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The Kids Under the Stairs #1
BenBee and the Teacher Griefer
From the author of Rhyme Schemer , House Arrest , and Knockout !
The Kids Under the BenBee and the Teacher Griefer is a funny, clever novel-in-verse series about Ben Bellows—who failed the Language Arts section of the Florida State test—and three classmates who get stuck in a summer school class.
But these kids aren't dumb—they're divergent thinkers , as Ms. J tells they simply approach things in a different way than traditional school demands.
• Each chapter is told through the perspective of one of the four students, who each write in a different style (art, verse, stream of consciousness).
• Celebrates different types of intelligence
• A heartwarming, laugh-out-loud novel-in-verse
Soon, the kids win over Ms. J with their passion for Sandbox, a Minecraft-type game. The kids make a deal with Ms. every minute they spend reading aloud equals one minute they get to play Sandbox in class. But when the administration finds about this unorthodox method of teaching, Ben B. and his buds have to band together to save their teacher's job—and their own academic future.
The first in a series of complementary storylines, this is an honest, heartfelt book about friendship, videogames, and learning to love yourself.
• Features a distinct and engaging cast of characters
• Encourages even the most reluctant reader to embrace their own "divergent" self
• Perfect for parents of kids age 10 and up who love Minecraft, educators and librarians, middle grade readers, new readers of poetry, and fans of videogames
• Add it to the shelf with books like Ghost by Jason Reynolds, Patina by Jason Reynolds, and Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan.
The Kids Under the BenBee and the Teacher Griefer is a funny, clever novel-in-verse series about Ben Bellows—who failed the Language Arts section of the Florida State test—and three classmates who get stuck in a summer school class.
But these kids aren't dumb—they're divergent thinkers , as Ms. J tells they simply approach things in a different way than traditional school demands.
• Each chapter is told through the perspective of one of the four students, who each write in a different style (art, verse, stream of consciousness).
• Celebrates different types of intelligence
• A heartwarming, laugh-out-loud novel-in-verse
Soon, the kids win over Ms. J with their passion for Sandbox, a Minecraft-type game. The kids make a deal with Ms. every minute they spend reading aloud equals one minute they get to play Sandbox in class. But when the administration finds about this unorthodox method of teaching, Ben B. and his buds have to band together to save their teacher's job—and their own academic future.
The first in a series of complementary storylines, this is an honest, heartfelt book about friendship, videogames, and learning to love yourself.
• Features a distinct and engaging cast of characters
• Encourages even the most reluctant reader to embrace their own "divergent" self
• Perfect for parents of kids age 10 and up who love Minecraft, educators and librarians, middle grade readers, new readers of poetry, and fans of videogames
• Add it to the shelf with books like Ghost by Jason Reynolds, Patina by Jason Reynolds, and Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
32 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
March 13, 2020
Honored to read an advance copy. Kids will love this one!
June 12, 2020
This 100% reminds me of a book written FOR kids - which duh, isn’t that the point? A story written from 4 different perspectives; verse, prose, and illustration — which as a teacher has my wheels spinning with how I can use the entire book as a mentor text. The storyline follows this group of kids who are in an isolated class for retaking their Florida State Assessment that they call the FART - but it digs even deeper by building a huge bond through Sandbox a Minecraft type video game that they even get their teacher in on. As I read this story I thought of how many students are going to connect to each of these kids in many different wants. Whether it’s their academic struggle (504s, dysgraphia, stuttering, anxiety for test taking) or their family struggles (Parent expecting perfection, single parents, losing a dog, losing a family member, not feeling accepted by your family) - this book has something for every single student sitting in your classroom. Again, another K.A. Holt book done phenomenally. Can’t wait to share.
October 18, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and the kids are going to love it!
July 30, 2020
@kidlitexchange Partner: Ben Bee and the Teacher Griefer by @kari_anne_holt. Releases 9.22.20 through @chroniclebooks.
I received this book in the mail a couple of hours ago and I’ve already finished it. This NEVER happens. Let me walk you through this book that I loved so, so much.
Four neurodivergent kids—Jordan, Javier, and two Bens—have to go to summer school because their learning differences have caused them to fail in a traditional, rigid classroom. Each kid is dealing with a different personal issue—from parents impossible to please to the loss of loved ones to speech impediments. The one thing that unites them is their love of a Minecraft-type game. Thanks to their amazing, quirky teacher, Mrs. J, the kids are able to embrace their unique learning styles and learn in a way that works for them, with some help from the game.
This is a novel-in-verse and is told from the perspective of all four kids. The kids themselves are the best part of this book. They are just precious and so real. (Protect Jordan at all costs.) And Mrs. J was amazing.
I love this book SO MUCH that you really simply have to buy a copy in September. Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
I received this book in the mail a couple of hours ago and I’ve already finished it. This NEVER happens. Let me walk you through this book that I loved so, so much.
Four neurodivergent kids—Jordan, Javier, and two Bens—have to go to summer school because their learning differences have caused them to fail in a traditional, rigid classroom. Each kid is dealing with a different personal issue—from parents impossible to please to the loss of loved ones to speech impediments. The one thing that unites them is their love of a Minecraft-type game. Thanks to their amazing, quirky teacher, Mrs. J, the kids are able to embrace their unique learning styles and learn in a way that works for them, with some help from the game.
This is a novel-in-verse and is told from the perspective of all four kids. The kids themselves are the best part of this book. They are just precious and so real. (Protect Jordan at all costs.) And Mrs. J was amazing.
