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Making Plans for Nigel Binty
A heartwarming middle grade novel about figuring out who you are when it seems like everyone else has already decided for you, for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Gary D. Schmidt.
Nigel Binty has spent sixth grade trying to stick to a plan. His problem is the plan keeps changing in unexpected ways. His only friend has dropped him. His dad moved out two months ago. His anxiety isn’t getting any better. None of that is part of the plan.
When Glory Bea Medford (yes, that’s her real name) turns up at school in March, she plans to keep the reason for her mid-year transfer a secret. Glory Bea prizes being truthful but having everyone find out her father embezzled money from his church was bad enough the first time around. She doesn’t plan to go through that again.
Told in two perspectives, with Glory Bea’s chapters presented as unmailed letters to her incarcerated father, Shawn K. Stout uses warmth and humor to explore what happens when two sixth graders overwhelmed by major life changes cross paths.
Nigel Binty has spent sixth grade trying to stick to a plan. His problem is the plan keeps changing in unexpected ways. His only friend has dropped him. His dad moved out two months ago. His anxiety isn’t getting any better. None of that is part of the plan.
When Glory Bea Medford (yes, that’s her real name) turns up at school in March, she plans to keep the reason for her mid-year transfer a secret. Glory Bea prizes being truthful but having everyone find out her father embezzled money from his church was bad enough the first time around. She doesn’t plan to go through that again.
Told in two perspectives, with Glory Bea’s chapters presented as unmailed letters to her incarcerated father, Shawn K. Stout uses warmth and humor to explore what happens when two sixth graders overwhelmed by major life changes cross paths.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2026
25 people want to read
About the author
Shawn K. Stout
17 books36 followersShawn K. Stout is the author of several acclaimed books for young readers, including the PENELOPE CRUMB series and THE IMPOSSIBLE DESTINY OF CUTIE GRACKLE. Her new novel, ANATOMY OF LOST THINGS, will be released in June 2024. Shawn is a science writer at the National Institutes of Health and holds an M.F.A. in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives with her family in Maryland. Visit her at www.shawnkstout.com.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 19, 2025
having an author as a mom means a lot of things. first, it means that i get early access to all of her books, which is fantastic. second, it means i can tell which bits of our life inspired her story, like how one of the characters was inspired by my grandmother, or how the principal of nigel’s school is named after an old liverpool football club manager. it also means that i’m able to see just how much work it takes to write a book.
“making plans for nigel binty” is a perfect coming of age story that explores struggling with anxiety, not fitting in, and making friends (things i’m sure almost everyone can relate to.) this book was made with kids younger than me in mind, but the problems the main characters have to face are universal. as a young writer myself, this story inspired me to write about my own struggles, and it helped me realize that you will find your people eventually, whether it’s early on in life or when everything seems hopeless.
definitely read this book (when it comes out, that is!)
“making plans for nigel binty” is a perfect coming of age story that explores struggling with anxiety, not fitting in, and making friends (things i’m sure almost everyone can relate to.) this book was made with kids younger than me in mind, but the problems the main characters have to face are universal. as a young writer myself, this story inspired me to write about my own struggles, and it helped me realize that you will find your people eventually, whether it’s early on in life or when everything seems hopeless.
definitely read this book (when it comes out, that is!)
October 29, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Nigel has just transferred to Thorpewood Academy after dealing with a lot of unsettling life changes; his grandparents have passed away, and his parents are separated. This doesn't help lessen his constant anxiety, which often results in an upset stomach. When he makes the unusual decision to pick up a dead mole on the athletic field, he thinks he is going to be in trouble when he is called to the principal's office, but it's just a check in with his mother about Nigel's frequent absences. Of course, when he drops his diorama into which the dead mole was placed, this causes him problems. It also draws him to the attention of new student Glory Bea, who is transferring to the school after her minister father, whom she calls Rev, is sent to jail on embezzlement charges. She's being raised by her Aunt Pauline, who moves Glory Bea from Tennessee to Maryland. Nigel's long time best friend is Milo, but the two aren't getting along very well now that Milo is hanging out with Jonah and Zeke. Glory is struggling in her new school, misses her father, and is getting to know her aunt and her aunt's girlfriend, Etta. When a class field trip to the Chesapeake Bay is announced, Nigel doesn't want to go, but his mother, who is deep into a self help book for "planatics", encourages him to go. He gets paired with Glory, which ends up being a good thing when he faints as he is getting on a boat. Water deeply upsets him. During the course of the trip, however, he reads something a bit mean that Glory has written in her notebook about him, and tells Milo about Glory's father. Milo doesn't keep this a secret, which causes a rift between the two new friends. Nigel is hoping to work on a compulsory cardboard boat project with Glory, but ends up having to go in the boat himself. Will the two ever be able to make up, since they did seem to get along so well?
