{"product_id":"benbee-and-the-teacher-griefer-the-kids-under-the-stairs-9781797219486","title":"Benbee and the Teacher Griefer: The Kids Under the Stairs","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLove that Dog\u003c\/i\u003e meets \u003ci\u003eMr. Bixby's Last Day\u003c\/i\u003e in this funny, clever novel-in-verse about video-game enthusiast Ben Bellows and his three classmates.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Ben Bellows failed the Language Arts section of the Florida State Test. Now he and three classmates are stuck in a summer school class. But these kids aren't dumb--they're divergent thinkers, as Ms. J tells them: They simply approach things in a different way than traditional school demands. Soon, they win over Ms. J with their passion for Sandbox, a Minecraft-type game. The kids make a deal with Ms. J: Every minute they spend reading aloud equals one minute they get to play Sandbox in class. But when the administration finds out about this unorthodox method of teaching, Ben B. and his buds have to band together to save their teacher's job--and their own academic future. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Told through the perspective of four different students in alternating chapters, this honest, heartfelt novel-in-verse about friendship, school, and video games celebrates different types of intelligence, and encourages even the most reluctant reader to embrace their own \"divergent\" self. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e POPULAR, TRUSTED AUTHOR: K.A. Holt's books have been nominated for awards in more than 30 states. She is popular on the school speaking circuit and presents keynote speeches throughout the year all over the world, making her a trusted name and a favorite for middle grade readers. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e PERFECT FOR RELUCTANT READERS: Fewer words on each page make this book engaging and approachable for all different types of readers. The characters in the book also struggle with reading, but they are not shamed or looked down on for it, so readers with similar issues will feel understood. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e CELEBRATES WRITING FOR KIDS: The kids in this story work on their school newspaper, turning their tech skills into something their teachers approve of--and something that allows them to stand up for what they believe in. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e MINECRAFT APPEAL: The characters in the book play Sandbox, which readers will instantly recognize as a fictionalized version of Minecraft, an immensely popular game with more than 74 million monthly players. Playing Sandbox is depicted as both cool and educational, which will uplift rather than shame young readers for playing video games and inspire parents, teachers, and librarians to consider nontraditional approaches to traditional school. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e VERY VISUAL: This book is written in free verse and includes a variety of other elements--chat logs, bullet-pointed lists, newspaper articles, and illustrations. It welcomes readers who prefer books that are a bit more visual than text based. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Perfect for: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Fans and players of Minecraft and video games in general \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Reluctant readers \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Young readers who love poetry, slams, and free verse \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Teachers, educators, librarians, and parents looking for books for middle school boys and girls \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e K.A. Holt fans and readers looking for something funny, lyrical, and different from traditional middle grade novels \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eK.A. Holt is the author of \u003ci\u003eRhyme Schemer\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHouse Arrest\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eKnockout\u003c\/i\u003e along with several other books for young people. She lives in Austin, Texas, and is active within the vibrant Texas writing community. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Chronicle Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50604493373714,"sku":"9781797219486","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0a1792a6-d3db-4ef8-8d69-d3784b9f4895.jpg?v=1732260779","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/benbee-and-the-teacher-griefer-the-kids-under-the-stairs-9781797219486","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}