I love this book SO MUCH that you really simply have to buy a copy in September. Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
October 21, 2023
This book melted my heart at least 15 times! A very creative free verse novel about 4 "failures" of the Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test and the summer school teacher who changes their world. This is a love note to teachers!! I can not recommend this book more highly and I am ordering books 2 & 3 immediately for my library.
Grades 5 and up.
Grades 5 and up.
September 5, 2024
MCBA nominee that should be a hit with gamers and kids who are ambivalent towards reading.
Nobody in this group of academically struggling students is happy to be forced away from their Minecraft-inspired game for the summer for remedial reading and standardized test redos. However, when the right mix of kids, teacher, and inspiration happens anything is possible. Told in multiple formats including game chat logs and verse in each student’s voice. Also, “I’m not sure they [school administration] realize that librarians cause more trouble than anyone. 😈” (04:22:05).
Nobody in this group of academically struggling students is happy to be forced away from their Minecraft-inspired game for the summer for remedial reading and standardized test redos. However, when the right mix of kids, teacher, and inspiration happens anything is possible. Told in multiple formats including game chat logs and verse in each student’s voice. Also, “I’m not sure they [school administration] realize that librarians cause more trouble than anyone. 😈” (04:22:05).
September 19, 2021
Love this book and the fun format! Perfect for all those divergent kids out there.
PAGE 321 is 💯 TRUE.
PAGE 321 is 💯 TRUE.
September 14, 2020
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for a review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
This book comes out 9/22/20. YOU SHOULD GET IT! Here's why.
1. K.A. Holt is apparently a genius and can only write amazing books. I have yet to be proved wrong on this account.
2. It's told in a super fun format. Our 4 main characters each have their own style of story telling, and the format shifts as the perspective does. Two characters speak in verse, one in extreme run-on sentence/stream of conscious style, and one through drawings. The switch ups work so well with each character and really help you to get into their head. I'm picky about verse because I like detail, but I can't imagine this book written any other way.
3. As a teacher, I'm a sucker for any story about a "special" teacher. And by special I mean builds relationships with kids so the kids actually know that they care. And this story has a great teacher story. Ms. J (no relation) makes some mistakes but has a really kind heart and truly works WITH her kids to help them succeed. Strong Mr. Terupt-esque vibes here.
4. The kids. The kids! I love them all! I cried several times while reading this book because despite the sometimes sparse words, they really connected with me. These characters feel SO. REAL. I see so many students in these characters. Students who for one reason or another do not have an easy time at school. Students who feel like their differences make them stupid. Students who feel like there is no way they will ever be successful. And on top of all of that, they have other stuff going on too, because that's life. All kids, but especially reluctant readers or divergent thinkers will see themselves in this story.
5. Lots of other topics are woven intricately into the story, not the center, but still important. This is beautifully done.
6. Sandbox (aka basically Minecraft). So fun!!
7. I'm pretty sure there are going to be more of these books and that is excellent news. YAY!
8. There are so many other great things about this book but I will keep you here forever if I list them all.
Honestly my only critique is the title, because I think it might confuse/distract people and lead to them not picking up the book to find out how awesome it is. But that's just my opinion and I certainly hope I'm proven wrong!
Please please please go meet BenBee and OhBenY and JORDANJMAGEDDON and jajajavier and JJ11347 and watch them battle game ghosts, glitches, bad luck, and bad books to be the best versions of themselves.
This book comes out 9/22/20. YOU SHOULD GET IT! Here's why.
1. K.A. Holt is apparently a genius and can only write amazing books. I have yet to be proved wrong on this account.
2. It's told in a super fun format. Our 4 main characters each have their own style of story telling, and the format shifts as the perspective does. Two characters speak in verse, one in extreme run-on sentence/stream of conscious style, and one through drawings. The switch ups work so well with each character and really help you to get into their head. I'm picky about verse because I like detail, but I can't imagine this book written any other way.
3. As a teacher, I'm a sucker for any story about a "special" teacher. And by special I mean builds relationships with kids so the kids actually know that they care. And this story has a great teacher story. Ms. J (no relation) makes some mistakes but has a really kind heart and truly works WITH her kids to help them succeed. Strong Mr. Terupt-esque vibes here.
4. The kids. The kids! I love them all! I cried several times while reading this book because despite the sometimes sparse words, they really connected with me. These characters feel SO. REAL. I see so many students in these characters. Students who for one reason or another do not have an easy time at school. Students who feel like their differences make them stupid. Students who feel like there is no way they will ever be successful. And on top of all of that, they have other stuff going on too, because that's life. All kids, but especially reluctant readers or divergent thinkers will see themselves in this story.
5. Lots of other topics are woven intricately into the story, not the center, but still important. This is beautifully done.
6. Sandbox (aka basically Minecraft). So fun!!
7. I'm pretty sure there are going to be more of these books and that is excellent news. YAY!
8. There are so many other great things about this book but I will keep you here forever if I list them all.
Honestly my only critique is the title, because I think it might confuse/distract people and lead to them not picking up the book to find out how awesome it is. But that's just my opinion and I certainly hope I'm proven wrong!
Please please please go meet BenBee and OhBenY and JORDANJMAGEDDON and jajajavier and JJ11347 and watch them battle game ghosts, glitches, bad luck, and bad books to be the best versions of themselves.
July 9, 2020
I received an excerpt of the first few chapters from Chronicle Books through Edelweiss+. I also received the full ARC from Chronicle Books through NetGalley.
Interesting concept and writing style. Told by the four main characters - each has their own unique delivery style - some poetry, some prose, some drawings.
These divergent thinkers all end up in summer school as they failed their standardized test. Combine this with a love for one video game - think Mindcraft - and middle grade readers will appreciate this book.
