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Billy Miller #2
Billy Miller Makes a Wish
The stand-alone companion to two-time Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes’s award-winning, acclaimed, and bestselling The Year of Billy Miller. Billy Miller Makes a Wish is a laugh-out-loud funny and accessible story about summer, family, and wishes that (almost) come true. A great choice for young middle grade readers. Illustrated in black-and-white throughout by the author.
On his birthday, Billy Miller wishes for something exciting to happen. But he immediately regrets his wish when an ambulance rushes to his neighbor’s house. Is Billy responsible? Award-winning author Kevin Henkes delivers a short, funny, and emotionally complex novel complete with misplaced love letters, surprising critters, art projects, misguided tattoos—and another surprise for Billy and his family, maybe the best one yet!
Illustrated throughout with black-and-white art by the author, this is a perfect novel for the early elementary grades and an essential choice for summer reading. A companion to The Year of Billy Miller, a Newbery Honor Book.
On his birthday, Billy Miller wishes for something exciting to happen. But he immediately regrets his wish when an ambulance rushes to his neighbor’s house. Is Billy responsible? Award-winning author Kevin Henkes delivers a short, funny, and emotionally complex novel complete with misplaced love letters, surprising critters, art projects, misguided tattoos—and another surprise for Billy and his family, maybe the best one yet!
Illustrated throughout with black-and-white art by the author, this is a perfect novel for the early elementary grades and an essential choice for summer reading. A companion to The Year of Billy Miller, a Newbery Honor Book.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published April 6, 2021
37 people are currently reading
4536 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Henkes
149 books1,217 followersKevin Henkes is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, Olive's Ocean in 2004 and The Year of Billy Miller in 2014. His picture book Waiting was named both a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a Geisel Honor Book. It was only the second time any author has won that combination of awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
March 25, 2021
Billy Miller has finished second grade (The Year of Billy Miller) and now he is turning eight. He blows out his candles and makes a wish. Before he can even open his presents, they hear sirens coming down the street. The Billy we know and love is concerned that he has brought about the event that made those firetrucks and ambulances come to his neighborhood. Can he redo his wish and undo whatever just occurred down the street? Spend some time with Billy and family during his break between 2nd and 3rd grades with a sweet surprise for all at the end. Billy is the same boy we know and love from his previous book, but this new book can most definitely stand alone. Another book from Kevin Henkes that is perfect for reading aloud at home and in the classroom.
Thank you to Greenwillow Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Greenwillow Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2021
Cute! Cute! Cute! If you have middle schoolers watching younger kiddos - this is a perfect read aloud for them. I felt like the author climbed in the mind of a 2nd grader. The mail delivery scene had me in stitches- one of the funniest scenes that I have read in a long time. Love this family- wish they were my neighbors.
Read
August 10, 2021Billy Miller has finished second grade (The Year of Billy Miller) and now he is turning eight. He blows out his candles and makes a wish. Before he can even open his presents, they hear sirens coming down the street. The Billy we know and love is concerned that he has brought about the event that made those firetrucks and ambulances come to his neighborhood. Can he redo his wish and undo whatever just occurred down the street? Spend some time with Billy and family during his break between 2nd and 3rd grades with a sweet surprise for all at the end. Billy is the same boy we know and love from his previous book, but this new book can most definitely stand alone. Another book from Kevin Henkes that is perfect for reading aloud at home and in the classroom.
*Review by Darla from Red Bridge*
*Review by Darla from Red Bridge*
June 12, 2021
A bit better than it’s predecessor, Billy Miller experiences a lot of unexpected surprises after blowing out his candles on his birthday. B+ (83%/Very Good)
November 29, 2021
I liked this one even better than the first one. It has the same sweet relationships between Billy and his parents as the first. His little sister Sal was especially hilarious in this one. And I loved the surprise at the end (though it’s pretty easy for any adult to guess).
May 22, 2021
It's June, school is out, and Billy Miller is a rising third grader. It's also Billy's eight birthday and just before he blows out the candles on his cake, he wishes that something exciting would happen. Ten minutes later, a police car and an ambulance arrive on his street for the first time in Billy's life. Could it be that his wish came true so quickly? But when his elderly neighbor is taken away on a stretcher, Billy wonders if this happened because of his wish. Suddenly, Billy has an uneasy feeling, especially knowing his Papa would be going away the next day to adult art camp for a week. And when the neighbor, Mr. Tooley, passes away, a very distressed Billy is sure it is his fault. When his Papa reassures Billy that Mr. Tooley dying had nothing to do with him, Billy feels immensely relieved. Maybe now he can begin to enjoy his summer vacation.
