Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Illness, smoking, divorce dominate this rather sad story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE DEATH AND LIFE OF BENNY BROOKS: SORT OF A MEMOIR, Benny Brooks is lying on the grass, looking at the clouds and imagining what it would like to be dead, when his father calls him inside for dinner. Dinner looks like undercooked chicken and slimy mac and cheese when his dad cooks, but Benny's mom isn't there to cook because she has left the family. Benny's having trouble sleeping, can't focus at school, and is starting to feel the pressure build up inside of him. Will he be able to manage the stress he's feeling while everything he's known falls apart? Or will he learn how to cope?
Is It Any Good?
A fifth-grader deals with divorce and lung cancer in this downbeat, illustrated story. According to veteran author and illustrator, Ethan Long, The Death and Life of Benny Brooks: Sort of a Memoir reflects a difficult period of time in his own life while growing up in the 1970's. Parents might recall the incessant smoking and corporal punishment that was considered normal back then. Though illustrated in a cartoonish manner, this story contains some very tough moments (a character coughs up blood; there is violence in the home). There are lots of talking points for parents to break down if their kids are reading this one. Yes, kids did get spanked and paddled at school. And no, we're not going to bring that practice back. At times, this story feels brutal in a way that can be jarring, so it's not recommended for very sensitive readers. Readers going through rough times of their own, though, are likely to take comfort in Benny's relatable and ultimately hopeful progress toward maturity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about communication in The Death and Life of Benny Brooks: Sort of a Memoir. What are some examples of appropriate ways to communicate anger? How does Benny learn to express his anger more constructively over time?
When Benny loses his temper, he sometimes hits or pushes kids, and gets in trouble. How can a story like this help kids learn about self-control?
The main character feels gratitude when he realizes his needs have been taken seriously. Has a wave of gratitude ever take you by surprise? What happened?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Ethan Long
- Genre : Family Life
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Gratitude , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Christy Ottaviano Books
- Publication date : October 3, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 14
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : December 3, 2025
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