Holt reveals more about her characters throughout the story. Readers will relate to their life situations and how they handle them. Powerful message about learning styles, uniqueness and how life factors affect learning.
Hope we see a seventh grade sequel.
Interesting concept and writing style. Told by the four main characters - each has their own unique delivery style - some poetry, some prose, some drawings.
These divergent thinkers all end up in summer school as they failed their standardized test. Combine this with a love for one video game - think Mindcraft - and middle grade readers will appreciate this book.
Holt reveals more about her characters throughout the story. Readers will relate to their life situations and how they handle them. Powerful message about learning styles, uniqueness and how life factors affect learning.
Hope we see a seventh grade sequel.
January 10, 2021
I think students are going to enjoy this book. It’s written from four different perspectives with the classic Holt spin. This novel-in-verse deals with four divergent thinkers who are all in summer school studying for the Florida State Test. The students make deal with Mrs. J. to earn the right to play video games. Unfortunately, Mrs. J’s unorthodox style lands her in trouble and the students have to find way to save the only adult who “gets” them. This book is about friendship, school, and video games that honor different learning styles and divergent thinking. I enjoyed the chats, the illustrations and the characters.
September 24, 2020
Amazing! The 4 kids in this story are so well written. Parts of this book are heart breaking and other parts are laugh-out-loud funny. I will obviously be talking this book up to students, but I’m hoping to see fellow teachers read it as well.
January 29, 2021
Great Middle school book
July 5, 2021
Creative story with a sweet message
July 13, 2021
This was a very good fast read. I liked how this one teacher cared enough to find a way to connect with these kids. Shout out to all those teachers and librarians who go the extra mile for students.
September 4, 2020
My son's have enjoyed all of KA Holt's books. We will definitely be purchasing this for our jfic collection. I think a lot of kids will see themselves reflected in this story . Its ironic that it is about reluctant readers but I find verse stories a great way to capture those kids. Also, this is an important book for teachers and specialists to read to help remind us that not all kids learn in the same way.
January 1, 2021
What a great book to end another year of reading! First off, the craft is so engaging being told in prose, verse, sketches, and chat. Secondly, the story of friendship and perseverance warmed my heart and one I think so many middle schoolers can relate to. I can't wait to tell my students about this one next week!
May 21, 2021
Kids will love the design of this book; Teacher saves kids/kids save teacher isn't a new theme, but it's well-told here. The teacher is depicted as a human being, not the perfect savior and not the evil nemesis. Loss, death, and learning disabilities are handled with grace.
October 4, 2022
I loved this book! It gives perspective on the value of video games (which I was so against at a kid). It has great personification as each character has their own style of writing (or drawing) their portion of the book. So many great things to say about this book as a mom, teacher, and book lover.
October 13, 2024
Great story for middle grades. I almost cried I liked it so much!!!
September 10, 2022
I loved the way this book presented each kid’s story in a different way. A great reminder that every one of our students has their own way of seeing and succeeding in the world.
April 29, 2022
This is one of those gaming books, that isn't really about gaming, but the gaming forms the framework for the story, which is told in two-column poetry (thank you!) and texting and some prose, depending on the character's point-of-view, and it's an awesome funny ugly-cry story all wrapped into one.
The kids -- BenBee, Jordan J, Javier -- are all in summer school after 6th grade because they failed the FART: the Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test. (No, this doesn't spell FART. No, they don't pick up on that until near the end, but it's hilarious in the beginning.) Now, my mother taught the equivalent class for high school for many years in Florida, only the stakes were much higher -- graduation, and all the societal / employment / college benefits that implies. The middle school setting allows the author a bit more leeway in how both the teacher and the students tackle retaking the test.
Because while the kids are on their second and third chances as "divergent learners" in summer school, so is their teacher, Ms. J, who's not really a classroom teacher (yes, there's a difference, and yes, many librarians can be and do both, but it takes a special person to teach middle school), she's a librarian also on her second chance -- a professional second chance.
So when BenBee's assigned reading book ends up in the toilet, and Ms. J takes a chance on allowing ever-silent Javier to pick the book they'll read (Save UR Server, a bit like a choose your own adventure book, but for a Minecraft-type game the kids all play), she's taking a potentially career-ending chance on her students.
They broker a deal with her: they'll read the book, if she plays the game with them in the last 10 minutes of each class. Really, plays the game. And she takes the deal, even goes so far as to suggest playing the game is "Typing practice." The kids are in heaven, although they think the book is kinda stupid because it offers "choices" that you wouldn't actually do in the game, but they're discovering what it feels like to finish a book, and they're not going to give up.
Until there's a disastrous observation by the school principal. I won't say what happens, just know, Ms. J's career is on the line and the kids come through for her -- while she comes through for them, in a big way you don't see coming (and had me in tears!).
I will say, I really appreciated the layout of the free verse poetry -- it's in two-columns, which prevents the book from being near 400 pages, which it would, otherwise. I really wish other verse books would adopt this text layout and decrease page counts, which can be daunting for middle schoolers otherwise.
Enjoy this wonderful read!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The kids -- BenBee, Jordan J, Javier -- are all in summer school after 6th grade because they failed the FART: the Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test. (No, this doesn't spell FART. No, they don't pick up on that until near the end, but it's hilarious in the beginning.) Now, my mother taught the equivalent class for high school for many years in Florida, only the stakes were much higher -- graduation, and all the societal / employment / college benefits that implies. The middle school setting allows the author a bit more leeway in how both the teacher and the students tackle retaking the test.
