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Kevin Henkes
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The Year of Billy Miller: A Newbery Honor Award Winner (A Miller Family Story) Paperback – May 26, 2015

by Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator)
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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!

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    7 - 8 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.67 x 8 inches
  6. Publisher
    Greenwillow Books
  7. Publication date
    May 26, 2015
  8. ISBN-10
    0062268147
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0062268143
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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

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

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greenwillow Books; Reprint edition (May 26, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062268147
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062268143
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 8 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.67 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Kevin Henkes

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 stars
4.5 out of 5
742 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Heidi Grange
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful through and through!
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2013
Verified Purchase
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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NJGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice read
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
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My daughter needed this for a book club and it's a great book. It's an easy-to-read book and my daughter is always wanted to know is going to happen next
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SJH
4.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs up!
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021
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Lighthearted, fun, easy read. Relatable for kids. I liked the relationships, problem solving and personal growth of Billy Miller. Would recommend.
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E. Summers
5.0 out of 5 stars 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
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B. Hampton
5.0 out of 5 stars 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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lc
5.0 out of 5 stars 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.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Small Masterpiece
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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Top reviews from other countries

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Dylan Gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars 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!
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Ana
5.0 out of 5 stars Livro
Reviewed in Brazil on October 31, 2018
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Gostei
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Aloka
5.0 out of 5 stars 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
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プルメリア
4.0 out of 5 stars 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。
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars 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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