Ben Y and the Ghost in the Machine: Book 1

Ben Y's just about had it with school. Every corner she turns, she's being called "Benita," getting Dress Coded by Mr. Mann for some supposedly inappropriate item of clothing, or running into the ineffable, inescapable, indefinable Acewho makes her feel weird, weirdly seen, and strangely at peace, all at once. Even her best budsBen B, Jordan J, and Javier, the kids under the stairsall seem far too content following the rules and making their school newspaper under the attentive direction of their beloved teacher, Ms. J. 

And home's no better. Last year, Ben Y's older brother died, and the family is still very much learning how to copeif by coping you mean coming home to cry at lunch, or secretly building a friendship bracelet empire, or obsessively visiting a chatroom to talk to Benicio's ghost. But when Benicio suddenly starts typing back, Ben Y must actfast, hard, and now. What happens when those actions collide, buried family feelings are exposed, and Ben Y's own deepest secrets become impossible to hide?

With a lovable cast of characters and full of raw emotion, this novel-in-verse celebrates different types of intelligence and shows how every kid deserves to become their own "divergent" self.

NEW UNDERSTANDING OF IDENTITY: The main character in this book is struggling to figure out how she defines herself, both on the inside and to others. It's a struggle many young readers will recognize from their own experiences.

FRIENDSHIP ISSUES: This book navigates the difficulty of changing friendships, particularly when a new friend joins the group. It's an issue nearly every kid goes through in middle school, and it will ring true with young readers.

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.