BenBee and the Teacher Griefer
By K. A. Holt
There was far more substance to this book that the title and format implies. BenBee along with a small group of “divergent learners” are stuck in summer school preparing for the FRAAT (aka FART) state exam retake. They are all reluctant readers and dread reading aloud as well as the upcoming state exam retake. Each chapter is told from a different character’s point of view and they each have a variety of formats--prose, chat, paragraphs, cartoons, etc. I wish the character names had been more varied because even I struggled to keep the characters straight because of their similar names and this may frustrate some readers. This formatting will appeal to reluctant readers and may grab some graphic novel fans.
Each character is struggling with parent pressure, learning disabilities, family deaths, etc. With the help of their understanding and amazing teacher, Mrs. J, they become friends and learn to appreciate their “divergent” needs. This will appeal to many of my students who see themselves as “different” and who enjoy quick, but meaningful reads.
4 Stars
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