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Kevin Henkes

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The Year of Billy Miller: A Newbery Honor Award Winner (A Miller Family Story) Kindle Edition

by Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 734 ratings

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Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller!

Award-winning, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship, sibling rivalry, and elementary school.

The Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevin Henkes and is perfect for fans of the Ramona books; Frindle, by Andrew Clements; and the Clementine series.

The New York Times declared: "Henkes's delightful story is restrained and vivid . . . forgoing the overdramatic or zany, it shows the substance, warmth and adaptability of beautifully common family love." When Billy Miller has a mishap at the statue of the Jolly Green Giant at the end of summer vacation, he ends up with a big lump on his head. What a way to start second grade!

As the year goes by, though, Billy figures out how to navigate elementary school, how to appreciate his little sister, and how to be a more grown up and responsible member of the family and a help to his busy working mom and stay-at-home dad.

Newbery Honor author and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes delivers a short, satisfying, laugh-out-loud-funny school and family story that features a diorama homework assignment, a school poetry slam, cancelled sleepovers, and epic sibling temper tantrums. This is a perfect short novel for the early elementary grades.

Plus don't miss the follow-up, Billy Miller Makes a Wish!

Reading age

7 - 8 years
From customers
Length

245
Pages
Language

EN
English
Grade level

3 - 7
Lexile measure

620L
Publisher

Greenwillow Books
Publication date

2013
September 17
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ISBN-13

978-0062268143
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-The beginning of a new school year brings anxious moments for Billy Miller, a typical second grader at Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary School in a small Wisconsin town. His new teacher, Ms. Silver, uses chopsticks to hold her hair in place and know-it-all Emma Sparks is unfortunately one of his desk mates. Just as a school year is divided into quarters, the book is divided into four parts-"Teacher," "Father," "Sister," and "Mother"-each offering a new perspective on Billy's personality and development through his interactions with these well-developed characters. He begins the school year with a lump on his head from a family-vacation incident and navigates glitter homework fiascos, canceled sleepover plans, and sibling annoyances as readers see the year unfold through funny and often poignant situations. Billy himself might have been daunted by a book with more than 200 pages, but eager young readers will find this a great first chapter book to share or read solo.-Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OHα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Billy Miller is starting second grade, and though his teacher, Mrs. Silver, tells the class it is the Year of the Rabbit, Billy’s father tells him it will be the Year of Billy Miller. Billy isn’t sure. He’s even more worried when he gets off on the wrong foot his first day, but as the months go on, Billy begins to shine. There are some wonderful moments here: when Billy brings his teacher silver items—coins, a paper clip, a little rabbit—to show her he’s a nice boy; when he agonizes over how to tell his father that Papa is a babyish name; and a triumphant ending when poetry and self-confidence intertwine. But the school year also seems rushed, and some intriguing characters, like the annoying Emma, are barely touched. Harkening back to writers of an earlier era, like Eleanor Estes, Henkes never compromises his language. Words like replicated, diligently, and frustrated appear—and that’s on just one page. Since this is so age specific, older readers might pass it by. That would be too bad, because this is a story with a lot of heart and sweet insights into growing up. Illustrations unseen. High-Demand Backstory: There’s no more versatile producer of children’s books working today than Henkes. Libraries, with great justification, are always interested in what he’s up to now. Grades 3-7. --Ilene Cooper --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Review

“Billy Miller’s second-grade year is quietly spectacular in a wonderfully ordinary way. . . . Henkes offers . . . a sense that experiences don’t have to be extraordinary to be important and dramatic. . . . Sweetly low-key and totally accessible.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Henkes’s delightful story is restrained and vivid in in just this way: forgoing the overdramatic or zany, it shows the substance, warmth and adaptability of beautifully common family love.” — New York Times

“A vivid yet secure portrait of a boy coming into his confidence . . . [with] a comfortable rhythm perfectly suited to young readers. . . . Nuanced and human.” — Horn Book (starred review)

“Funny and often poignant . . . Billy himself might have been daunted by a book with more than 200 pages, but eager young readers will find this a great first chapter book to share or read solo.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“A story with a lot of heart.” — Booklist

“Smartly attuned to emerging readers, and its warmth, relatable situations, and sympathetic hero give it broad appeal.” — Publishers Weekly

“Thoughtful kids able to tackle a book of this length will enjoy reading this on their own, but it would also make a fine choice for reading aloud in the classroom or home.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

It was a blustery day. The flag on the nearby pole snapped in the wind. Billy raced ahead of his family—up the steps to the lookout platform. As he stood between the Giant's enormous feet, a sudden gust lifted his cap from his head. His cap sailed away. Without thinking, Billy stepped onto the middle rung of the guardrail, leaned over, and reached as far as he could. . . .

Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
Horn Book Fanfare Honor List
Kirkus Best Books of the Year
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; two Newbery Honors, one for Olive’s Ocean and one for The Year of Billy Miller;and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include The World and Everything In It; A House; A Parade of Elephants; Chrysanthemum; and the beloved Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BATNMCI
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greenwillow Books; Reprint edition (September 17, 2013)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 17, 2013
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1860 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 245 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #517,475 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #456 in Children's Self-Esteem & Self-Respect
- #673 in Children's Issues in School Books
- #966 in Read & Listen for $14.99 or Less

Customer Reviews:
4.5 734 ratings

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Kevin Henkes

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Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of close to fifty critically acclaimed and award-winning picture books, beginning readers, and novels. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon in 2005. Kevin Henkes is also the creator of a number of picture books featuring his mouse characters, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Lilly’s Big Day and Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the beloved Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. His most recent mouse character, Penny, was introduced in Penny and Her Song (2012); her story continued in Penny and Her Doll and Penny and Her Marble (a Geisel Honor Book). Bruce Handy, in a New York Times Book Review piece about A Good Day, wrote, “It should be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius.” Kevin Henkes received two Newbery Honors for novels—one for his newest novel for young readers, The Year of Billy Miller, and the other for Olive’s Ocean. Also among his fiction for older readers are the novels Junonia, Bird Lake Moon, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon. He lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin. You can visit him online at www.kevinhenkes.com.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

734 global ratings

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E. Summers

Great for classrooms

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2017

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I teach first grade and I am always on the lookout for quality literature to use for read-alouds in my classroom. "The Year of Billy Miller" is an excellent book for primary grades not just as a read-aloud but as the foundation for a whole classroom unit.

The book is divided into four sections, each section about as long as a typical book from one of the churn-and-burn series (looking at you Junie B.). So, in essence, you are getting four books for the price of one and I appreciate Henkes for doing it this way instead of starting a series of Billy Miller books.

Section One "Teacher" is about how Billy deals with starting second grade and the natural feelings of insecurity that many students go through when starting a new grade.

Section Two "Father" is about Billy's dad struggling with his artwork and how being frustrated or angry about one part of our lives can effect other parts as well. This section can be used in conjunction with having your class create dioramas.

Section Three: "Sister" tells about Billy's first attempt to stay up all night and how it turns into a wonderful bonding session with his little sister instead. This section can be used for creating scary stories or an arts and craft projects where the students make their own "Drop Sister".

Section Four: "Mother" is probably the weakest part of the story but wraps things up nicely. Can be used in conjunction with a poetry writing assignment.

22 people found this helpful

Helpful

Billy Miller feels as real as Ramona Quimby.

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2021

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What a beloved story about a young boy who struggles to express his emotions and to find his place in his classroom among a highly confident 2nd grade girl and a teacher from whom he desperately seeks validation and approval!

I read this aloud with two 6-year-olds (a boy and a girl), and they both loved the story. While it has been many years since I was a 2nd grader, everything Billy feels and struggles with resonated with me. This is how I remember feeling and acting when I was in elementary school.

Full disclosure, we own all of Kevin Henkes' "mouse stories." This was just as engaging and heartfelt, but in a longer chapter format. My kids are still quoting the haiku to me:

Mom likes volcanoes.
They are hot. They can explode.
Please do not fall in.

3 people found this helpful

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E.J. Wilson

Perfect for a Second-Grade Read Aloud

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2017

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I first read this book on the recommendation from my local children's librarian. I read it to my second grade class near the end of the year last year and we all loved it. This year, I began the year by reading this book to my students and we spent time thinking and writing about what it would mean for this to be the year of _____ and filling in each of my students' names. This book has also provided my students with talking points throughout the year. Even now, five months later, as my students are about to make their own presentations in front of an audience, we are all remembering and talking about Billy Miller's experience!

I highly recommend this book, especially to second grade teachers.

21 people found this helpful

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lc

Very interesting and lovely.