But as the first week of summer progresses, more exciting things happen. First, there's the bat in the basement incident. Billy had just been thinking about bats while helping his Mama clean the basement when suddenly there was a real bat flying around. Then, there are the old letters written by his Mama and Papa to each other that Sal, Billy's little sister, finds in the basement and decides to play postman with, delivering them to all their neighbors. Imitating their postman, Sal also decides to give herself some purple tattoos using Billy's new birthday permanent markers. This is followed by the fire that starts in the fireplace when Mama tries to burn the letters that the neighbors have kindly returned, and why is Mama so tired all the time? It's only the first week of summer vacation and Billy is wondering whether all this excitement could be because of that one birthday wish that is causing a lot of guilt and regret for this caring, sensitive boy.
Billy Miller Makes a Wish is an interesting look at Billy's reactions to events that are out of his control and how, without Papa being there to reassure him, he feels responsible for what happens anyway. I think Billy is such a wonderfully drawn character. He's optimistic, kind and very patient with his little sister Sal, who is a really rambunctious little girl. As calm and introspective as Billy is, Sal is energetic and impulsive, a sister that knows her brother will let her use his new birthday markers even before he uses them himself. Mama and Papa are also patient and understanding and they form a family that just might be modeled on Kevin Henkes' own family.
Like its predecessor, Billy Miller Makes a Wish is a gentle, funny, and relatable chapter book. And like that first book, the story slowly unfolds so that each of the twenty chapters read like an episode, yet they form a coherent whole and are perfect for young readers transitioning to chapter books. To add to the story, Henkes has included black and white spot illustration throughout the book. And yes, there is a surprise ending, though adults sharing this book with kids may figure it out long before the end, and maybe it promises more Billy Miller stories while he is still at this young, innocent age.
If you enjoyed the first Billy Miller book by Kevin Henkes, The Year of Billy Miller, and even if you didn't read it, you are sure to like his newest adventure, which can also be read as a stand alone chapter book.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was an eARC gratefully received from NetGalley
But as the first week of summer progresses, more exciting things happen. First, there's the bat in the basement incident. Billy had just been thinking about bats while helping his Mama clean the basement when suddenly there was a real bat flying around. Then, there are the old letters written by his Mama and Papa to each other that Sal, Billy's little sister, finds in the basement and decides to play postman with, delivering them to all their neighbors. Imitating their postman, Sal also decides to give herself some purple tattoos using Billy's new birthday permanent markers. This is followed by the fire that starts in the fireplace when Mama tries to burn the letters that the neighbors have kindly returned, and why is Mama so tired all the time? It's only the first week of summer vacation and Billy is wondering whether all this excitement could be because of that one birthday wish that is causing a lot of guilt and regret for this caring, sensitive boy.
Billy Miller Makes a Wish is an interesting look at Billy's reactions to events that are out of his control and how, without Papa being there to reassure him, he feels responsible for what happens anyway. I think Billy is such a wonderfully drawn character. He's optimistic, kind and very patient with his little sister Sal, who is a really rambunctious little girl. As calm and introspective as Billy is, Sal is energetic and impulsive, a sister that knows her brother will let her use his new birthday markers even before he uses them himself. Mama and Papa are also patient and understanding and they form a family that just might be modeled on Kevin Henkes' own family.
Like its predecessor, Billy Miller Makes a Wish is a gentle, funny, and relatable chapter book. And like that first book, the story slowly unfolds so that each of the twenty chapters read like an episode, yet they form a coherent whole and are perfect for young readers transitioning to chapter books. To add to the story, Henkes has included black and white spot illustration throughout the book. And yes, there is a surprise ending, though adults sharing this book with kids may figure it out long before the end, and maybe it promises more Billy Miller stories while he is still at this young, innocent age.
If you enjoyed the first Billy Miller book by Kevin Henkes, The Year of Billy Miller, and even if you didn't read it, you are sure to like his newest adventure, which can also be read as a stand alone chapter book.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was an eARC gratefully received from NetGalley
January 4, 2023
Another wonderful book about Billy and his parents and baby sister, Sal
Fun
Fun
January 1, 2025
Another fun Miller Family Story that filled my heart with joy 😊 💜
April 23, 2021
This book is a five star rating because it is a laugh-out-loud book and it is comedy for the whole family. Another reason why I chose this book for a five star rating because the story is about how he thinks that his birthday wish is causing all this trouble happening around him and is driving his family crazy.
