Benbee and the Teacher Griefer: The Kids Under the Stairs by Holt, K. a.

From the author of Rhyme Schemer, House Arrest, and Knockout!

The Kids Under the Stairs: BenBee and the Teacher Griefer is a funny, clever novel-in-verse series about Ben Bellows--who failed the Language Arts section of the Florida State test--and three classmates who get stuck in a summer school class.

But these kids aren't dumb--they're divergent thinkers, as Ms. J tells them: they simply approach things in a different way than traditional school demands.

- Each chapter is told through the perspective of one of the four students, who each write in a different style (art, verse, stream of consciousness).
- Celebrates different types of intelligence
- A heartwarming, laugh-out-loud novel-in-verse

Soon, the kids win over Ms. J with their passion for Sandbox, a Minecraft-type game. The kids make a deal with Ms. J: every minute they spend reading aloud equals one minute they get to play Sandbox in class. But when the administration finds about this unorthodox method of teaching, Ben B. and his buds have to band together to save their teacher's job--and their own academic future.

The first in a series of complementary storylines, this is an honest, heartfelt book about friendship, videogames, and learning to love yourself.

- Features a distinct and engaging cast of characters
- Encourages even the most reluctant reader to embrace their own "divergent" self
- Perfect for parents of kids age 10 and up who love Minecraft, educators and librarians, middle grade readers, new readers of poetry, and fans of videogames
- Add it to the shelf with books like Ghost by Jason Reynolds, Patina by Jason Reynolds, and Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan.

Author: K. a. Holt
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 09/22/2020
Pages: 344
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.38lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.60w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781452182513
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.7
Point Value: 5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 510545 / Benbee and the Teacher Griefer


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2020
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2020 pg. 53

About the Author
K. A. Holt is the author of Redwood & Ponytail, House Arrest, Knockout, Rhyme Schemer and several other books for young people. She lives in Austin, Texas.