The Year of Billy Miller - by Kevin Henkes

About the Book

Seven-year-old Billy Miller starts second grade with a bump on his head and a lot of worries, but by the end of the year he has developed good relationships with his teacher, his little sister, and his parents and learned many important lessons.

Book Synopsis

Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller!

Award-winning, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship, sibling rivalry, and elementary school.

The Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevin Henkes and is perfect for fans of the Ramona books; Frindle, by Andrew Clements; and the Clementine series.

The New York Times declared: "Henkes's delightful story is restrained and vivid . . . forgoing the overdramatic or zany, it shows the substance, warmth and adaptability of beautifully common family love." When Billy Miller has a mishap at the statue of the Jolly Green Giant at the end of summer vacation, he ends up with a big lump on his head. What a way to start second grade!

As the year goes by, though, Billy figures out how to navigate elementary school, how to appreciate his little sister, and how to be a more grown up and responsible member of the family and a help to his busy working mom and stay-at-home dad.

Newbery Honor author and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes delivers a short, satisfying, laugh-out-loud-funny school and family story that features a diorama homework assignment, a school poetry slam, cancelled sleepovers, and epic sibling temper tantrums. This is a perfect short novel for the early elementary grades.

Plus don't miss the follow-up, Billy Miller Makes a Wish!

From the Back Cover

It was a blustery day. The flag on the nearby pole snapped in the wind. Billy raced ahead of his family--up the steps to the lookout platform. As he stood between the Giant's enormous feet, a sudden gust lifted his cap from his head. His cap sailed away. Without thinking, Billy stepped onto the middle rung of the guardrail, leaned over, and reached as far as he could. . . .

Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
Horn Book Fanfare Honor List
Kirkus Best Books of the Year
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Review Quotes

"Billy Miller's second-grade year is quietly spectacular in a wonderfully ordinary way. . . . Henkes offers . . . a sense that experiences don't have to be extraordinary to be important and dramatic. . . . Sweetly low-key and totally accessible." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Henkes's delightful story is restrained and vivid in in just this way: forgoing the overdramatic or zany, it shows the substance, warmth and adaptability of beautifully common family love." -- New York Times

"A vivid yet secure portrait of a boy coming into his confidence . . . [with] a comfortable rhythm perfectly suited to young readers. . . . Nuanced and human." -- Horn Book (starred review)

"Funny and often poignant . . . Billy himself might have been daunted by a book with more than 200 pages, but eager young readers will find this a great first chapter book to share or read solo." -- School Library Journal (starred review)

"A story with a lot of heart." -- Booklist

"Smartly attuned to emerging readers, and its warmth, relatable situations, and sympathetic hero give it broad appeal." -- Publishers Weekly

"Thoughtful kids able to tackle a book of this length will enjoy reading this on their own, but it would also make a fine choice for reading aloud in the classroom or home." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books