The Death and Life of Benny Brooks, Ethan Long
The Death and Life of Benny Brooks, Ethan Long
List: $18.99 | Sale: $13.29
Club: $9.49

The Death and Life of Benny Brooks
Sort of a Memoir

Author: Ethan Long

Narrator: Josh Hurley

Unabridged: 3 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/03/2023


Synopsis

An award-winning children’s book creator grapples with the darker undercurrents of his childhood in this poignant and honest illustrated memoir, for readers of Free Lunch and The List of Things That Will Not Change.

Benny's life is slowly unraveling. His parents are newly divorced, his mom chooses to move away, and Benny and his brother and sister are left with their chain-smoking dad, who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Benny is lonely, anxious, and very angry. He can't sleep at night and spends his days trying to survive fifth grade. 

Writing from a personal place, award-winning creator Ethan Long sheds light on the challenges of growing up amidst family turmoil in this thought-provoking, bighearted story that brims with hope. 

Reviews

Goodreads review by Erin on December 14, 2024

MSBA nominee focusing on grief and anger in an honest and sometimes humorous way.......more

Goodreads review by Kristi on December 29, 2023

Heartbreaking, relatable, sometimes funny read for 6th graders......more

Goodreads review by Jgramley on November 08, 2023

Benny Brooks has a 5th grade year he would rather forget. From his parent getting a divorce to possibly failing 5th grade to anger and friendships issues up to his dad’s cancer diagnosis, Benny is facing insurmountable odds. Yet, through the help of a counselor and dedicated teacher, he begins to se......more

Goodreads review by Tamara on December 28, 2023

Great book based on the author’s real life experiences dealing with life, divorce, friends, anger issues and cancer. This will be an important book to put into some kids’ hands that might need to know they aren’t alone with all the things life can throw at them at times. Benny was fortunate to have......more