programs as a wide spread reading opportunity.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benny's home happens to be a retirement home, so most of his friends are old folks. He's nervous about starting the new school year in a mainstream classroom, but he makes a friend right away. But there's still bullying and a string of burglaries that threaten to shut down his home. They've got to do something, b'ys.

Utterly, totally charmed by King's choice to set this story in Newfoundland. The local vernacular and sayings are so much fun. Love the old folks who are part of Benny's family ... and Salma's eagerness to tackle a mystery together. Touches on themes like race/heritage, losing a parent, looking back with regret, found family, facing death, and ... oh, yeah ... neuro-diversity. Because Benny has Down syndrome.

[Lisa Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters - especially Mr. Tom and found the plot engaging (although not really sure that two middle schoolers could have cracked the case!).

[Cintya Larasinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ini sgt menarik dan mengesankan menurutku dan Aku sangat menyukai seluruh ceritanya.
Review dinyusul

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic mystery with a compelling lead and overall something I know I can give to my readers. Super happy to have more mysteries in my back pocket!
contains bullying

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My word… I don’t think I’ve cried so hard about a middle grade novel since Hercules Beale! I didn’t know anything about Mosaic Down Syndrome and I learned quite a bit just from this story.

I absolutely loved this one. There aren’t many stories set in Newfoundland so it was fun to “visit” there for a while. Mr. Tom was such an excellent character and Benny has become a favorite too. I loved the message of forgiveness (when Benny’s friend is bullied he body checks another boy but then asks forgiveness of him later). And kindness plays a big role too.

Some caveats: there is lots of bullying of both Benny and Salma. Benny’s dad has died before the book begins and it’s a retirement home so death is a conversation. Benny goes to a schoolmates house to work on a project and her dad’s girlfriend is there. Benny sees her “looking sleepy and in a bathrobe” while he is looking for the bathroom. But it is not portrayed in a positive light at all.

I think this is a perfect read aloud for the family and I highly recommend it for all Middles ages.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last!
Benny has always been in special classes at school, due to his Mosaic Down Syndrome. This year for sixth grade, however, his teachers think he is ready for “mainstreaming”. Benny himself feels some reservation about this huge change, but he also wants to give it a try; hopefully make some new friends and not be labeled as different.
Classes at school are only one of the challenges Benny will face, however. He and his loved ones are being thrown some real curveballs in their lives. Through these experiences, Benny will learn the importance of having courage, and the meaning of true friendship. One particular event brings great sorrow, but also the realization that he was lucky to have had someone that made saying goodbye difficult…
I had to mention a beautiful quote:
“Benny, happy endings ain’t about living forever. If they were, we wouldn’t have any of them. A happy ending to me is when you get so old and worn down you look forward to a rest…and better yet, having some friends and family to say goodbye to until you see ‘em again. I was never afraid of dying. I was afraid of having no one to miss me. But not anymore.”

These words caused a big lump in my throat; I still miss my little poodle that passed in January. But like Benny, I’ll remember every day how lucky I was to have had her to love, and be loved by (so fiercely for a tiny 3 pound dog)!
Thank you, Mr. King, for writing such a beautiful book. All the details about Newfoundland made me want to visit!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up on the small island of Newfoundland, eleven-year-old Benny is not like other kids his age. Not only does he have mosaic Down Syndrome, but he also lives in a retirement home with his mother and several elderly residents. Benny is reintegrating into a traditional classroom after several years in special education on the same day a girl named Salma joins his school. The two become fast friends, and when a mystery threatens the life Benny has always known, Benny and Salma must combine their skills to discover who is behind it all. This complex middle grade novel combines several elements into one multifaceted narrative. Descriptive writing paints a vivid picture of Benny's surroundings in each scene, and a brief glossary at the beginning of the book orients readers to the slang often used in Newfoundland. Bullying is frequently discussed within the narrative, and though Benny has dealt with unkind behavior for most of his life, Salma and others help Benny learn to find his voice and stand up for himself. Benny's journey to self-acceptance is more of a focus of the novel than the mystery itself is, though the process of remedying the challenge helps build a framework for the social and emotional components of the story. Throughout the book, readers observe overt acts of racism, ageism, and ableism, and while these interactions can be difficult to read, they help young readers to find their own voices in support of individuals who may stand out in general society. Anchored in the lifestyle and voice of Newfoundland, this middle grade story is engaging and thought-provoking, and it is a unique addition to contemporary fiction library collections for confident middle grade readers.

[Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a notification that a new book was published by Wesley King since I previously read OCDaniel by the same author- a favorite book of mine! I immediately listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it immensely.

Benny On The Case features an 11 year old with Mosaic Down Syndrome who lives in the retirement community that his mom runs. On his first day of mainstream classes following years in a separate class for disabled children, he meets Salma, an Arab girl from Seattle (whose grandmother actually lives in the retirement community Benny’s mom runs) for whom it is her first day too. They immediately become friends, which is further developed as they have to work together to solve an odd and disturbing string of thefts occurring at the retirement community.

I loved Benny and Salma as a dynamic duo of 11 year old investigators and amazing friends. The book was so intriguing and while I predicted some of the revelations, getting to the point of the characters figuring it all out was so fun!

I was so excited that the book was set in Newfoundland because as referenced in the author’s note, I indeed was introduced to the island through the musical Come From Away, which is an all-time favorite.

It’s impressive how the book is funny yet covers topics that often go unaddressed especially in children’s books like racism, ableism, ageism and the mesh of death, grief and guilt.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Benny is an eleven-year-old who lives in St. George's Bay, Newfoundland, where his mother runs the Starflower by the Sea retirement home. He's been in special education his whole life, since he has Mosaic Down Syndrome. This means that while he has the physical features similar to others with this genetic condition, he doesn't have the health problems or cognitive delays. His teacher, Mr. Keane, has decided that it's time for Benny to be "reintegrated"; what we would term "mainstreamed" in the US. The day that he is to start, there is a lot happening; a nursing home resident has jewelry stolen, and one of the resident's granddaughter's, Salma, has moved from Seattle and is also starting school. The kids in their class aren't too well versed in dealing with others who might be different, and Mark and Ashlin are especially mean to the two, who become friends. Salma, whose father is from Tunisia, stands out in the primarily white Newfoundland community, and Benny is often treated like he is very young; Mark calls him "slow". When the fate of the Starflower, and of his best friend, 86 year old Mr. Tom, hinges on solving the mystery of the rash of thefts and a complicated scam involving retirement homes in the area (in which Ashlin's father is a major player), Benny and Salma step up to investigate. Benny's mother is struggling to keep the home open, especially since she is running it alone after the death of Benny's father four years previously, and Mr. Tom's health is rapidly failing. Will Benny and Salma be able to figure out the threats to the Starflower before it's too late?
Strengths: This started with a description of "Newfoundlander speak" which was rather charming, and Benny had a great voice. I was instantly drawn into the story because of the feeling of community and wanted to know more about daily life there. The idea of a small, family run retirement home is intriguing, and I can't imagine how difficult a place like that would be to run. Mr. Tom and the other residents are not as key to the plot as they are to stories like Forman's Not Nothing or Van Draanen's The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones, but I still love to see tweens interact with older people, even if this leads to sad endings. The combination of the elements made for an interesting in unique story that I really enjoyed.
Weaknesses: While I loved that the mystery was deeper than just items going missing from the residents, I wonder how lucrative it would be to take over retirement homes in Newfoundland. It really wasn't necessary to kill off the father. I would love to see another book set in this location with a lot more details about what life is like in Newfoundland, maybe involving smash ball, a sort of soccer with bodychecking!
What I really think: Usually, the only characters in middle grade stories with Down Syndrome are siblings (Charlie in Cochrane's Breaking into Sunlight, Sarah in Oppel's Inkling, Izzie in Choldenko's One-Third Nerd, Charlie in Cartaya's Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish, Squirrel, in Hart's Daisy Wormwood Changes the World, Benny and Tessie in Dallas' Somewhere to Call Home), although Darby in Cotterill's A Storm of Strawberries is a main character. It's quite interesting to see a main character with this condition, but it was the Newfoundland setting and the mysteries at the Starflower that really sold this one to me. Mystery lovers will applaud Salma and Benny's investigative skills while marveling at a school without a basketball hoop!

