
The Benefits of Being an Octopus
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Narrated by:
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Amy Melissa Bentley
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By:
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Ann Braden
About this listen
Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there's Lenny, her mom's boyfriend - they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer.
At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. Her only friend, Fuchsia, has her own issues, and since they're in an entirely different world than the rich kids, it's best if no one notices them.
Zoey thinks how much easier everything would be if she were an octopus: eight arms to do eight things at once. Incredible camouflage ability and steady, unblinking vision. Powerful, protective defenses.
Unfortunately, she's not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in a new way: her mom's relationship with Lenny, Fuchsia's situation, and her own place in this town of people who think they're better than her. Can Zoey find the courage to speak up, even if it means risking the most stable home she's ever had?
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We all have a point of view.
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it is for the ages it's recommended to
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Great book with challenging subjects
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Great Book
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I also loved that this author showed topics from multiple points of view and didn’t vilify people for what they believed or enjoyed. Definitely an exercise in empathy and understanding.
Very well done.
Tough topics handled brilliantly
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Great read
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Narrator
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really good book
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moving away part
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Real life problems told in a great way.
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An Amazing Book
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