The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden

Ann lives in southern Vermont with her husband, two children, and two insatiable cats named Boomer and Justice. Ann is a former middle school teacher and the co-host of the children’s book podcast, “Lifelines: Books that Bridge the Divide,” along with Pakistani American author Saadia Faruqi. She also founded the Local Love Brigade, which now has chapters all over the country sending love postcards to those who are facing hate. Ann founded GunSenseVT, a grassroots group focused on championing the common ground on the issue of guns in Vermont, which recently helped pass landmark gun violence prevention legislation.

It is a must have in the middle-grade classroom and school libraries. I received an ebook copy of THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS via netgalley. Can Zoey find the courage to speak up, even if it means risking the most stable home she's ever had?Īnn Braden writes books about kids struggling to find their voice amidst the realities of life. The Benefits of Being An Octopus By Ann Braden September 4, 2018. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in a new way. Unfortunately, she's not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Incredible camouflage ability and steady, unblinking vision.

Zoey thinks how much easier everything would be if she were an octopus: eight arms to do eight things at once. At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. At least there's Lenny, her mom's boyfriend―they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer. 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. Some people have other things they've got to do.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden