Oh, Sal: A Humorous Middle Grade Story About a Sister, Family Warmth, and Holiday Celebration for Children (Ages 8-12)

by Kevin Henkes

“Delightfully superb.”— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Henkes is a master.”— The Horn Book (starred review) “Captivating. ”— Booklist (starred review) A stand-alone companion to two-time Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes’s award-winning, bestselling, and acclaimed  The Year of Billy Miller  and  Billy Miller Makes a Wish . This short, humorous, and accessible novel for newly independent readers stars Billy’s younger sister, Sal, and chronicles an eventful holiday season at the Miller house. Oh, Sal  is illustrated in black-and-white throughout by the author, and is perfect for fans of Ramona, Ivy + Bean, and Dory Fantasmagory. The Miller family is celebrating its first holiday with the new baby. Billy is excited that Uncle Jake is visiting, but nothing about this holiday season is making Billy’s little sister Sal happy. The baby is a noisy nuisance and hogging all of Mama’s attention. Plus, the baby doesn’t even have a name yet. To make matters worse, Sal lost the very best gift that Santa gave her! Will Sal find her present? Will the Millers find a name for the baby? Will Billy always be an annoying big brother? The holiday season (and life with the Millers) is full of surprises—and warmth, kindness, family, celebration, and love—in the hands of award-winning author Kevin Henkes. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white art by the author,  Oh, Sal  is an excellent choice for early elementary grades, as well as a terrific family and classroom read-aloud for any time of the year. A stand-alone companion to  The Year of Billy   Miller  (a Newbery Honor Book) and  Billy Miller Makes a Wish . 

Genres: Middle Grade, Family, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Juvenile

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2022

About the author

Kevin 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.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Sal. ❤ your story. It's Christmas time in the Miller household and 4-year-old Sal is struggling with having a new baby sister. She has a new set of days-of-the-week underwear with flowers embroidered on them. They are her newest treasure and she keeps them under the Christmas tree. Poppy is missing and Sal is devastated. Can she find the missing undies without Billy or her uncle finding out? It would be so embarrassing if they knew. Such a lovely story with a satisfying ending. Kevin Henkes has done it again.

Thank you to Greenwillow Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book about a four year old girl named Sal! It's Christmas time and Sal has a whole lot of things going on! Her big brother, Billy annoys her, her Uncle Jake teases her ( only Sal is too little understand that's his way of showing affection) ,her baby sister doesn't have a name yet but worst of all she can't find her very special present from Santa!!! Oh, Sal, isn't having a good Christmas 🥲. Will she ever find her special gift & when will the baby get a name?? Too much for Sal.
This is a great book for parents to introduce a new baby to their siblings and show them that all of the children are special in their own way!! 💕

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am ashamed to admit that I have never read a Kevin Henkes chapter book in my life before now. Turns out I'm gonna have to read them all b/c my dude gets inside the emotional life of a 4 year old child with basically unimaginable depth. Kids this age are usually dismissed as 'preschoolers', 'littles', 'extensions of their parents' or 'people with a lot to learn about life through my amazing picture book'.

Instead, Sal's rich inner life is portrayed as totally valid and important. She grieves a loss and deals with big events in her family. She's cried every day since Christmas and it's almost New Years. She doesn't want to be humiliated. She wants to feel special sometimes. Who can relate??

I love that this is going to be available for independent readers who are going to still have very strong memories of when they were four and a chance to reminisce and reflect on how far they have already come.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Billy's little sister, Sal. Big adventures and a new baby sister.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Sal was upset--more than upset--and, surprisingly, it didn't just have to do with the new baby.

Premise/plot: Oh, Sal is a companion novel to The Year of Billy Miller and Billy Miller Makes a Wish. Billy Miller has a four year old sister named Sal. Her story is set during the last week of December. (Christmas is over, but, but the novelty of the presents is not.) On this fateful not-so-great day, Sal is troubled by a couple of things a) the new baby (still nameless) is getting ALL the attention, b) her FAVORITE, FAVORITE, FAVORITE pair of underwear is completely missing c) her Uncle Jake keeps teasing/annoying her.

