Livingston Parish Library discussion
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The Benefits of Being an Octopus
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Ann Braden writes books about kids struggling to find their voice amidst the realities of life. Ann’s debut middle grade novel The Benefits of Being an Octopus was listed as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2018. Ann is a former middle school teacher, the co-host of the children’s book podcast, “Lifelines: Books that Bridge the Divide,” and recently one of the co-organizers of #KidsNeedMentors.
About the book:
2019-2020 LYRC book, reading level 4.9 = 8 AR points
Some people can do their homework. Some people get to have crushes on boys. Some people have other things they’ve got to do.
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.
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.
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.
Mod
1) What characteristics of an octopus does Zoey see as important?
2) How does imagining she’s like an octopus affect the decisions Zoey makes?
3) How might Silas’s superpower of going for entire school days without talking help him?
4) Why is Zoey so surprised when Matt responds to her comment about the Patriots?
5) How does Zoey change as she watches the other student present their topics for the animal debate?
6) After the interaction with the toaster why is Zoey so adamant that she is not the same as her mom?
7) On page 68, Zoey realizes: “This isn’t some crush on a boy. This is me wanting to feel the way he does. Strong. Confident. Like no one would even think about messing with me. Too bad that’s even more impossible.” Why do you think that feels so impossible to Zoey?
8) What ultimately convinces Zoey to try the after school debate club?
9) Describe Zoey’s mom’s reaction to the form Zoey hands her in the Pizza Pit bathroom. Discuss why she might have reacted that way.
10) Why do you think Zoey didn’t take Fuchsia’s complaints seriously before?
11) What does Zoey assume Fuchsia is thinking when she comes into the bedroom as Zoey is about to start telling Bryce and Aurora a story?
12) How did Zoey change over the course of the book?
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Jan 11, 2020 Stephen rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2020-lyrc-ltrc
7th Grade Zoey is a boss! But it really seems that life would be easier if she were an Octopus.
With eight arms she could feed and hold her baby brother, while fixing breakfast for her 4 and 5 year old younger siblings, while finishing her homework all at the same time.
With a large unblinking Octopus eye, she could always see a situation for what it was before it had the chance to become dangerous.
With the ability to disappear in a cloud of ink she’d never have to worry about getting caught up in her mother’s abusive relationships, or her classmates bullying, or in the most terrifying situation of all, an unspeakable act of school violence.
But Zoey isn’t an Octopus, and she’ll just have to learn that being herself could be all that she’ll ever need to be and more.
Mod
“But you do have a choice. You make choices every day, and maybe you can't see how they could affect your future, but they do.”
― Ann Braden, The Benefits of Being an Octopus
The benefits of being an octopus By: Ann Braden.
Discussion questions and bio will be posted throughout the months of May and June. Thoughts and comments about the book may be posted at any time.