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betweentheshelves 's review for:
The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls
by James Bird
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Benjamin Waterfalls comes from a broken home, and the quickest fix he’s found for his life is to fill that emptiness with stuff he steals and then sells. But he’s been caught one too many times, and when he appears before a tough judge, his mother proposes sending him to “boot camp” at the Ojibwe reservation where they used to live.
Soon he is on his way to Grand Portage, MN, to live with his father – the man Benny hasn’t seen in years. Not only is “boot camp” not what he expects, but his rehabilitation seems to be in the hands of the tribal leader’s daughter, who wears a mask. Why? Finding the answer to this and so many other questions prove tougher than any military-style boot camp.
Thanks to Macmillan Children's and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! I've been on a bit of a middle grade kick lately, and this definitely fit the bill. This is my first James Bird book, but I'm definitely interested in reading more! He has a middle grade voice that's easy to read and fills caps in middle grade literature.
For the most part, this book was reflective. Looking at choices we make in life and how that takes us different places. There's a touch of magical realism in this that further emphasizes Benjamin's journey and works for the context of the story. And the setting! Bird pulled on a lot of Ojibwe traditions, making the story feel authentic.
There's some great character development in this as well. Readers will relate to Benny's journey, one where he realizes changes he needs to make in his life. While his struggles aren't easy, they are struggles that middle grade readers will be able to relate to on some level. However, it does feel a bit like the resolution was a little rushed. I think the ending could have been drawn out a little more.
All in all, if you're looking for a diverse, coming of age, middle grade story, this will definitely fit the bill!
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Definitely a relfective middle grade novel, looking at choices and how that relates to the path we take in life. Stay tuned for a full review to come!
Soon he is on his way to Grand Portage, MN, to live with his father – the man Benny hasn’t seen in years. Not only is “boot camp” not what he expects, but his rehabilitation seems to be in the hands of the tribal leader’s daughter, who wears a mask. Why? Finding the answer to this and so many other questions prove tougher than any military-style boot camp.
Thanks to Macmillan Children's and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! I've been on a bit of a middle grade kick lately, and this definitely fit the bill. This is my first James Bird book, but I'm definitely interested in reading more! He has a middle grade voice that's easy to read and fills caps in middle grade literature.
For the most part, this book was reflective. Looking at choices we make in life and how that takes us different places. There's a touch of magical realism in this that further emphasizes Benjamin's journey and works for the context of the story. And the setting! Bird pulled on a lot of Ojibwe traditions, making the story feel authentic.
There's some great character development in this as well. Readers will relate to Benny's journey, one where he realizes changes he needs to make in his life. While his struggles aren't easy, they are struggles that middle grade readers will be able to relate to on some level. However, it does feel a bit like the resolution was a little rushed. I think the ending could have been drawn out a little more.
All in all, if you're looking for a diverse, coming of age, middle grade story, this will definitely fit the bill!
-----
Definitely a relfective middle grade novel, looking at choices and how that relates to the path we take in life. Stay tuned for a full review to come!