Because while the kids are on their second and third chances as "divergent learners" in summer school, so is their teacher, Ms. J, who's not really a classroom teacher (yes, there's a difference, and yes, many librarians can be and do both, but it takes a special person to teach middle school), she's a librarian also on her second chance -- a professional second chance.
So when BenBee's assigned reading book ends up in the toilet, and Ms. J takes a chance on allowing ever-silent Javier to pick the book they'll read (Save UR Server, a bit like a choose your own adventure book, but for a Minecraft-type game the kids all play), she's taking a potentially career-ending chance on her students.
They broker a deal with her: they'll read the book, if she plays the game with them in the last 10 minutes of each class. Really, plays the game. And she takes the deal, even goes so far as to suggest playing the game is "Typing practice." The kids are in heaven, although they think the book is kinda stupid because it offers "choices" that you wouldn't actually do in the game, but they're discovering what it feels like to finish a book, and they're not going to give up.
Until there's a disastrous observation by the school principal. I won't say what happens, just know, Ms. J's career is on the line and the kids come through for her -- while she comes through for them, in a big way you don't see coming (and had me in tears!).
I will say, I really appreciated the layout of the free verse poetry -- it's in two-columns, which prevents the book from being near 400 pages, which it would, otherwise. I really wish other verse books would adopt this text layout and decrease page counts, which can be daunting for middle schoolers otherwise.
Enjoy this wonderful read!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
July 11, 2021
A mixed media novel that has poetry, steam of consciousness writing, chat logs, video games, drawings, report cards, teacher evaluations, emojis, test bubble sheets and five "divergent" points of view! I absolutely LOVED it! This book nails what it is like to be a "divergent" learner and a "divergent" teacher and the consequences that come with both. I loved how each character was shown to have their flaws, yet their flaws were vastly out-shadowed by their strengths. I feel like all kids will love this novel because of all the media that is woven together and how engaging it is. Sandbox is Minecraft in my mind and who doesn't love Minecraft right now? The chickenfall made me laugh and I would so be the one who pick axes another avatar instead of the diamonds. I love how the kids are helping Ms. J learn their world while she's trying to help them learn the English Language Arts world. And I love how they read a guidebook to the game out loud in class and give up on the prescribed curriculum.
Obviously as a teacher, I connected and loved Ms. J the most. I will forever strive to not be a teacher griefer (a teacher who gives students grief over everything they do wrong, all the time). Ms. J resonated with me so so much with her non-traditional approach to teaching and the harsh consequences she faced because of her different ways to reach students. And every teacher can sympathize this that ONE evaluation where everything that could go wrong, goes wrong.
Ben B types super well and kicks butt in Sandbox. He just doesn't do well on standardized tests. And his parents have him on a STRICT summer schedule to improve on everything. His handwriting is pretty terrible - so the typing everything idea is awesome for him!
Ben Y is grieving and takes on her brother's name in his memory, but people can't seem to get her name correct. It's BenY - not Benita. She's a new person who champions gender neutral phrases and emojis.
Jordan J (no relation to Ms. J) loves to dance and move. His stream of consciousness is a mile a minute, but online, he speaks in emojis. He's going through a loss too.
Javier can draw! He hates to read out loud. He's quiet, but super caring. He can type too and kicks butt in Sandbox, but he will not read aloud in class. I loved his character selection for each of his classmates and the sting ray drawing for Ms J.
You can't help but love all the characters!
Highly recommend this one!
Obviously as a teacher, I connected and loved Ms. J the most. I will forever strive to not be a teacher griefer (a teacher who gives students grief over everything they do wrong, all the time). Ms. J resonated with me so so much with her non-traditional approach to teaching and the harsh consequences she faced because of her different ways to reach students. And every teacher can sympathize this that ONE evaluation where everything that could go wrong, goes wrong.
Ben B types super well and kicks butt in Sandbox. He just doesn't do well on standardized tests. And his parents have him on a STRICT summer schedule to improve on everything. His handwriting is pretty terrible - so the typing everything idea is awesome for him!
Ben Y is grieving and takes on her brother's name in his memory, but people can't seem to get her name correct. It's BenY - not Benita. She's a new person who champions gender neutral phrases and emojis.
Jordan J (no relation to Ms. J) loves to dance and move. His stream of consciousness is a mile a minute, but online, he speaks in emojis. He's going through a loss too.
Javier can draw! He hates to read out loud. He's quiet, but super caring. He can type too and kicks butt in Sandbox, but he will not read aloud in class. I loved his character selection for each of his classmates and the sting ray drawing for Ms J.
You can't help but love all the characters!
Highly recommend this one!
July 10, 2022
Yup! You are going to want this one on your shelves if you are a 5th grade or middle school teacher. definitely a book club book!!
Soooooo much to love about this book. I took a lot of notes as I listened to the audio. Let's see if I can put them together in some sort of order that makes a tiny bit of sense.
Audience: Great for gamers. Novel in verse so perhaps fans of poetry.
Writing:
-Word choice is great.
-Love the spunky characters.
-Very funny and witty. The chat infractions crack me up! I"m sure students will agree.
-Actually laughed out loud multiple times.
-The different personalities are cracking me up.
-The "I am Spartacus" moment is really great. You almost want to hoot and holler for them.
-Oooh the ghost moment with Ben Y and the teacher is chillingly good. Quiet and heartfelt. Ooh. I’m
going to tear up. A perfect chapter. The way Holt exposes her character and just flays her open as
you read. Cuts deep.
-It’s clever and witty and Holt is a wordsmith.
-It seems real and authentic. Characters you’ve seen before but with renewed heart.
-The audio is great.
