The Year of Billy Miller

I didn't read it but my son got an A on his book report for it

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.

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.

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.

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.

My 8 year old son really enjoys Billy Miller. He read both Billy Miller books as a 2nd grader. They provided a slight challenge and also several thought-provoking premises. There is also humor that appeals to young kids. We are fans of both Billy Miller books!

Great book, love all of Henkes books.

Coming from a teacher-in-training perspective, we saw some benefits from this book, but unfortunately Kevin Henkes fell short on his first novel.Billy Miller is a second grade student who has self-esteem issues. Billy feels the need to be accepted, and have everyone's approval. He is also very self-conscious of his academic abilities. As Billy overcomes the challenges of a rude classmate, diorama project, grumpy father, a failed attempt at staying up all night, and a poetry reading in front of an auditorium, readers will re-discover or re-affirm what it is like to be in second grade. Henkes does a great job of demonstrating the many fears and worries of elementary school children.Where Henkes falls short is the format and plot line. Each chapter is a small window into Billy's life with its own little climax and resolution, without any smooth transitions from one story to the next. This can make for a very choppy read. Also, each short story is unfortunately, not very exciting and seems to flat line. It is a very repetitive novel and constantly reinforces the theme of confidence building. Some second graders may delight in the slow-building story, while others may drop the book for it being too boring.As future teachers, we found this book informative in how to be responsive to elementary school students and how to best encourage them academically and socially. Overall, this book might be an acquired taste for readers.

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!

Gostei

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。

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.

I was very pleased with the swift delivery of this book. It's a gift for my grandson, but I read through it and I found it to be very entertaining.