Stupid Boy

by Laura Bilodeau, Alison Hodyna (Editor)

156 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2026

Reviews

[Zane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books don’t just tell a story they quietly crawl under your skin and stay there. Stupid Boy is one of those books.

Laura Bilodeau delivers an emotional and unsettling coming of age story that feels painfully real in all the best ways. The writing captures that fragile space between innocence and heartbreak, where confusion, loneliness, and desperation blur together. Every page carried this heavy emotional tension that made me want to keep reading while also dreading what might happen next.
What stood out most for me was how raw and human the characters felt. Nobody is perfect here, and that’s exactly why the story works so well. The emotions hit hard without ever feeling forced, and there’s a lingering sadness throughout the novel that makes the quieter moments feel even more powerful.The atmosphere also deserves praise. There’s this constant sense of melancholy hanging over everything almost nostalgic, but in a haunting way. It’s the kind of book that makes you stare at the ceiling after finishing the final chapter.If you enjoy emotionally driven stories with darker themes, complicated relationships, and realistic characters, this is absolutely worth picking up.

[Jess Beedle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading stupid boy! As an autistic young person this really hit me to the core and there was multiple times I stopped and was nearly in tears. This really hit my heart hard! Thank you for writing this gut wrenching book! And highlighted the horrors of the reality of life! I’m so glad it had a happy ending too!! I would have been a mess if it didn’t have one! I felt so in-tuned with the young boy! And mother and her brother! Portrayed emotions really well! This was the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely be checking her others out as this book was blown out the park! Would definitely recommend this book to all readers and especially people who have an autistic person in their lives as this representation was brilliant and like I said gut wrenching but a brilliant book!! Definitely recommend

[Nicole Rubbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Benji is an autistic 4th grader who is non verbal. His widowed mom is very attentive and caring towards her son. On her way to pick him up one day after school she was just a couple minutes late because she decided to get herself a cup of coffee. Little did she know this few minutes turn into a tragedy.
Marco, a custodian who works at the school who wants to become part of a secret society has been given the job of kidnapping a child. The child he kidnaps is Benji. He doesn’t realize that Benji is autistic.
I felt like this story could have been so much better if it wasn’t so rushed. There was so much detail that could have been put into it that I felt like it was lacking.
From the time that Benji was kidnapped to the time that the story ended felt like so much was missing.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benji is an autistic fourth grader waiting for his mom on an ordinary school day. Unknown to them, an evil person is nearby. But Benji is a strong, brave boy who wants to go home. Hard hitting emotion packed read. With strong characters, beautiful story.

[kasey culp]

Benji is a younger autistic 4th grader waiting to be picked up on his bench. Mandee is his mother dealing with the grief of a deceased husband and now a single mother.

[Crystal O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story from multiple POV's. Benji is a boy with non verbal autism who disappears from school after his aid leaves him to help with a playground disturbance. Mom is a few minutes late due to all those things that can go wrong does scenarios. As someone who has friends and family and worked with children with autism, this hits close to home. The guilt, the fear, the semi worse case scenario.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming of age book about a non-verbal, Autistic fourth grader who is kidnapped from his school.
The story follows and journey of widowed mum Mandee and her brother Gage, in a battle to find out what happened and where her boy is.
Its a well written book and had me wondering what was coming next. However, it felt rushed, it felt there was lots of opportunities for extra detail and depth that were missed.
On saying that, I absolutely did like the book and would definitely read others.

[Angel Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupid Boy
By: Laura Bilodeau
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: Sometime in May
Length: 205 pages
Content Warnings: Child Abduction, Abuse, Trauma, Violence, Psychological Distress, Autism Representation, Emotional Grief.

Wow... Just wow.

Stupid Boy is not your typical horror story. There are no monsters hiding in the shadows, no supernatural force creeping through the dark. Instead, Laura Bilodeau delivers something far more unsettling: a story rooted in reality, in fear, and in the kind of pain that feels possible.

We follow Mandee, a widowed Army wife, and her son Benji, a non-verbal autistic child who becomes the victim of a kidnapping tied to something far more sinister. From the very beginning, the story moves with urgency, wasting no time pulling you into its nightmare. But what makes this book stand out is not just the premise, it’s the execution.

Benji is not just a character. He feels real.
The way Laura portrays his inner world, his thoughts, his confusion, and his love for his mother is one of the most powerful and authentic depictions I’ve read. As a father of an autistic child, this hit on a completely different level. I didn’t just read Benji… I understood him. I felt him. In many moments, I saw my own daughter in him.
And that changes everything.