July 5, 2022
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
I absolutely loved the first one and this was a worthy successor. Billy is a sensitive boy who just had his eighth birthday and wished for something exciting to happen. He immediately got his wish which worried him. Did he make their neighbor take an ambulance then die? Other things happen, including the scary one of Papa leaving for four days for a grownup camp. Billy makes progress in separating his mental thoughts from the real world. More than a lot of grownups have! It ends with the whole family unified again and celebrating exciting news.
This reminds me of the Beverly Cleary “Ramona” series but with a male character. Highly recommended and I hope more titles come out!
I absolutely loved the first one and this was a worthy successor. Billy is a sensitive boy who just had his eighth birthday and wished for something exciting to happen. He immediately got his wish which worried him. Did he make their neighbor take an ambulance then die? Other things happen, including the scary one of Papa leaving for four days for a grownup camp. Billy makes progress in separating his mental thoughts from the real world. More than a lot of grownups have! It ends with the whole family unified again and celebrating exciting news.
This reminds me of the Beverly Cleary “Ramona” series but with a male character. Highly recommended and I hope more titles come out!
June 26, 2021
There are no better words to describe this than gentle and sweet and cute. The story is fairly short and simple and would be an excellent choice for a family read aloud or as a book club title for younger grades. I especially loved the feel-good ending and feel safe assuming that this isn’t the last of Billy and Sal and their family.
August 16, 2021
It was nice to check in with Billy and his family. As always, Kevin Henkes has a wonderful insight into what children are thinking and feeling. This is a wonderful early chapter book, appropriate for reading aloud with younger children and for new readers looking for their first chapter book.
September 25, 2022
Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee #1
I loved the sweet innocence of this narrator. Henkes has clearly been an 8 year old boy, and the skill with which he writes simple, everyday family happenings felt like I was reading the kind of journal I kept when I was 8. Billy isn’t precocious, but I love him more for it. Plus, the sentences in this book are designed for beginning readers, making this an excellent book for many of my students. I will definitely have to read The Year of Billy Miller as well!
I loved the sweet innocence of this narrator. Henkes has clearly been an 8 year old boy, and the skill with which he writes simple, everyday family happenings felt like I was reading the kind of journal I kept when I was 8. Billy isn’t precocious, but I love him more for it. Plus, the sentences in this book are designed for beginning readers, making this an excellent book for many of my students. I will definitely have to read The Year of Billy Miller as well!
March 9, 2022
I love how Henkes seems to have captured the age appropriateness of his characters! I adore Billy and his sister. I can’t wait for another adventure of Billy’s. Sweet story.
August 29, 2022
Thought I'd like it since it's on the Bluebonnet list, but I wasn't interested in the story at all.
August 27, 2021
A good read-aloud for younger children. Highlighed innocent feelings and worries of an 8 year old.
July 28, 2022
Kevin Henkes does a fantastic job of connecting to the thoughts, feelings, and fears of children. The main character, Billy, is 8, and children of this age will relate to his experiences in this book.
October 27, 2021
Very sweet book for 2/3 graders. I think Billy's fears and desires would be very relatable to kids.
May 19, 2021
This is the second book in the Billy Miller series. In this book, Billy makes a birthday wish that something exciting would happen. Well..sometimes excitement is not such a good thing. I love the female letter carrier and the accessible chapter book for second and third graders.
May 4, 2021
Family Life, Siblings, and Humor
Billy Miller Makes a Wish is the stand-alone chapter book about the character Kevin Henkes’ first created in The Year of Billy Miller. Billy is now nine. This tender tale shows kids what a safe, secure, and loving family can look like even with the ups and downs that can come with every new day.
It’s summertime! Billy Miller makes a birthday wish,,, foe something exciting to happen. Now he wants to take it back. His dad away at an art camp for adults and his best friend Ned on a family road trip, Billy is stuck spending time with his aggravating little sister. And, even more so since his mom has been extra tired lately. It seems everyday something exciting is happening and not all is good. Could these events be related to the wish? Can you take a wish back once it’s been made?
Warm and predictable and a good read foe early chapter book readers.
Billy Miller Makes a Wish is the stand-alone chapter book about the character Kevin Henkes’ first created in The Year of Billy Miller. Billy is now nine. This tender tale shows kids what a safe, secure, and loving family can look like even with the ups and downs that can come with every new day.
