The Benefits of Being an Octopus

 by Ann Braden

Libby audiobook 7 hours

read by Amy Melissa Bentley

Published: 2018

Genre: YA realistic fiction

"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?

This moving debut novel explores the cultural divides around class and the gun debate through the eyes of one girl, living on the edges of society, trying to find her way forward."

This book was heart breaking in its realism. Zoey's growth as a person is shown through her relationship with her friend Fuschia, with her communication with her mom, and with her dawning understanding of different perspectives as she sees the impact of people's assumptions about fellow trailer kid Silas. The characters are well-written and the vocal work was excellent. Zoey's care for younger siblings Bryce and Aurora made me think of other teens who are essentially raising their younger siblings. Just so sad. But the story has redemption, too! Braden is skilled and this was a very worthwhile book. It makes me want to do more for people who have less.