-Really looked forward to the times I could listen. Always the sign of a great book.
-So the audio is great but sometimes listening to the chat is annoying. In some ways, the book
would be better. But awesome audio. You'll understand if you listen to it, it's due to the typing
aspect.
-Nice little messages about being yourself.
-Imagine what happens if students wrangled and made a deal with their teacher to play their
favorite world building online game. Summer school and Minecraft.
Characters you will find:
-ADHD boy with a sick dog who loves to dance and is always positive.
-Overzealous parents who are looking for protection.
-New boy who studders and is having trouble adjusting and making friends.
-Girl who goes by her brother's name. Never wants to go home.
-Omg. Jordan jay magedan is my favorite.
Creative Language You Will Find:
-Oh shiitake mushrooms
-Freakin’
-Sin of a bench
-Shirtballs!!!
-I'm pretty sure these phrases will go viral if a large group of students read them. So beware that after this book there will likely be a period of time where you hear a lot of these words being tested out in class??
Soooooo much to love about this book. I took a lot of notes as I listened to the audio. Let's see if I can put them together in some sort of order that makes a tiny bit of sense.
Audience: Great for gamers. Novel in verse so perhaps fans of poetry.
Writing:
-Word choice is great.
-Love the spunky characters.
-Very funny and witty. The chat infractions crack me up! I"m sure students will agree.
-Actually laughed out loud multiple times.
-The different personalities are cracking me up.
-The "I am Spartacus" moment is really great. You almost want to hoot and holler for them.
-Oooh the ghost moment with Ben Y and the teacher is chillingly good. Quiet and heartfelt. Ooh. I’m
going to tear up. A perfect chapter. The way Holt exposes her character and just flays her open as
you read. Cuts deep.
-It’s clever and witty and Holt is a wordsmith.
-It seems real and authentic. Characters you’ve seen before but with renewed heart.
-The audio is great.
-Really looked forward to the times I could listen. Always the sign of a great book.
-So the audio is great but sometimes listening to the chat is annoying. In some ways, the book
would be better. But awesome audio. You'll understand if you listen to it, it's due to the typing
aspect.
-Nice little messages about being yourself.
-Imagine what happens if students wrangled and made a deal with their teacher to play their
favorite world building online game. Summer school and Minecraft.
Characters you will find:
-ADHD boy with a sick dog who loves to dance and is always positive.
-Overzealous parents who are looking for protection.
-New boy who studders and is having trouble adjusting and making friends.
-Girl who goes by her brother's name. Never wants to go home.
-Omg. Jordan jay magedan is my favorite.
Creative Language You Will Find:
-Oh shiitake mushrooms
-Freakin’
-Sin of a bench
-Shirtballs!!!
-I'm pretty sure these phrases will go viral if a large group of students read them. So beware that after this book there will likely be a period of time where you hear a lot of these words being tested out in class??
March 23, 2023
Ben and three of his fellow middle-school classmates are forced to sit in summer school because they all failed the Florida State Reading Test. Each of these four kids has a struggle going on outside of school as well. This book focuses on Ben, but also weaves in and introduces the other characters, Ben Y (Benita Ybarra), Jordan J, and Javier. Ms. J and another student, Ace, appear in the story and are carried through the series.
These middle-grade novels are told in verse and use illustrations throughout the story to reach those resistant and reluctant readers that might not naturally pick up a regular book. The four classmates are big into gaming and spend their evenings chatting and building their world in Sandbox, much like what we know to be Minecraft.
This series of novels is called The Kids Under the Stairs because when they arrive at their summer school class, created directly to help them pass the standardized Florida test, the classroom is literally a group of desks tucked under the stairs. The kids can’t believe this is where they have to spend their summer, in a dark corner of the school where no one seems to care about them, except for Ms. J, their summer school teacher who seems a bit odd, but ends up being the person that saves them.
This book focuses on the summer in the lives of these four classmates and their struggles both in school and at home. Their relationship with Ms. J shows readers that there are teachers that see them and want to make learning fun and reading accessible. When Ms. J incorporates the Sandbox game into their curriculum, the kids and Ms. J find they will need to rely on each other more than they could have imagined.
Kids will identify with at least one of the characters and love the gaming features added to the telling of the story. Since Javier only speaks through his illustrations, kids will wonder what is going on with him. My heart broke when I realized why Javier refused to speak or read aloud as it was something that affected our boys as well.
These books should be on every middle-school bookshelf as kids will be exposed to poetry and lyrical writing as well as kids who think differently about the world and their access to learning.
These middle-grade novels are told in verse and use illustrations throughout the story to reach those resistant and reluctant readers that might not naturally pick up a regular book. The four classmates are big into gaming and spend their evenings chatting and building their world in Sandbox, much like what we know to be Minecraft.
This series of novels is called The Kids Under the Stairs because when they arrive at their summer school class, created directly to help them pass the standardized Florida test, the classroom is literally a group of desks tucked under the stairs. The kids can’t believe this is where they have to spend their summer, in a dark corner of the school where no one seems to care about them, except for Ms. J, their summer school teacher who seems a bit odd, but ends up being the person that saves them.
This book focuses on the summer in the lives of these four classmates and their struggles both in school and at home. Their relationship with Ms. J shows readers that there are teachers that see them and want to make learning fun and reading accessible. When Ms. J incorporates the Sandbox game into their curriculum, the kids and Ms. J find they will need to rely on each other more than they could have imagined.
Kids will identify with at least one of the characters and love the gaming features added to the telling of the story. Since Javier only speaks through his illustrations, kids will wonder what is going on with him. My heart broke when I realized why Javier refused to speak or read aloud as it was something that affected our boys as well.
These books should be on every middle-school bookshelf as kids will be exposed to poetry and lyrical writing as well as kids who think differently about the world and their access to learning.
August 6, 2020
Four rising 7th graders. Video Gamers. Divergent thinkers assigned to a summer school class. And a teacher who needs to teach them to read well enough to pass the FART (Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test), a teacher who is willing to meet her students half way, a teacher who shifts from a Teacher Griefer to a Gaming Legend, a teacher who learns that mastering Human Being Assessment Test skills is more important than Reading and Writing Assessment skills.
•Benjamin Bellows aka Sandbox Gamer Ben Bee whose weak writing skills are overcome with a 504 Plan and a typewriter. “”I’ve been thinking: finally something to help me do better, not Why now, not what’s wrong.” (206ARC)
•Benita Ybarra aka Sandbox Gamer ObenwhY who is struggling with grief and loss. “But when you crash your car, you don’t have extra lives saved, stored up, hoarded. You have nothing that can blink you back to life.” (189ARC) but who learns to trust and heal “I look up at her, as I pull this moment even tighter, a soft blanket of now becoming a bandage holding together the crack in my heart.” (191ARC)
•Jordan Jackson aka Sandbox Gamer JORJORDANJMAGEDDON, diagnosed with ADHD, friendly, funny, and obsessed with a television dance contest show—and with Spartacus.
•New student Javier Jimenez aka Sandbox Gamer jajajavier who has a secret as to why he hides behind a hoodie and refuses to read aloud. “I think I finally have friends” (266ARC)
•Teacher Jordan Jackson (no relation) aka Sandbox Gamer JJ11347 whose job is in jeopardy after she allows the students to read a book based on Sandbox instead of Oliver Twist, a divergent teacher. “you’re right, though she’s a divergent teacher she teaches differently she, like, listens to us.” (247ARC)
Four kids who become “Not besties. But not nothings.” (211ARC) Four children who I fell in love with as they discover their strengths individually and together through the willingness of a teacher to become a learner.
Written in the students’ four voices in free verse, stream-of-consciousness, and drawings, and through game chats, the story will appeal to divergent upper elementary and middle-grade readers.
•Benjamin Bellows aka Sandbox Gamer Ben Bee whose weak writing skills are overcome with a 504 Plan and a typewriter. “”I’ve been thinking: finally something to help me do better, not Why now, not what’s wrong.” (206ARC)
•Benita Ybarra aka Sandbox Gamer ObenwhY who is struggling with grief and loss. “But when you crash your car, you don’t have extra lives saved, stored up, hoarded. You have nothing that can blink you back to life.” (189ARC) but who learns to trust and heal “I look up at her, as I pull this moment even tighter, a soft blanket of now becoming a bandage holding together the crack in my heart.” (191ARC)
•Jordan Jackson aka Sandbox Gamer JORJORDANJMAGEDDON, diagnosed with ADHD, friendly, funny, and obsessed with a television dance contest show—and with Spartacus.
•New student Javier Jimenez aka Sandbox Gamer jajajavier who has a secret as to why he hides behind a hoodie and refuses to read aloud. “I think I finally have friends” (266ARC)
•Teacher Jordan Jackson (no relation) aka Sandbox Gamer JJ11347 whose job is in jeopardy after she allows the students to read a book based on Sandbox instead of Oliver Twist, a divergent teacher. “you’re right, though she’s a divergent teacher she teaches differently she, like, listens to us.” (247ARC)
Four kids who become “Not besties. But not nothings.” (211ARC) Four children who I fell in love with as they discover their strengths individually and together through the willingness of a teacher to become a learner.
Written in the students’ four voices in free verse, stream-of-consciousness, and drawings, and through game chats, the story will appeal to divergent upper elementary and middle-grade readers.
Read
October 2, 2020If you haven't read a book by author K.A. Holt, here's a great place to start. Her novels in verse have well-developed story lines and unique characters that make them fast-paced reads that are sure to touch the hearts of every reader. I haven't met a book of Holt's I haven't thoroughly enjoyed.
BENBEE AND THE TEACHER GRIEFER is about a small group of Florida summer school students hoping to pass their retakes of the FART. Well, everyone calls it the FART, but it's actually the Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test - FRAAT. Ben, Benita, Jordan, and Javier are all taking remedial reading summer school with Ms. J. to brush up on the skills they need to earn a passing score required on the test.
The tiny class is meeting in a room #113 which is really just a few desks crammed under the stairs at the end of a hall. Ms. J. quickly discovers that her students would much rather be playing a video game called Sandbox rather than reading aloud from a book she chose for the summer session. As a teacher willing to recognize what she labels as "divergent" students, she asks Benita to stay late one afternoon to help her choose a better book in the school library. Benita, or BenY as she prefers, selects a book called SAVE UR SERVER, SAVE UR SELF, a book about strategies for the Sandbox video game.
It takes some convincing, but Ms. J. agrees to let them read the book. They also agree to another deal which is that if they read aloud for 10 minutes each day in class, Ms. J. will play Sandbox with them for 10 minutes IN CLASS. The four students can't believe their teacher is actually willing to play a video game and at school to boot.
As the summer passes, Ms. J. and her students learn about trust, friendship, and how being divergent is not a bad thing. As each student's unique story is revealed, readers will see them gain understanding of just what it means to help each other through the tough times. They even join forces to help Ms. J. in her time of need. Overall, a perfectly divergent tale.