Because this stops being just a horror story and becomes something much heavier. This is horror that lives in helplessness. In the fear of not being able to protect your child. In the reality that evil doesn’t need claws or fangs to exist. The book makes a statement that lingers long after you’re done:

Monsters aren’t just the shadows in the dark or the things that go bump in the night. They are just like you and I.

That idea is what makes this story truly terrifying. There is no reliance on gore to carry the weight. The tension comes from the situation itself, from the emotional stakes, and from the raw vulnerability of both mother and child. It’s a quieter horror, but one that hits much harder because of it.
If there’s anything to note, it’s that this is not a book for readers looking for fast thrills or entertainment-driven horror. This is heavy. It’s emotional. It sits with you.

And honestly… that’s exactly what makes it work.

This story hurt in the best and worst ways possible. And by the end, what stayed with me most was not just the horror, but Benji himself. His voice. His love. His need to hold on to who he is in the middle of something unspeakable. Because beneath all the pain, all the fear, and all the darkness, one truth keeps beating at the center of this story:

Benji is Benji.
And Benji loves Mommy.

🎯 Recommended for:
• Parents, especially those with neurodivergent children
• Readers who appreciate emotional, character-driven horror
• Fans of realistic, grounded psychological horror
• Anyone looking for horror that feels personal and deeply human
🚫 Not for:
• Readers looking for light, fun, or escapist horror
• Those sensitive to themes involving children in danger
• Anyone expecting supernatural or gore-heavy horror

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ REAL – This book passed the 3.5 mark. It hit hard, stayed with me, and earned its place.

— Angel R. Sánchez

[Svea Neitzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortuate enough to read the ARC of Stupid Boy by Laura Bilodeau . The author put her soul into writing this book and is very personal to her.

Autism is a spectrum of neurodivserity, and those who are on it have different abilities, gifts, and struggles. My husband, daughter, and myself are AuDHD (ADHD and autism together) and we experience things very differently, even from each other.

Every chapter is different character's point of view. The ones that affected me the most were Benji's and his mother,Mandee. Mandee is a widow who gives 110% and more to provide the best life for Benji. I can identify with her, especially when my daughter was born three months premature. I get the stress when Mandee has to buy "safe" foods. Eating aversions go beyond a child being picky. Mandee feels guilt for doing self care acts, which is completely understandable. Mandee is realistically vulnerable through everything.

Benji's inner monolgue is innocent, shows his strength, and is absolutely heartbreaking. He is scared and emotionally hurt by his kidnapper. His inner monlogue shows how intune he is to what is going around him and why he acts the way he does. I hope this helps others to understand autism more.

Benji isn't a stupid boy. He really is Benji the Brave and is very smart. He survives through every mom's worst nightmare. Throughout his ordeal, I just wanted to hold him. As a mom, the plot scared me to pieces. Unforunately, children are taken all the time. The horrors of real life situations are the most terrifying to me. This is a beautifully written horror book that has so much heart.

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a non-verbal autistic boy disappears, his mother’s entire world shatters as the search for him spirals into something every parent fears.

I went into this one real nervous. As a mum to two autistic boys - one of them non-verbal - I genuinely didn’t know if I could handle it. But I did… and I’m still not sure my heart has recovered.
This is every parent’s worst nightmare, but it hits on a completely different level when your child can’t communicate. The fear? The helplessness? It’s suffocating. And honestly, I was already crying before anything even happened. Just the way this book captures life with a non-verbal autistic child felt so real it was almost like reading my own thoughts back at me.
And then it breaks you.
Then we get to Benji’s POV and I was absolutely gone. Full-on sobbing, couldn’t see the page properly, emotional destruction. This book doesn’t just pull on your heartstrings, it rips them clean out.
I loved it. I hated it. I never want to read anything like it again… and yet I’m so glad I experienced it. It’s powerful, devastating, and completely unforgettable.

[McKenzie McCollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book in exchange for my honest review.
I finished Stupid Boy and I am feral as hell about it.
As a mom to a neurodivergent, speech delayed kid this didn’t hit close to home it crawled into my chest and started wrecking shit. I had to stop reading because I was about to cry in public like an unhinged goblin.
This is not cute spooky horror this is real life nightmare fuel. No monsters just people and that is so much more fucked up.
Benji is not a character he is a whole ass gut punch. His thoughts his love for his mom absolutely destroyed me. I felt this shit in my bones. It is heavy it hurts and it sticks to you like you can’t scrub it off.
Thank GOD for the ending because I would have lost my damn mind.
I also REALLY appreciated the mini artists feature of the book..
First book by this author and yeah I’m unwell as hell. Go read it if you want your feelings absolutely wrecked.

[LeighAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupid Boy is, simply put, a fantastic read. While it can be difficult to get through at times due to the subject matter, it’s an incredibly captivating and emotional story.
Benji, a nonverbal boy with autism, is taken advantage of because of his trusting nature, and the author does a powerful job bringing his experience to life. You can truly feel Benji’s fear as well as his mother’s desperation and worry, which makes the story even more impactful.
As an SLP who works with students with autism, this book hit especially hard for me. It serves as a meaningful reminder of how incredible, vulnerable, and deserving of protection these children are.
A moving and memorable read that stays with you long after you finish.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupid Boy by Laura Bilodeau
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Wow!! One of my favorite reads of 2026!
This book is beautiful written and so heart warming. The love that a mother has for her son and the great lengths she will go to for him are insurmountable.

Mandee has a demanding life as a single mom to a special needs child. He’s her world and losing him would make her completely fall apart.

I read this book so fast, as I truly couldn’t put it down. The suspense, the tension, the raw emotions are huge! I had lots of chills, sniffles and screams!!

I was very lucky to be a beta reader for this novella!
This is a must read book for every parent, and non parent too! This one will stick with me for a long time!!

*It comes out May 23rd!! Make sure and get your copy!!*

[Alison Hodyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupid Boy by Laura Bilodeau is every parent's worst nightmare. I realize that sounds like a cliche, but in this case, there's no more accurate way to describe it. The story explores multiple points of view that show the reader how the events of a single tragedy can affect everyone involved. The feeling of attachment to the characters is effortless - you immediately care deeply for each one and become invested in how they navigate the unfortunate circumstances they find themselves in.
Benji is a young autistic boy who goes missing from outside his school, and his mother, Mandee, is desperate to find him at all costs. What do you do when the only thing you have left in this world is taken from you?

[Kez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this story and how the author took her own personal experience for Benji. Autistic kids aren't always portrayed correctly in books, but I feel this was one part that she got right.

The idea of a child going missing is scary enough, but if the child in question is non-verbal then it is far worse - which is what happens to Mandee and Benji.

I would have loved to have a little bit more backstory on the Secret Society (I do love me some secret societies) and just more of an actual story. The story that we get is great, but it felt a bit rushed and over too quickly. If the story was built on a bit more, then this would have definitely been a 5 star read for me.

[Aesha yepez · Rating 4 out of 5]

For starters I loved the art work hats off to all the little artists in the making ! This book was a good read from the start I was instantly hooked , I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this book in all honesty but I did enjoy it that’s for sure , this was the first book I’ve read from this author and I’ll definitely be back to read more of her work . This book was a short read but had me so intrigued I devoured this book in less than 2 hours i enjoyed the plot and the little twist at the end

[Caitlyn Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was so well written and if you are a parent, I highly recommend reading it.
The author really kept me hooked and I devoured the whole book in 2 days. I would have finished it faster if I didn't have 5 kids 🤣
I read mostly horror/thrillers and this was a horror in a whole different kind of way. This book makes me not care how anyone feels about me being a helicopter parent!
Great read!

[Mieke Janssens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a 'regular' horror story. No jump scares, no creepy basements, none of that. It's a heartbreaking story about a mom whose autistic, non verbal son gets kidknapped. The fear, the guilt, the helplessness.... Laura manages to bring it to life in a way that feels very real.

The story felt very delicate, and I'm sure it will hit close to home for parents. Honestly, it did for me, and I don't even have kids.

[callioperosereed · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Monsters aren’t just the shadows in the dark
or the things that go bump in the night. They are
just like you and I.”

Benji is a non-verbal, autistic child who is taken from school grounds by the janitor who is involved with a “Secret Society” of pedophiles.

This story follows the POV of Benji, the janitor, Mandee (benji’s mother) and Mandee’s brother Gage during Benji’s time being kidnapped.

This was a thrilling, easy read that kept me wanting more.

[Gary Vassallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

What an emotional rollercoaster!

I was hooked from the start and could not put it down. I thought Laura really captured Benji and Mandee's feelings, behaviour and emotions so well. The representation of an autistic child and parent was so well done in my opinion. I read an ebook version and I will be purchasing a physical copy when it becomes available. I will be reading this again and again.

Highly recommended!

[Rainbeaux Harvest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in my feelings too early in this book. The plot was one that I have imagined many times before. But not the ending that happens in my head.

Mandee and Benji only have each other. Can't forget about Gage, Mandee's brother. The three of them are all they have left. Now one of them is taken and it's up to the others to find him. Secret Societies are closer than you think.

[Steph Cartmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to feel a lot with this book! This book is beautifully written. You feel the pain, you get an insight into the mind of an autistic child, helping people understand how big feelings can be without a single word spoken. You see good and evil, you see pure beauty and pure pain. I 100% recommend 🖤