FICTION

My Miserable Life

by F.L. BLOCK
illus. by Edward Hemingway. 192p. Holt. Jun. 2016. Tr $13.99. ISBN 9780805096286.
COPY ISBN
Gr 3–5—Ben Hunter, a fifth grader, is convinced that he is having a miserable life. His sister hates him, his mother won't let him eat sugar, his dog acts like it's possessed by a demon, and his best friend is taken by his worst enemy. As the story unfolds, readers see Ben overcome his various obstacles with the help of a caring teacher. The novel is told through Ben's voice, along with journal entries and his teacher's responses. Block allows readers to peer deep inside Ben's head, enabling them to truly understand and feel what he is going through. While very humorous, the narrative also touches on some tougher, more realistic issues that children face every day at school and at home. The language is straightforward and accessible.
VERDICT A solid additional purchase for larger middle grade collections, especially where readers are looking for a "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" read-alike with a bit more substance.
Reviewed by Danielle Fabrizio, Swanton Public Library, VT
Between a school bully, an overprotective mother, and a visiting over-the-top goth teenager, Ben is having a difficult fifth-grade year. The first-person narration doesn't always sound genuine, but the story treats Ben's misery with refreshing seriousness, even if some of its causes are funny. Handwritten portions of text and grayscale spot art provide visual variety that should attract reluctant readers.
 , Aug 01, 2016

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