Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kind boy faces change in family, friends in relatable tales.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE LIFE OF TY, 7-year-old Ty is experiencing things many young readers can relate to: a new baby sister who takes up his parents' time and energy, older siblings, funky friend dynamics at school, and a best friend who is in (and then out of) the hospital because he has leukemia. Ty tries to do the right thing, but sometimes his frustration makes him do things he knows he shouldn't, like sneak around behind his parents' back, or wander off during a school field trip. But Ty is also very aware of his feelings, and is able to talk about them.
Is It Any Good?
The pacing in The Life of Ty is a little slow, but the writing is good, giving readers a vocabulary boost here and there, and Ty's emotions are completely relatable. Ty shows remarkable maturity when he apologizes to friends for acting badly, or for a play date that didn't go well. And he has a good read on other kids' emotions, knowing how to handle a bullying kid or an attention hog. As for family role models, it doesn't get much better than the open, honest, loving, playful, and heartfelt relationships in Ty's family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the new baby changes everyone's world in The Life of Ty. How does Ty feel about Maggie? Why do his feelings change from moment to moment? Have you ever felt that way about a sibling or someone who takes up people's time?
Think about the kids in Ty's classroom. Who are they most like in your classroom, and why? Who's most like you?
What books about school friends have you read lately?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jed Henry
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Puffin Books
- Publication date : February 6, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 6 - 9
- Number of pages : 128
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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