So one of Sal's Christmas present was a package of days of the week underwear. Her favorite pair is WEDNESDAY. Wednesday has a POPPY flower on it. She must find POPPY and so the search is on...but it isn't easy for everyone to drop everything and start looking for missing underwear. Especially if one is hoping not to be teased by the visiting Uncle Jake.

My thoughts: This one may sound a little odd or absurd. I mean why should readers care about Sal's terrible, horrible day, especially when with a little perspective--which most readers will have--that her bad day isn't all that bad in the great scheme of things. But the narrative works. Or at least it worked for me. Sal was a character that was easy to relate to. And sometimes it's the little things that can seem so BIG. The whole book felt like it would be a story passed down and repeated again, again. Sal most likely won't remember this--not really. But the stories her family tells about this day, well, she'll definitely be hearing about it for years--decades. And there's something super realistic and authentic about that.

This is the third book to star the Miller family. I love, love, love, love this family. It was just delightful to spend time with them again. SAL was a character that I just loved so much. I have been Sal.

Quotes:

Sal cried so hard her throat felt scraped. She was exhausted. The minutes seemed like hours. How long had she been miserable in her room? Shouldn't someone have come to check on her? Did no one in the whole entire world care about her anymore?

She felt so grown-up, she pretended she was a teacher and then the president.

That would be her wish--to make it through the entire day without crying.

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving the Miller family 💜💜💜💜💜

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a delightful companion to other books about the Miller family, this time told from little sister Sal’s point of view. Many readers will relate to welcoming home a new sibling, and the story’s length is a good fit for younger advanced readers.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore Kevin Henkes; I really do. Julius, the Baby of the World is one of my favorite books of all time — not just picture books, not just children’s books, all books. He’s won the Newbery Medal, won the Newbery Honor twice and was runner-up to a Caldecott Medal, for heavens’ sake! But somehow, as Sal Miller says in the book, the bell wasn’t ringing for me.

Four-year-old Sal has an 8-year-old annoying brother and a brand-new baby sister. And she’s not happy about either; nor is she happy with her cheery Uncle Jake visiting from California. She thinks herself forgotten and the most miserable girl in Wisconsin. This chapter book explores coming to terms with changes, especially changes in one’s family. But had I not know it was Henkes’ work, I never would have guessed. The characters in his rodent picture books may sometimes be self-absorbed, unreasonable or jealous, but they’re never ho-hum. Sal is.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Greenwillow Books and HarperCollins Children’s Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Misti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four-year-old Sal has cried every day this week. Her new baby sister is taking up all of her parents' attention, plus she's almost a week old and still doesn't have a name! Uncle Jake is visiting, and he calls her Salamander, which she does not like. Worst, she's lost her favorite Christmas present from Santa!

This brief, heartwarming story takes place over the course of just over a day. Sal's concerns feel weighty, an accurate portrayal of childhood problems, and Sal's emotions are given their full range. Henkes has a deep remembrance and understanding of what it's like to be a kid, as he's proven in his earlier books. I'm not sure of the audience for this one, but it's a lovely little slice of life.

[britton · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly, i read this book for my child development class because I am an education major in college. the point of us reading it was to show the development and inner thoughts of a young child, and how their visions might be skewed because of their brain development. overall, i thought this book did a brilliant job of showing how Sal was feeling in different types of scenarios, and i think this would be a good book to be a read aloud maybe to a first grade class.
the only reason i gave it 3 stars is because a) i would never have read it unless i had to and b) it was kind of a struggle to get through even though it is legit a children’s book 🤭

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story from the Sal's perspective in the Billy Miller family. As usual a well-done beginning chapter book that young readers will enjoy. I love how Sal's personal struggles mirror her search for her lost pair of favorite underwear. Humor, warmth, and family positivity make this a great choice for new readers ages 6-9.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun beginner chapter book about family dynamics, embracing a new member of the family, impressions and favorites.

[Conor Donadio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. I will 100% read this to my kin, it demonstrates subtly growing your own awareness of emotional regulation .

[Skitzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exquisite book by the fabulous Kevin Henkes. He knows a lot about 4 year olds.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Kevin Henkes! Oh, Sal is a perfect winter read-aloud for preschoolers and a terrific book for young readers to enjoy on their own. Sal is a wonderful main character, the story is sweet (without being TOO much), and the adults are kind and caring.

(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

[Checkthebook · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for us. If the story explored Sal's jealousy of her new baby, I could see it. But the jealousy is overdone, the uncle's teasing is cruel, and the plot focuses on Sal's underwear in an untznius way.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Henkes knows how to get into the heart of family. After getting to know Billy Miller, we now have a story novel about four year old sister Sal. Sal received from Santa a box of little girl underwear… one for each day of the week and each with a different flower. Her favorite is the orange poppy with the name stitched in silver. But now poppy is missing. Daddy, mama and uncle Jake all search for poppy but to no avail. Sal silently sheds tears over her beloved new unders. In the meantime, the new baby, yet unnamed has found her way into the Miller family life. Will she be named Beatrice, or Elizabeth after a grandmother?
The story seems to take place in one day just after Christmas where everyone is relaxed and happy, except Sal.
Will the mystery of the beloved poppy underwear be solved and will baby get a name.
This us a precious story filled with heart.
Thank you Mr. Henkes for keeping the Miller family going through your excellent writing!

[Cat]

Poor Sal! She's tapped between an older brother who does important stuff like homework, and a new nameless baby sister who everyone is oooing and ahhhing over. She used to be the baby and now she's been crying daily for a week AND she's lost her brand new favorite Christmas presant from Santa underpants!! Seriously- what more could happen to her! Kids, probably middle ones, are going to strongly relate to, and enjoy this early fiction story. I laughed all the way throuh it, so- heads up, parents! Read this to yourselves for a hardty laugh before reading to the kiddo! Your kiddo will sympathise with the character and will likely expect you to, too.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I love Kevin Henkes' books! I recommended them to my young readers when I worked at a library. This one is a winner, too!
Make a good gift for a little in this position.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Sal. (Is there another way to start a review of this book? I can't think of one.)

What a sweet and delightful story about all of the trials and tribulations of being 4 in a loving home with an annoying older brother and a brand new baby.

Henkes' chapter books are just killing it by offering two of the most requested things at my library: longer chapter books for young readers reading above grade level (the Billy Miller books) and chapter books that are suitable to be read aloud to preschoolers (this book).

The stakes in here are relatively low, but are exactly the things that are tough for a 4 year old, so for kids who don't want stressful stories with a lot of conflict, this is perfect. Very gentle conflict that every child will understand.

Lovely. I will definitely be recommending this book to a lot of families!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as in the rest of the Billy Miller series, Henkes gets the voice right of a nervous child worrying about trivial things that are very important to her, and because the whole story is set over the course of a single day, there is plenty of room to explore emotions. While not as strong as the Newbery Honor-winning first book in the series, fans of the Millers will welcome this new addition.

However, I am very confused about why the publisher listed the target age as grades 3-7 on the ARC. I don't think a twelve-year-old would be very interested in a four-year-old's search for her underwear. I think strong second grade readers could handle this, and thematically, it works only up to fourth grade at the oldest.

[Sarahs Reads ToKids · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoyed The Year of Billy Miller or Billy Miller Makes a Wish then I think you are going to enjoy Oh, Sal. The baby has arrived and so has Uncle Jake. The house is full and the whole family is together. But of course it’s not peaceful. Sal is struggling with going from the youngest child to the middle child. And it’s a rough transition. But the family always works it out in the end.

This is a stand alone story in this series. More parts of the story would makes since if you have read the other two books but you don’t have to read those books in order to enjoy this story. Also if you have a younger reader who has been listening along to the Billy Miller stories, they might enjoy this one too. We found this story to be really cute.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it).

As another reviewer said, Henkes did a great job of getting into the mind of a 4 year old. Plus his writing is just great! The book centers around something that many kids can relate to, having a new baby sibling.

