Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden

Image: Tantor Audio

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden. Unabridged e-Audiobook, ~7 hours. Read by Amy Melissa Bentley. Tantor Audio, February, 2019. 

Middle Grade Monday features The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden. Seventh grader Zoey Albro's favorite animal is the octopus. Some qualities she admires are their strength, adaptability and ability to blend in and not be seen. She tries to do this every day, but it's kind of hard when your over-worked mother hasn't done the laundry and you're wearing dirty, old clothes, or when you've forgotten your homework yet again because you were trying to keep your three younger siblings from getting Lenny mad. She admires the ease with which her classmate, Matt, moves through the world- well-dressed, well-fed, probably well-loved and definitely not afraid of making the wrong move in Lenny's pristine trailer.

This coming-of-age novel is filled with heartbreak. Zoey is a bright girl with too much responsibility. But there's hope, especially when one of her teachers looks past the missing homework to understand her.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus was Ms. Braden's debut novel. It was named and NPR Best Book of 2018 and a Bank Street Best Book. The audiobook narration was well-paced and emotionally resonant.

November is Picture Book Month! Review: Latkes for Santa Claus by Janie Emaus

Image: Sky Pony Press

Latkes for Santa Claus by Janie Emaus. Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. unpgd. Sky Pony Press, October, 2020. 9781510759886. (Review of finished copy courtesy of the author.)

Anna emails Santa for the first time on her iPad. She informs him that she's celebrating Christmas for the first time with her new dad and stepbrother and thinks he might be tired of cookies, so she's planning on leaving him the best treat ever. The only problem is, she's not sure what. It doesn't help that Michael, her stepbrother assures her that his cookies are the best Santa treat ever. He also informs her that Santa doesn't answer emails.

At first, she zeroes in on matzo ball soup as the best, but Michael reminds her that, "Santa can't eat soup with his fingers."  When Anna imagines Santa attempting this, she realizes that matzo ball soup won't do. How about Aunt Bea's noodle kugel? That can't be eaten with fingers either. Tzimmes? Nope!

Finally, Anna realizes the perfect finger food! Her mom's potato latkes are the perfect treat for Santa. She adds them to Michael's plate of cookies. Not only is the plate empty on Christmas morning, but Anna receives an email from Santa!

Ah, the December dilemma. Thirty-five years ago, I married a Jewish man in a civil ceremony. He wasn't particularly religious and both of his older siblings married outside the religion. His parents were accepting and welcoming. I suggested that we choose the Jewish holidays over Christmas and Easter. I was not at all religious and didn't mind. My husband did. He adored Christmas. He wanted a tree and presents. He also wanted Hanukkah, so we merged the two holidays. Our tree doesn't go up until Christmas Eve and all our decorations are decidedly secular - Santa, snowmen, birds, and the like. Years when Hanukkah and Christmas overlap are challenging. We found our way. We also celebrated others and observed Shabbat in our own way. 

I would've loved to have had this book when my kids were small. The cheery, energetic illustrations are appealing, as is the rhyming refrain each time Anna imagines Santa handling the various foods. The recipes for sugar cookies and potato latkes are an added bonus! This is such a fun book and not just for families who merge the two holidays!