It’s summertime! Billy Miller makes a birthday wish,,, foe something exciting to happen. Now he wants to take it back. His dad away at an art camp for adults and his best friend Ned on a family road trip, Billy is stuck spending time with his aggravating little sister. And, even more so since his mom has been extra tired lately. It seems everyday something exciting is happening and not all is good. Could these events be related to the wish? Can you take a wish back once it’s been made?
Warm and predictable and a good read foe early chapter book readers.
February 26, 2022
I might have been the only one to give this book a 1 star rating, but please, DONT READ THIS BOOK. The main character is a absolute jerk, he has a very nice sister who he treats like garbage. There is no plot in this book, just a bunch of poorly written events. The main character also murders someone in the begging of the book, but I won’t get into that too much. The ending is also really dull and just a terrible end to an even more terrible book.
January 16, 2021
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a strong follow-up to the first book, and it does indeed stand alone as great choice for readers ready for chapter books. Billy is such a likeable character!
This is a strong follow-up to the first book, and it does indeed stand alone as great choice for readers ready for chapter books. Billy is such a likeable character!
Read
April 21, 2021Loved it!
January 2, 2024
Cute sequel to the Bill Miller story.
June 29, 2023
Billy Miller Makes a Wish by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, April 2021) continues the story of the sweet boy from The Year of Billy Miller, a growing up book with realistic kid-appropriate situations to enjoy and possibly learn from. Once again, Billy Miller Makes a Wish manages to capture a child’s realistic thoughts about how his life is connected with the lives of those around him. And Henkes manages to write a complex kid-appropriate novel that takes place in just a few short days!
On Billy Miller’s birthday, his wish is that something exciting will happen. Soon thereafter, he sees an ambulance racing by! This excitement is dimmed when he finds out that the ambulance was for an elderly neighbor who has passed away. When other exciting things happen, he realizes that exciting doesn’t mean “good.” Billy faces both new and unknown situations, and he begins to think all these “exciting” things are his fault because of his wish.
I felt like Billy’s concerns were very realistic to a young child. After all, my kids think they are the center of the universe. To start seeing “exciting” things like this could very easily, in a young mind, transfer to the conclusion that the happenings were “his fault.” I read this with my 7-year-old daughter and she understood just why Billy Miller thought things were his fault, and we had good discussion as to why they certainly were not!
Billy Miller Makes a Wish has some very memorable scenes as well as very funny scenes, even though Billy’s thoughtful and internal character realizations may not feel exciting when you read about here. After all, if these were exciting events for Billy Miller himself, they are sure to be exciting for other kids just like him. I don’t know how Kevin Henkes does it, but he knocked it out of the park again with this book.
On the blog: https://reviews.rebeccareid.com/billy...
On Billy Miller’s birthday, his wish is that something exciting will happen. Soon thereafter, he sees an ambulance racing by! This excitement is dimmed when he finds out that the ambulance was for an elderly neighbor who has passed away. When other exciting things happen, he realizes that exciting doesn’t mean “good.” Billy faces both new and unknown situations, and he begins to think all these “exciting” things are his fault because of his wish.
I felt like Billy’s concerns were very realistic to a young child. After all, my kids think they are the center of the universe. To start seeing “exciting” things like this could very easily, in a young mind, transfer to the conclusion that the happenings were “his fault.” I read this with my 7-year-old daughter and she understood just why Billy Miller thought things were his fault, and we had good discussion as to why they certainly were not!
Billy Miller Makes a Wish has some very memorable scenes as well as very funny scenes, even though Billy’s thoughtful and internal character realizations may not feel exciting when you read about here. After all, if these were exciting events for Billy Miller himself, they are sure to be exciting for other kids just like him. I don’t know how Kevin Henkes does it, but he knocked it out of the park again with this book.
On the blog: https://reviews.rebeccareid.com/billy...
March 17, 2021
First sentence: When Billy Miller blew out the eight candles on his birthday cake, he made a wish. He wished that something exciting would happen.
Premise/plot: Be careful what you wish for. Billy Miller makes a wish on his birthday for life to be more EXCITING. What follows is an exciting summer that maybe is a little too exciting for his liking.
My thoughts: Billy Miller Makes A Wish is a follow-up to The Year of Billy Miller. Don't worry if you haven't read the first book--which released in 2013. Billy Miller Makes a Wish makes a marvelous stand alone read.
What I enjoyed most in the first book, according to my review, were the home scenes. Since Billy Miller Makes a Wish is set in the summer, it is ALL home scenes. The book just made me HAPPY or GIDDY. It was such a joy to see Billy Miller at home with his family: his dad, his mom, and his younger (4 year old) sister. I picked up some authentic FAMILY vibes. Billy can still be tender and sweet with his sister one minute and want to be far, far, far away from her drama the next. (Especially in the grocery store!)