My biggest complaint is that I'm not sure what the audience for this book is. I remember in my children's literature class in grad school, we learned that kids typically gravitate to books where the main characters is 2ish years older than them. However, this book is about a 4 year old and would probably be on the reading level of a 6/7 year old. Not sure how much they would enjoy reading about someone "so much younger" than them.

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

If one is familiar with Henkes' Billy Miller books, then you will know that Sal is Billy's younger sister, who has just become a middle child with the Miller's having a new baby. Sal is struggling with her baby sister and her older brother getting all the attention, and she cannot find her favorite pair of underpants that she just got for Christmas. But by story's end Sal is able to solve the mystery of her missing underpants and coming to understand what it means to be a big sister. Charming realistic fictions story for kids ages 7 to 10 years old who like realistic family stories. Would also make for a good bedtime read aloud.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series feels like an heir to Beverly Cleary’s books! They focus on the kids and what sort of things are important to them. Things that might not make sense to grownups but are very important to them. Sal is 4 years old and now a big sister. Since her big brother Billy is 8, she’s the middle child and not too happy about that. Sal is in love with her set of seven decorated underwear, each with a day of the week and a flower on it. Her favorite is Poppy. But then Poppy goes missing! What a disaster! And what and when ARE they going to name the new baby???? I liked this a great deal but I can’t say I loved it. Not sure why, so I might add a star if I can think of a reason.

[Amy Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Sal is the 3rd book in the Billy Miller series by Kevin Henkes. It follows Billy’s little sister Sal as she processes the birth of her baby sister and her becoming the middle child. She struggles with feeling like she has been forgotten and tries to find her place in her family. I read this with my 6 and 10 year old daughters. My 10 year old had read the other Billy Miller books but my 6 year old hadn’t. While this is a series book it is also a stand alone. Both daughters loved it and I enjoyed reading it to them.

[Susan Dove Lempke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Henkes writes with sensitivity and precise observation about four-year-old Sal, who has become a big sister and a middle child. Sal's problems are both small (her favorite underpants are missing) and enormous (adjusting to a new baby and the visiting Uncle Jack), but Henkes manages to convey her feelings without making her annoying. I especially like the positive portrayal of a beloved new member of the family requiring nursing and lots of care, as Sal ends up playing a key role in helping her mother make a very important decision.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Oh, Sal' with story and illustrations by Kevin Henkes is a standalone companion to two books about Billy Miller.

Billy Miller's little sister Sal is not sure about the new baby in the house. She's also sad because she lost her favorite Christmas present that Santa brought her. When Uncle Jake shows up, it's more than she can bear and the tears are continual. Sal has the middle child blues.

This was a sweet story about a young child with problems that she can't seem to articulate and loving parents who know exactly what to do.

[Lisa Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this author! Even better he lives in Wisconsin. ON WISCONSIN!
The cover of the book and then being familiar with this author’s writing is why I requested thus book. It did not disappoint. There are changes in lives of family members and we all have to learn to adjust. That is what Sal had to do when a baby was born into the family. It showed the different ways everyone one adjusted and how to also celebrate a holiday. Growing up can be tough. sal showed maturity and worked through the changes.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, and I love Kevin Henkes.
But, it's told from a four year old (Sal)'s point of view.
The dialogue, internal thinking, and course of action taken by Sal are way beyond what four year olds can do. If you ignore the four year old part and pretend that Sal is a little older, it works much better.
(My twin nieces are four years old, and I'd say they're advanced... And they can't think, let alone talk with such deep thought)....

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books, through NetGalley.
Henkes offers a look into one day in the Miller's family life from Sal's viewpoint - Billy's little sister gets her own book. Readers join them right after Christmas and after the baby is born. Sal shares about her little sister, her big brother, Billy, her parents, and her Uncle Jake. She is struggling as she feels like the baby gets so much of the attention. The novelty of a baby sister has partially worn off as the story opens. By the end, Sal realizes how important she is to her family and how much she loves all of them.
Kevin Henkes has a gift for writing stories younger readers relate to. It was a delight to return to this family and see how their life continued after the baby' birth.