BENBEE AND THE TEACHER GRIEFER is about a small group of Florida summer school students hoping to pass their retakes of the FART. Well, everyone calls it the FART, but it's actually the Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test - FRAAT. Ben, Benita, Jordan, and Javier are all taking remedial reading summer school with Ms. J. to brush up on the skills they need to earn a passing score required on the test.
The tiny class is meeting in a room #113 which is really just a few desks crammed under the stairs at the end of a hall. Ms. J. quickly discovers that her students would much rather be playing a video game called Sandbox rather than reading aloud from a book she chose for the summer session. As a teacher willing to recognize what she labels as "divergent" students, she asks Benita to stay late one afternoon to help her choose a better book in the school library. Benita, or BenY as she prefers, selects a book called SAVE UR SERVER, SAVE UR SELF, a book about strategies for the Sandbox video game.
It takes some convincing, but Ms. J. agrees to let them read the book. They also agree to another deal which is that if they read aloud for 10 minutes each day in class, Ms. J. will play Sandbox with them for 10 minutes IN CLASS. The four students can't believe their teacher is actually willing to play a video game and at school to boot.
As the summer passes, Ms. J. and her students learn about trust, friendship, and how being divergent is not a bad thing. As each student's unique story is revealed, readers will see them gain understanding of just what it means to help each other through the tough times. They even join forces to help Ms. J. in her time of need. Overall, a perfectly divergent tale.
July 27, 2020
@kidlitexchange
Thank you to @Chroniclekidsbooks for sharing an advance copy of BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by @Kari_anne_holt with the #kidlitexchange network. This book will be released in September 2020. All opinions are my own.
Four students find themselves in summer school after failing the language arts portion of the Florida State Test (or the FART as the kids call it). Their teacher, Mrs. J., teaches them that they're not dumb, they're divergent thinkers who approach things in a different way than traditional school demands. The four share a love of the game Sandbox and soon convince Mrs. J to trade minutes read aloud for minutes of Sandbox time. When the administration finds out about Mrs. J's unusual teaching practices, the four students must band together to save Mrs. J's job and maybe also themselves.
This is such a wonderful book that does an excellent job of representing kids who do learn in non-traditional ways. Each student is also struggling with something internally (the loss of a sibling, the loss of a pet, dealing with a stutter, etc.). The characters are super likeable and their conflicts are easy to relate to. I loved that each child had a unique voice and that was reflected in how their portion of the story was told. For example, Ben B and Ben Y both narrate via verse, while Jordan J is prose and mostly long run-ons (mimicking his vibrant, go-go-go personality), and Javier's view is told through doodle notes. There is also a fifth form of narration, the Sandbox chat. I loved the way this story unfolded. I want to be like Mrs. J, a divergent teacher. I think that middle grade readers will love this book, but I also think it is a good read for teachers and parents. It reminds us that it's okay to accept help, that it's okay to be different, and that sometimes, in order to succeed, we have to think outside of the box.
Thank you to @Chroniclekidsbooks for sharing an advance copy of BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by @Kari_anne_holt with the #kidlitexchange network. This book will be released in September 2020. All opinions are my own.
Four students find themselves in summer school after failing the language arts portion of the Florida State Test (or the FART as the kids call it). Their teacher, Mrs. J., teaches them that they're not dumb, they're divergent thinkers who approach things in a different way than traditional school demands. The four share a love of the game Sandbox and soon convince Mrs. J to trade minutes read aloud for minutes of Sandbox time. When the administration finds out about Mrs. J's unusual teaching practices, the four students must band together to save Mrs. J's job and maybe also themselves.
This is such a wonderful book that does an excellent job of representing kids who do learn in non-traditional ways. Each student is also struggling with something internally (the loss of a sibling, the loss of a pet, dealing with a stutter, etc.). The characters are super likeable and their conflicts are easy to relate to. I loved that each child had a unique voice and that was reflected in how their portion of the story was told. For example, Ben B and Ben Y both narrate via verse, while Jordan J is prose and mostly long run-ons (mimicking his vibrant, go-go-go personality), and Javier's view is told through doodle notes. There is also a fifth form of narration, the Sandbox chat. I loved the way this story unfolded. I want to be like Mrs. J, a divergent teacher. I think that middle grade readers will love this book, but I also think it is a good read for teachers and parents. It reminds us that it's okay to accept help, that it's okay to be different, and that sometimes, in order to succeed, we have to think outside of the box.
October 15, 2020
KA Holt is just amazing. Her approach to middle grade novels is creative and exciting, keeping readers engaged with verse, throwing scribbled notes and blackout poetry, drawings and doodles in to catch readers where they live. I loved Rhyme Schemer and ended up using blackout poetry in my library at the time to get kids looking at words differently. Now, Holt takes on "divergent" kids and uses Sandbox, a game similar to Minecraft, to reach readers. Four characters: BenBee, BenY, JordanJ, and Javier are four kids in summer school for failing a Florida state standardized test (not-so affectionately referred to as the FART). Their teacher is Ms. J, a librarian-turned-teacher who's got her own assessment she's sweating over; she has to turn these "divergent thinkers" into readers that can pass the FART. The book unfolds through each tween's narration, told in their very individual styles: free verse, stream of consciousness, and art. Ms J isn't your normal type of teacher, and these kids - "the kids under the stairs", as that's the area where their classroom is shoehorned - aren't your typical students. Each is grappling with bigger issues than the FART, and Ms. J eventually understands that she's got to meet these kids where they live: namely, Sandbox.