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2021

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Billy Miller is a normal boy who just started 2nd grade.He has a problem with a know-it-all girl at school that he dislikes.His father (which he called papa but called him dad later) was struggling to sell his art, but Billy recommended this dad to making a kind of art called diorama.It was a success and Billy was left with her sister, Sal, and their babysitter to go to a hotel because their parents went to a place to ell their art.At the hotel, he tries to stay up all night with his sister but didn't make it, and gave his sister a pearl.He also struggles a little about thinking who to take to the stage and what poem he should make.

In all, I think this an interesting , and great book.

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2022

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Kevin Henkes has created a small masterpiece bringing the reader into the head of a second-grade boy with whom we immediately sympathize and whom we like. Billy Miller navigates life peopled by family, classmates, teacher -- as important to Billy as they would be to any child. I'd imagine this becoming a favorite read-aloud of a first, second, or even third grader -- not to mention a parent.

One person found this helpful

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Heidi Grange

Delightful through and through!

Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2013

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Billy Miller struggles with finding his way through the sorts of problems one would expect for a second-grader. He starts school on a wrong note and seeks to remedy the problem with his teacher. His father's artistic block causes tension in the family until Billy finds a way to help. Billy wants to stay up all night and hopes his little sister can help him do it. But who is he supposed to write his special poem about when he loves both his mom and dad? It's a puzzle, but Billy addresses the problem with his typical aplomb.

Strengths: Billy is an adorable character, very believable and endearing. Henkes demonstrates once again his superb understanding of childhood and the sorts of things that most kids worry about. The book would be a wonderful read-a-loud as it is full of character, heart, and beautiful writing.

Weaknesses: The only problem I had with the book was the length. The book is rather long (229 pages) for the target audience which would have to be first through third grades. I'm not sure older children would pick up the book.

10 people found this helpful

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Ebeth

The summer of My Boy

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2015

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This is one of the best books ever! My son and I read this book together when he was in 5th grade, and he did his back-to-school book report on The Year of Billy Miller. It was the very first book report on which he spent so much energy! He made his own book cover for the book, representing the things about the story that made an impact on him, and he wrote a synopsis for his back cover. Let me tell you, if MY 5th-grade-son got this involved in a project about a book he read during the summer? It's an extremely good book. Reading for fun means a comic book for him. He was hesitant when I showed it to him, but after I volunteered to start reading first, and he had questions and comments and, yes, laughter - it was on and popping! I know I haven't told you anything about the book - you can read that in the information above! This is the most important part - my non-reader was enraptured!

6 people found this helpful

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Dylan Gordon

A fantastic piece of literature

Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2020

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One of the better children's books I've read. The characters, the situations they're in, their interactions are all that of a first-tier novel for adults. In fact I think I may read it myself as my spouse got to read much of the book to my son!

Ana

Livro

Reviewed in Brazil on October 31, 2018

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Aloka

5 year old and he loved it to much

Reviewed in India on March 30, 2017

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I read this book aloud to my 4.5 year old and he loved it to much! A great buy super quality and simple and loved the size of the text .

One person found this helpful

プルメリア

ニューベリーオナーブック　＆　ニューヨークタイムズ　ベストセラーブック。

Reviewed in Japan on September 15, 2015

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厚さ２ｃｍほどの本で　紙質がとても良いです。ところどころちょっとした挿絵が入っており、文章も平易で　洋書初心者さんにおすすめします。

内容は、小学校2年生の主人公を中心にして、”先生””お父さん””妹””お母さん”の4つの章から成りたっています。
何か大げさな出来事が展開していくわけではなく、ごく日常のどこでも起きているようなそんなことが　いきいきと描かれており子供が読んだ場合、
自己投影しやすいのかもしれません。
大人が読むと、くすっと笑ってしまうような　微笑ましいような　ほのぼのとした・・・そんなお話です。

お父さんは、家でお仕事をしている駆け出しの芸術家、お母さんは、英語の教師。妹は3歳、おしゃまな女の子。　主人公が、タイトルのビリーミラー。

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Wonderful story

Reviewed in Canada on September 13, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is a fantastic book. I’m reading it to a group of first, second, and third graders. They love it and the sweet illustrations spaced throughout.

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The Year of Billy Miller: A Newbery Honor Award Winner (A Miller Family Story) Kindle Edition

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