The benefits of being an octopus

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Summary

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?

Published Reviews

Booklist Review: "Seventh-grader Zoey doesn't think she's as good as other kids at school who have nice things. She also doesn't have the inclination to do homework because she's too busy taking care of her siblings Bryce (four), Aurora (three), and baby Hector all offspring of different fathers. They and their mother live in a trailer with Mom's fussy bully of a boyfriend, Lenny, and his cantankerous father. When Zoey's social-studies teacher makes her join the school debate club, she begins to see situations with fresh eyes and from both sides an ability she courageously applies to the gun debate after a school lockdown occurs. She also comes to understand that instead of succumbing to Lenny's intimidation, Zoey's mother has choices, including moving out and getting a protection order. This engrossing debut novel, narrated by the resourceful Zoey, takes the reader on her journey from the dire side of the class divide to a life of cautious hope as she learns the world is big enough for choices, actions, and results.--Jeanne Fredriksen Copyright 2018 Booklist"
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

Additional Information

Subjects	Siblings Juvenile fiction Debates and debating Juvenile fiction Middle schools Juvenile fiction Schools Juvenile fiction Social classes Juvenile fiction Family problems Juvenile fiction Brothers and sisters Fiction Debates and debating Fiction Middle schools Fiction Schools Fiction Social classes Fiction Family problems Fiction Juvenile Literature Juvenile Fiction Audiobooks.
Publisher	[Place of publication not identified] :Tantor Media, Inc.,2019 Tantor Media, Inc.2019
Edition	Unabridged.
Contributors	Bentley, Amy Melissa. OverDrive, Inc.
Participants/Performers	Read by Amy Melissa Bentley.
Language	English
System Details	Mode of access: World Wide Web. Format: OverDrive Listen Format: OverDrive MP3 Audiobook Requires OverDrive app 3.0 (Windows) / 1.0 (Mac) / 1.0 (Windows Mobile)
Description	1 audio file : digital
ISBN	9781541468009 9781541468009
Other	Classic View