The Benefits of Being an Octopus

De: Ann Braden

Narrado por: Amy Melissa Bentley

Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there's Lenny, her mom's boyfriend - they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer.

At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. Her only friend, Fuchsia, has her own issues, and since they're in an entirely different world than the rich kids, it's best if no one notices them.

Zoey thinks how much easier everything would be if she were an octopus: eight arms to do eight things at once. Incredible camouflage ability and steady, unblinking vision. Powerful, protective defenses.

Unfortunately, she's not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in a new way: her mom's relationship with Lenny, Fuchsia's situation, and her own place in this town of people who think they're better than her. Can Zoey find the courage to speak up, even if it means risking the most stable home she's ever had?

©2018 Ann Braden (P)2019 Tantor

Great book with challenging subjects

Great book covering very difficult subjects. Definitely recommend for middle school students, not really appropriate for lower school students.

Great read

Can’t believe how this makes me connect to some of the students at our school

Narrator

Very nice storyline with happy ending, you learn a little about octopuses and a little about life. Very nice.

it is for the ages it's recommended to

It has a age rating which is a good thing it was just to simple

standing up for the right thing

Helping others, showing them how. Being a role model. Self improvement. Being a friend. life is not perfect, people are not perfect