I did make a little guess about the ending halfway through the novel, but I doubt young readers will pick up on the same clues.
It was just a joy to read this one.
Quotes:
“Can I use your markers?” Sal repeated. “Please?” Slatted sunlight striped her face. “I need to make a symphony card.” “What’s that?” Billy asked. He had never heard of a symphony card. “Well, I’m not sure,” said Sal. “But Mama’s doing one, too. It’s because Mr. Tooley died.”
Premise/plot: Be careful what you wish for. Billy Miller makes a wish on his birthday for life to be more EXCITING. What follows is an exciting summer that maybe is a little too exciting for his liking.
My thoughts: Billy Miller Makes A Wish is a follow-up to The Year of Billy Miller. Don't worry if you haven't read the first book--which released in 2013. Billy Miller Makes a Wish makes a marvelous stand alone read.
What I enjoyed most in the first book, according to my review, were the home scenes. Since Billy Miller Makes a Wish is set in the summer, it is ALL home scenes. The book just made me HAPPY or GIDDY. It was such a joy to see Billy Miller at home with his family: his dad, his mom, and his younger (4 year old) sister. I picked up some authentic FAMILY vibes. Billy can still be tender and sweet with his sister one minute and want to be far, far, far away from her drama the next. (Especially in the grocery store!)
I did make a little guess about the ending halfway through the novel, but I doubt young readers will pick up on the same clues.
It was just a joy to read this one.
Quotes:
“Can I use your markers?” Sal repeated. “Please?” Slatted sunlight striped her face. “I need to make a symphony card.” “What’s that?” Billy asked. He had never heard of a symphony card. “Well, I’m not sure,” said Sal. “But Mama’s doing one, too. It’s because Mr. Tooley died.”
April 2, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
Delighted to return to Billie's world and pick up where the first book left off. Readers get to celebrate Billie's eighth birthday with him and see his wish - for some excitement to happen. Almost immediately, some excitement does happen and one of their elderly neighbors dies. Billie struggles with worry that his wish caused this. I love the caring way his dad listens and interacts with him as they talk this out. From there, other interesting and unusual events take place as the family enjoys a typical summer.
Henkes writing style flows smoothly and mid-elementary level readers will follow the action and connect with the characters and their lives.
I appreciate that this family could be in any town and exists in an ordinary life setting. The struggles, joys and family relationships are relatable for elementary level readers. Adult readers will probably figure out why his mom is so tired all the time but the target audience will appreciate the surprise at the end. With the ending surprise and the writer himself saying he wasn't ready to say goodbye to Billy, I hope another story is coming soon.
Delighted to return to Billie's world and pick up where the first book left off. Readers get to celebrate Billie's eighth birthday with him and see his wish - for some excitement to happen. Almost immediately, some excitement does happen and one of their elderly neighbors dies. Billie struggles with worry that his wish caused this. I love the caring way his dad listens and interacts with him as they talk this out. From there, other interesting and unusual events take place as the family enjoys a typical summer.
Henkes writing style flows smoothly and mid-elementary level readers will follow the action and connect with the characters and their lives.
I appreciate that this family could be in any town and exists in an ordinary life setting. The struggles, joys and family relationships are relatable for elementary level readers. Adult readers will probably figure out why his mom is so tired all the time but the target audience will appreciate the surprise at the end. With the ending surprise and the writer himself saying he wasn't ready to say goodbye to Billy, I hope another story is coming soon.
Read
November 16, 2021School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 3 and up.
Award: Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, 2022-2023
A stand-alone companion to "The Year of Billy Miller," a Newbery Honor Book.
Personal Notes: Book may work as a "read along" for patron who is dyslexic.
Text Size: 13
Font: Century Schoolbook BT
Wide Margins with paragraph spacing under 4 inches.
Wide Line Spacing
Includes limited black-and-white illustrations
On his birthday, Billy Miller wishes for something exciting to happen. But he immediately regrets his wish when an ambulance rushes to his neighbor's house. Is Billy responsible Award-winning author Kevin Henkes delivers a short, funny, and emotionally complex novel complete with misplaced love letters, surprising critters, art projects, misguided tattoos, and another surprise for Billy and his family, maybe the best one yet! Illustrated throughout with black-and-white art which offers visual clues for readers and supports reading comprehension.
Subject: Wishes -- Juvenile fiction.
Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction.