BenBee and the Teacher Griefer has it all: grief and loss, learning disabilities and overbearing parents, a teacher willing to do the unconventional work to reach her students, and... Spartacus. The characters are realistic and relatable, fully realized on the page; the frustration with standardized testing and the "one student size fits all" approach, and the pressure on teachers to cram students into that one-size-fits-all model. The book is voraciously readable and deserves a spot next to the most popular Minecraft adventures and the best new kidlit.
BenBee and the Teacher Griefer has it all: grief and loss, learning disabilities and overbearing parents, a teacher willing to do the unconventional work to reach her students, and... Spartacus. The characters are realistic and relatable, fully realized on the page; the frustration with standardized testing and the "one student size fits all" approach, and the pressure on teachers to cram students into that one-size-fits-all model. The book is voraciously readable and deserves a spot next to the most popular Minecraft adventures and the best new kidlit.
April 25, 2021
This book was OK, but not in the top 10 of middle grade books I have read this year so far. I tried to hand it to my video gamer (12 year old) son, but he was put off by the format and wouldn't read it.
Four students are taking a remedial summer school class for reading, and as they get to know each other and their dynamic teacher, they begin to form a bond around a certain popular video game that they all play (similar to Minecraft). However. Their actual names are different from the names they go by in school and slightly different from their gamer names (I am totally getting the verbiage wrong, but I'm a mom). The book is separated into sections, with each student telling part of the story along the way. While they all have a similar problem and goal (to pass a standardized test that they previously failed), each character has their own way of communicating: one doesn't speak and uses pictures and drawing to communicate his view point, one uses run-on sentences, one uses a kind of verse to "speak", and so on.
While some readers will love this format, it wore me out. I found it difficult to keep switching narrators and trying to piece together the story from so many names/people. And while BenBee is one of the characters, I did not get the impression that he was the focus of the narrative, so the title is a little "off" for me.
During car pool the other day, one of my son's friends asked to look at the book, and he started reading from a random place in the middle. As he read out loud, the boys were laughing and seeming to enjoy the story. "Hey, this sounds like Minecraft!" one said. "Can I read it when you are done?" So I will be handing it back to some young reader, now that I am done, and I am interested to see if they end up enjoying the story.
Four students are taking a remedial summer school class for reading, and as they get to know each other and their dynamic teacher, they begin to form a bond around a certain popular video game that they all play (similar to Minecraft). However. Their actual names are different from the names they go by in school and slightly different from their gamer names (I am totally getting the verbiage wrong, but I'm a mom). The book is separated into sections, with each student telling part of the story along the way. While they all have a similar problem and goal (to pass a standardized test that they previously failed), each character has their own way of communicating: one doesn't speak and uses pictures and drawing to communicate his view point, one uses run-on sentences, one uses a kind of verse to "speak", and so on.
While some readers will love this format, it wore me out. I found it difficult to keep switching narrators and trying to piece together the story from so many names/people. And while BenBee is one of the characters, I did not get the impression that he was the focus of the narrative, so the title is a little "off" for me.
During car pool the other day, one of my son's friends asked to look at the book, and he started reading from a random place in the middle. As he read out loud, the boys were laughing and seeming to enjoy the story. "Hey, this sounds like Minecraft!" one said. "Can I read it when you are done?" So I will be handing it back to some young reader, now that I am done, and I am interested to see if they end up enjoying the story.
September 22, 2020
BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by K.A. Holt is out TODAY! Thanks to @kidlitexchange, @chroniclekidsbooks, and @kari_anne_holt for an ARC of this book.
I love K.A. Holt's verse novels, but this one is a whole new ball game! Four students, Ben B, Ben Y, Jordan J, and Javier, are in summer school because they failed their state assessment, and Ms. J is the teacher who's tasked with bringing them up to speed. These four students don't know it at first, but they have a lot in common. They hate to read. They have never finished reading a book on their own. And, most importantly, they all love the game Sandbox. After making an agreement with Ms. J, the students are allowed to read a Sandbox-themed Choose Your Own Adventure-type book, and even earn time to play Sandbox at school if they meet their time quota for reading aloud. The four students start to become friends as they open up about their struggles in the Sandbox game, along with their real lives.
This is billed as a verse novel, but I'm excited at how many students it will appeal to because one character's chapter is told in drawings. I've known many students like this - hate reading, hate writing, but have so much to express if you let them draw. I think most middle grade readers will be able to see themselves in at least one of these four characters, while feeling empathy for them all. The characters and their struggles are real, relatable, and most of all - incredibly interesting to read about! This is definitely one to get for your home, classroom, school library, or middle grade section of the public library - it's going to be a hit!
I love K.A. Holt's verse novels, but this one is a whole new ball game! Four students, Ben B, Ben Y, Jordan J, and Javier, are in summer school because they failed their state assessment, and Ms. J is the teacher who's tasked with bringing them up to speed. These four students don't know it at first, but they have a lot in common. They hate to read. They have never finished reading a book on their own. And, most importantly, they all love the game Sandbox. After making an agreement with Ms. J, the students are allowed to read a Sandbox-themed Choose Your Own Adventure-type book, and even earn time to play Sandbox at school if they meet their time quota for reading aloud. The four students start to become friends as they open up about their struggles in the Sandbox game, along with their real lives.
This is billed as a verse novel, but I'm excited at how many students it will appeal to because one character's chapter is told in drawings. I've known many students like this - hate reading, hate writing, but have so much to express if you let them draw. I think most middle grade readers will be able to see themselves in at least one of these four characters, while feeling empathy for them all. The characters and their struggles are real, relatable, and most of all - incredibly interesting to read about! This is definitely one to get for your home, classroom, school library, or middle grade section of the public library - it's going to be a hit!
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