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/12/2025 I did not expect to be so moved! Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

10/16/2025 I continue to stand by my claim that contemporary Middle Grade fiction is the most consistently affecting, life-affirming genre currently publishing, with this terrific mystery novel being only the latest excellent example.

Benny has Mosaic Down's Syndrome, which for him manifests in physical appearance, but not in any intellectual or health issues. For the longest time, he was in special classes in his Newfoundland school. Now that he's 11, there's no denying the fact that he's on the same educational level as his mainstream peers, so he's about to be integrated into standard classes. He's pretty nervous about this, as is his mother, who's verged on the overprotective ever since the death of his father four years ago. His best friend Mr Tom is more encouraging, with plenty of life experience to back it up. Mr Tom is, after all, one of the elderly residents of the Starflower retirement home that Benny's mother owns and operates, and where she and Benny live, too.

Fortunately, Benny finds an ally pretty quickly at school. Salma recently moved to the area from Seattle, as her dad found a great job in Newfoundland that allowed the whole family to be close to her grandmother Mrs Price, another Starflower resident. Salma is smart, athletic and just as much of an outsider as Benny due to the way she looks like the Tunisian side of her family. But she's also funny and kind, and she and Benny quickly become fast friends despite his concerns that she'll become way more popular than he is and not want to hang out with him any more.

Popularity becomes the least of their concerns, however, when a series of thefts at the Starflower threatens to close down the retirement home. The police are convinced that it's just the residents being absent-minded, but the inspector from the ministry cites security concerns that could render the Starflower unfit for purpose. Can Benny and Salma team up to figure out who's taking the missing items, and save both the Starflower and the residents who don't want to live anywhere else?

I can't even begin how to describe how terrific this book is, as it grapples with the kind of quiet drama taking place every day in households around the world. Whether it's bullying, racism, elder abuse or any of the myriad other topics raised in these pages, Wesley King deals with these tough issues with grace and sensitivity, reminding us that everyone is human. Some humans are good, some are bad, but the important thing is to treat everyone the way we'd want to be treated: with kindness and empathy even when meting out or receiving justified consequences. People can change, but that doesn't mean that people don't need to atone for what they've done.

Benny is a great protagonist, with an awesome cast of characters around him. I loved the use of Newfoundland dialect throughout, with a helpful glossary to translate for readers unfamiliar with it. Benny On The Case struck the perfect balance between humorous, suspenseful and moving. The scene with Mrs Finch, especially, made me cry. It's also got a really well-written mystery at its core. I can see why Mr King has won the Edgar Award previously: this is an excellent novel that should be up for awards too!

Benny On The Case by Wesley King was published April 15 2025 by Beach Lane Books and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleven year old Benny is both nervous and excited to join a mainstream class for the first time. As someone with mosaic Down syndrome, he had been in small special classes in his Newfoundland town, but he really wanted the friendships that a mainstream experience can offer. There’s another new kid at school: Salma is Tunisian American, speaks Arabic and loves basketball. She and Benny become lunchmates and friends. Not only does she help Benny deal with the kids who bully him at school, but she becomes the other half of their detective team working to discover who is stealing valuables from the retirement home where Benny lives.

The Newfoundland setting and its slang are a big part of the book. The author clearly loves the rugged place and imbues the story with descriptions of the rain, pastel colored houses, and the ever present sea. The use of “b’y” as a form of address and all purpose word grows on the reader, and there’s a short glossary of Newfoundland phrases at the beginning of the book to help readers acclimate themselves to the dialect. Benny is well aware of his limitations but begins to see his strengths as well, something many people with Down syndrome must deal with. His teaming up with Salma is a great boon to his confidence with school and his mom. Before Salma, his greatest friend was Mr. Tom, an octogenarian at the retirement home. Mr. Tom is also a great character, and the setting of the retirement home is a nice change of pace from many middle grade settings. There are some truly nefarious deeds relating to the mystery and the kids make a big difference in their community by uncovering the evil and solving the mystery. And there is a satisfying resolution to the bullying situation. I wouldn’t mind more adventures with Benny and Salma.

Benny is white; Salma has brown skin.

My quibbles: Sometimes Benny’s voice seems more middle aged than middle school. Would an eleven year old describe a classmate as “80 pounds soaking wet”? I wish adults had been more proactive in dealing with the bullying Benny suffers, as well as the racist immigrant prejudice Salma must put up with.

[Kim Bartosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heartfelt Mystery with Humor, Heart, and an Unforgettable Hero!

If you're looking for a middle-grade book that’s both entertaining and meaningful, Benny on the Case by Wesley King is a must-read! This story is the perfect blend of mystery, humor, and real-life heart, starring a boy you won’t forget anytime soon.

Meet Benny, a 10-year-old with Mosaic Down syndrome who lives in a retirement home run by his mom. He’s curious, clever, and has an 86-year-old best friend—how cool is that? When valuables start disappearing from the retirement home, Benny takes it upon himself to crack the case. Add in his new friend Salma, a tech-savvy basketball player who’s just as much of an outsider as Benny, and you’ve got a dynamic duo that’s impossible not to love.

This book has so much going for it: a twisty mystery, hilarious moments, and touching themes of friendship, inclusion, and standing up for yourself. What really sets it apart, though, is how authentically Benny's voice is written. Wesley King doesn’t shy away from showing how Benny sees the world, and it’s a joy to experience the story through his eyes.

It’s educational in the best way—you learn about Mosaic Down syndrome without it ever feeling heavy or preachy. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone who loves a good story, this one belongs on your shelf.

Perfect for fans of books like Wonder and Because of Mr. Terupt, Benny on the Case is a smart, sweet, and surprisingly suspenseful read that will leave you cheering for Benny and wanting more.

Buy it. Gift it. Share it. This book deserves to be read. 💛🔍 Thank you to the author and publisher for the book and my honest review. Find more review on my blog: https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...

[Kay S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who still spends swathes of summer with my family in Newfoundland, I can be very particular about books taking place on the east coast. The dialects can be so easily turned to making fun of the people that I take a more critical look at the language, tone, and history of the work and the writer behind it. King and the crew behind the audiobook did a wonderful job of displaying the myriad of dialects and levels of accent in the characters that is very true to force on the island. (With the exception of the mispronunciation of touton in the first chapter that drove me BONKERS!)

Benny and Salma were such great characters! They juxtaposed each other just enough to show just how different small town Newfoundland life is compared to the urban centres of North America while still maintaining their core "best kind"-ness. They also got to experience the "othering" that's so prominent in small, mono-cultural towns but handled it with such grace and poise... I loved them so much. Watching Benny blossom and then mourn the catalyst for it was heart breaking. As someone who lost their grandparent to lung cancer I know it's a difficult thing to watch and hear, especially as the person tries to maintain their way of life. I spent the last two chapters crying and driving to work.

But the MYSTERY! Amazing! Did not seen any of it coming! So good!

[Luminous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and heartwarming mystery!

This story follows Benny, a boy with Mosaic Down Syndrome who lives in a retirement home run by his mum. When a series of mysterious thefts begin to plague the residents, Benny teams up with his new friend Salma to crack the case.

There is so much to love about this book! It has the perfect blend of mystery, heart, and laughter, all set against the charming backdrop of Newfoundland. (The regional dialect made the dialogue so fun!)
The themes of friendship and the importance of standing up for oneself, while still remaining kind, shine beautifully throughout the narrative.

The characters are so delightful! Benny’s voice is authentic and gives readers a glimpse into the perspective of a neurodivergent character. His bond with the 86-year-old Mr. Tom is particularly touching, bringing tears to my eyes more than once. Their friendship truly showcases the beauty of connection across generations.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

👦🏻 reviews: What an amazing book that combined mystery, realistic theme, diversity and Benny. I have never met a down-syndrome person before and reading Benny’s story, his responses and determination made me think that despite being special need he is genuinely as kind and caring as anyone we would have met. His friendship with Salma made the story even better because he wanted to make sure that Salma’s grandmother and friends find the thief who robbed the retirement home. I like the chasing, following and seeking out the truth. A great realistic fiction book about imperfections with Hardy Boys theme.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet story. I was unfamiliar with mosaic down syndrome, so that was enlightening. And yes, I did read the helpful afterward first! I appreciated the author's guide to the dialect used in Newfoundland, but did find the jargon made for slow reading. Do they really truly use "b'ys" that often? There were relevant situations about bullying, and also nice instances of friendship and kindness, but some of the children's sleuthing tactics were a unadvisable. Not sure how all this plays with the intended audience of middle age children. Interesting though that I recently read a similiar 2025 book by Gordon Korman, about a boy growing up in retirement village! (Old School)

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about a middle grade New Foundlander boy with Mosaic Down Syndrome who is able to get to the bottom of a scandal involving local Retirement homes with the help of his new immigrant classmate and friend. I thought this was great on audio, felt authentic to the Eastern Canadian experience and was sensitive to the life of people who exist with Down Syndrome. Highly recommended and very much appreciated by @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!

⚠️TW: bullying and racism

[Kara Dennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benny on the Case is a book full of love—not just for Newfoundland, but for the people among us who get put upon for being different. King's prose is witty, but never unbelievable as coming from the mouth and mind of its eleven-year-old protagonist. It contends with big issues: grief, abandonment, broken homes, and bullying, to name a few. But it also presents lessons and coping mechanisms that young readers can take to heart and learn from. It's also a great introduction to the cozy mystery genre for younger readers.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid mystery, fantastic characters, excellent regional dialects and a great book about friendship. I love all the heartwarming advice from elders. I love the ways Benny and Salma find to stand up to bullies. There's a lot of grief in this book, and a lot of healing, too. The only thing I hesitate about is that the author is writing outside his own experience when it comes to Benny's Down Syndrome and Salma's Arabic-American heritage-- but I appreciate the sensitivity with which he approaches both topics.

[Carly Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING. My own almost 11 year old won a copy in a prize pack recently and read it. Afterwards, he told me “I didn’t think books could make me emotional.” I was moved by how this book touched him, and asked if I could take it with me on an upcoming trip to Nova Scotia (not quite Newfoundland, but it still felt appropriate). He said yes, and I devoured it in two days. I highly recommend folks of all ages to read it. It’s well done, a great story, and teaches some solid lessons about life, death, and relationships. Easy 5 stars, b’y!

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mystery, but it’s also so much more. It’s a moving story about acceptance, friendship, and finding your own way. It takes on big issues like bullying, ageism, and racism, and features a main character with Mosaic Down Syndrome which is something I haven’t seen in many books. Set in the author’s home province of Newfoundland, it’s full of fun local expressions that I think added to its charm. I wasn’t expecting a mystery to hit me so hard, but I literally sobbed through the last couple of chapters. This one gets a solid 5-star rating from me!

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benny on the Case is a charming, cozy mystery for fans of small towns and underdog triumphs. The pacing is perfect and the story never feels like a drag (even in the middle, which can be a challenge for many mysteries). With a riveting mystery, a delightful Newfoundland setting, and two endearing main characters at its helm, this book promises to be a winner for young fans of cozy mysteries.

Read my full review - https://readingmiddlegrade.com/benny-...

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of loveable characters and a cozy family atmosphere, Benny's story is a sweet story. I don't know how relatable the fraud storyline is to kids, but Benny and Salma are a great duo and they handle their challenges well together. Probably the mystery would have been a bit more engaging had it been more kid-centric.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "mystery" portion of the story felt a little clunky and forced. I thought the book was going to focus more on friendships, school dynamics, etc. although I knew it was a mystery. I liked the character of Benny, but once he explained mosiac down syndrome, it didn't need to be explained multiple times.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big fan of this inclusive middle grade mystery. Not only is there a solid mystery at the heart of it, but it is also a heartwarming story of friendship and found family - also for speaking up in the face of intolerance. I think many kids will be able to see themselves in this story, which is a wonderful thing.

Also I cried. So there’s that.

[Lori Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really a kids' book. The protagonist is a 6th grader with mosaic Down syndrome. it's pretty rare, but a friend's son has it, too. The two boys, fictional and real, are affected differently. it's a cute book.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy books like this, but I just didn’t connect with this one, though the mystery had a Harlem Charade vibe. It had a bit of a slow start and then by the time it really got going, I had already solved the mystery. However, kid readers might not be so jaded.