Surprise -- Juvenile fiction.
Families -- Wisconsin -- Juvenile fiction.
Humorous stories -- Juvenile literature.
Award: Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, 2022-2023
A stand-alone companion to "The Year of Billy Miller," a Newbery Honor Book.
Personal Notes: Book may work as a "read along" for patron who is dyslexic.
Text Size: 13
Font: Century Schoolbook BT
Wide Margins with paragraph spacing under 4 inches.
Wide Line Spacing
Includes limited black-and-white illustrations
On his birthday, Billy Miller wishes for something exciting to happen. But he immediately regrets his wish when an ambulance rushes to his neighbor's house. Is Billy responsible Award-winning author Kevin Henkes delivers a short, funny, and emotionally complex novel complete with misplaced love letters, surprising critters, art projects, misguided tattoos, and another surprise for Billy and his family, maybe the best one yet! Illustrated throughout with black-and-white art which offers visual clues for readers and supports reading comprehension.
Subject: Wishes -- Juvenile fiction.
Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction.
Surprise -- Juvenile fiction.
Families -- Wisconsin -- Juvenile fiction.
Humorous stories -- Juvenile literature.
Read
November 7, 2021Billy Miller is back with Billy Miller Makes A Wish.
🥳
Billy’s turning eight when the story begins, but when he wishes for something exciting to happen he immediately wishes he hadn’t. Billy’s neighbor dies, a bat is found in the basement, his sister draws permanent marker all over herself and more drama occurs as Billy regrets his wish. When he finally gets some good news at the end, he ends up feeling better about his birthday wish.
🥳
YAWN. Like I’m really wondering why this MG book made it onto the Texas Bluebonnet list. I didn’t understand why The Year of Billy Miller was a Newbery honoree years ago either so maybe it’s me and I’m missing something. This is definitely for younger readers with big font, illustrations and lots of white space. You don’t have to have read the first novel to follow along with this one, as it’s able to stand on its own. Maybe being in middle school has jaded me to super young middle grade books but I would pass on this one, as you won’t be missing a thing.
2 ⭐️
🥳
Billy’s turning eight when the story begins, but when he wishes for something exciting to happen he immediately wishes he hadn’t. Billy’s neighbor dies, a bat is found in the basement, his sister draws permanent marker all over herself and more drama occurs as Billy regrets his wish. When he finally gets some good news at the end, he ends up feeling better about his birthday wish.
🥳
YAWN. Like I’m really wondering why this MG book made it onto the Texas Bluebonnet list. I didn’t understand why The Year of Billy Miller was a Newbery honoree years ago either so maybe it’s me and I’m missing something. This is definitely for younger readers with big font, illustrations and lots of white space. You don’t have to have read the first novel to follow along with this one, as it’s able to stand on its own. Maybe being in middle school has jaded me to super young middle grade books but I would pass on this one, as you won’t be missing a thing.
2 ⭐️
April 23, 2022
2022-23 Texas Bluebonnet Master List
What a sweet little book. I loved the first Billy Miller book a few years ago, and this one did not disappoint. Billy Miller has completed 2nd grade and is turning 8 as the book begins. He makes a wish when he blows out his candles for "something exciting" to happen. Many exciting things occur in Billy's world, at least to an 8 year-old's mind. One of the events is particularly upsetting to Billy, as he feels that he caused the death of an elderly neighbor with his wish. This novel is about a loving and understanding family- Mama, Papa, little sister Sal, Billy. When Papa goes off to Art Camp, more exciting events occur, culminating with one that will change their lives.
This quiet little book would be a great read-aloud for 2nd or 3rd grade classes. The traditional family structure may not be every child's experience, but they would surely identify with young Billy and his zany little sis, making a list of all of the "excitement" that they experience.
What a sweet little book. I loved the first Billy Miller book a few years ago, and this one did not disappoint. Billy Miller has completed 2nd grade and is turning 8 as the book begins. He makes a wish when he blows out his candles for "something exciting" to happen. Many exciting things occur in Billy's world, at least to an 8 year-old's mind. One of the events is particularly upsetting to Billy, as he feels that he caused the death of an elderly neighbor with his wish. This novel is about a loving and understanding family- Mama, Papa, little sister Sal, Billy. When Papa goes off to Art Camp, more exciting events occur, culminating with one that will change their lives.
This quiet little book would be a great read-aloud for 2nd or 3rd grade classes. The traditional family structure may not be every child's experience, but they would surely identify with young Billy and his zany little sis, making a list of all of the "excitement" that they experience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews