Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy - Hardcover

Guerra, S. F.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1477817328 ISBN 13: 9781477817322

Publisher: Two Lions, 2013

Synopsis

Billy March has been grounded for 63% of the past month. Every time he almost gets his parents’ trust back, his mind wanders off, and he causes another disaster! Like the time he and his best friend Keenan decided to play droid war in a parking lot—and ended up launching a shopping cart into a car...Now Mom and Dad are threatening to send Billy to a psychologist. They may even make him take brain drugs! But deep down, Billy really worries that Dad wishes he had a different son. He’ll never be as perfect as his sisters. Maybe he doesn’t belong in this family at all. But maybe, just maybe, talking to a “shrink” won’t be as terrible as Billy thinks. With generous black-and-white illustrations in every chapter and ton of heart and humor, readers will be cheering for Billy as he struggles to find his place in the world—and discovers his true talent in the process.

About this title

About the Author

Stephanie Guerra is the author of the young adult novel Torn. Kirkus Reviews called her “a strong new voice,” and Booklist praised the book’s “strong voice and complex characters.” Stephanie teaches children’s literature in the College of Education at Seattle University. She also serves as the Seattle host for the teen fiction blog Readergirlz. Billy the Kid Is Not Crazy is her first novel for middle grade readers. Stephanie lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband and children. Learn more: www.stephanieguerra.com

Review

A Look Inside Billy the Kid is Not Crazy

Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

“Readers will cheer for Billy, even as he’s acting up...It’s really hard not to like Billy.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Ten-year-old Billy March seems to spend most of his life in time-out. If he isn't in trouble at school, then he is on his parent's list at home. Told in Billy's own words, this humorous coming-of-age tale follows Billy through his days at home and at school as he gives a play-by-play of his pathetic life. That is how Billy views it. He has two "perfect" sisters making him seem even more troublesome in his parent's eyes. After yet another minor event at school his parents decide to take Billy to a counselor. Billy and his best friend, Keenan, have imagined all kinds of outcomes from this including having to be put on medication, or "brain drugs" as Billy calls them. The counselor declares that Billy just has a vivid imagination and that he needs to learn to not act on it in every case. Billy has to endure teasing from his older sister about the counseling provoking him into a more serious act at home. When his parents find out, they are furious. Billy decides to run away to his uncle's house where he thinks he will be truly welcome. The story gives authentic insight into the mixed-up thinking of a young boy's world view. Some of his observations will ring a bell with readers, like "there are probably like two kids who know how to read out loud" in the whole fifth grade. Billy's vivid imagination is represented in the book by occasional cartoon drawings, adding interest for young readers." —Children's Literature, Meredith Kiger, Ph.D.

Edition details

• Publisher: Two Lions
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1477817328
• ISBN 13: 9781477817322
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 224
• Illustrator: Davies James