Strengths: Nigel and Glory Bea are two well meaning but troubled characters who have had a lot thrown at them, and also have to deal with middle school friend drama. Parents separating or being incarcerated can make life very difficult for children, and I can see how Nigel and Glory might be drawn to each other. While public schools don't have much in the way of field trips these days, I can see a private school having an adventure in nature to inspire poetry and writing. It's good to see that the children have supportive caretakers and access to some therapy.
Weaknesses: While there are a lot of things going on, it would have helped to have a more defined plot. Since I've elected to do several language arts projects, I've paid more attention to what central conflicts and plot ARCs exist in novels. It's also difficult to pick one theme when there are so many different threads!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed field trip stories that highlighted the problems of some of the characters, like Davis' Food Fight, Richards' Survive This Safari, Jensen's Lilac and the Switchback or Bradley's Daybreak on Raven Island.
Nigel has just transferred to Thorpewood Academy after dealing with a lot of unsettling life changes; his grandparents have passed away, and his parents are separated. This doesn't help lessen his constant anxiety, which often results in an upset stomach. When he makes the unusual decision to pick up a dead mole on the athletic field, he thinks he is going to be in trouble when he is called to the principal's office, but it's just a check in with his mother about Nigel's frequent absences. Of course, when he drops his diorama into which the dead mole was placed, this causes him problems. It also draws him to the attention of new student Glory Bea, who is transferring to the school after her minister father, whom she calls Rev, is sent to jail on embezzlement charges. She's being raised by her Aunt Pauline, who moves Glory Bea from Tennessee to Maryland. Nigel's long time best friend is Milo, but the two aren't getting along very well now that Milo is hanging out with Jonah and Zeke. Glory is struggling in her new school, misses her father, and is getting to know her aunt and her aunt's girlfriend, Etta. When a class field trip to the Chesapeake Bay is announced, Nigel doesn't want to go, but his mother, who is deep into a self help book for "planatics", encourages him to go. He gets paired with Glory, which ends up being a good thing when he faints as he is getting on a boat. Water deeply upsets him. During the course of the trip, however, he reads something a bit mean that Glory has written in her notebook about him, and tells Milo about Glory's father. Milo doesn't keep this a secret, which causes a rift between the two new friends. Nigel is hoping to work on a compulsory cardboard boat project with Glory, but ends up having to go in the boat himself. Will the two ever be able to make up, since they did seem to get along so well?
Strengths: Nigel and Glory Bea are two well meaning but troubled characters who have had a lot thrown at them, and also have to deal with middle school friend drama. Parents separating or being incarcerated can make life very difficult for children, and I can see how Nigel and Glory might be drawn to each other. While public schools don't have much in the way of field trips these days, I can see a private school having an adventure in nature to inspire poetry and writing. It's good to see that the children have supportive caretakers and access to some therapy.
Weaknesses: While there are a lot of things going on, it would have helped to have a more defined plot. Since I've elected to do several language arts projects, I've paid more attention to what central conflicts and plot ARCs exist in novels. It's also difficult to pick one theme when there are so many different threads!
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed field trip stories that highlighted the problems of some of the characters, like Davis' Food Fight, Richards' Survive This Safari, Jensen's Lilac and the Switchback or Bradley's Daybreak on Raven Island.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews