Ben Y and the ghost in the machine

Gr 4 Up--Everything is more difficult since Ben Y's brother Benito died last year. Seventh grade is off to a rocky start, as the mysterious new student, Ace, has Ben Y feeling simultaneously happy and nervous anytime they interact. Then Mr. Mann begins a crusade to enforce the school dress code, punishing Ace and Ben Y for the most ridiculous reasons, while her best friends (Jordan J, Ben B, and Javier) appear content to follow the rules as they work on the revived school newspaper with their cherished teacher Ms. J. To top it off, Benito's ghost appears to be typing new messages in their old secret sibling chat room on Sandbox. Holt's sequel digs into Ben Y's journey grappling with grief and identity. The novel hits the important points of understanding and verbalizing what one is feeling. Additionally, Ben Y's bond with her friends demonstrates that those who truly know someone will accept them as they are and that opening up to friends and family can make a world of difference when someone is having a rough time. Every student has their own unique voice exhibited through mixed formats of chat screens, free verse, stream of consciousness, and illustrations to distinguish narrators. Physical character descriptions are vague; Ben Y and Javier are cued Latinx by name. VERDICT An excellent addition to "The Kids Under the Stairs" series and one that kids and adults alike will supremely enjoy.--Emily Walker, Lisle Lib. Dist., IL

An emotionally charged, dynamic novel in verse. Holt's follow-up to 2020's Benbee and the Teacher Griefer follows another character from the ensemble cast. This entry focusing on Ben Y, who prefers Ben to the full name Benita and is exploring gender identity, is accessible without exposure to the prior volume; although it picks up without much explanation of past relationships, the strong narrative style does all the heavy lifting. Reeling from the death of a sibling and the subsequent social fallout of "dead-brother-itis," Ben Y retreats deeper into friendships, game worlds, and the escape provided by the Newspaper Typing Club led by the trusted Ms. J. Over the summer, in this safe space for divergent learners, close bonds formed between Ben Y, Ben B, Jordan, and Javier. At school, Ben Y wavers between feeling unseen and being picked on and takes bold steps to carve out personal space, including an interest in newcomer Ace. Ben Y also faces challenges as the bullish principal imposes limits on their school paper and becomes invested in punishing dress-code violations. This focused character study delivers layered attention to grief and self-exploration. Multiple formats, including chat messages in the Minecraft-like Sandbox, combined with extraordinary pacing make this a win for reluctant readers, while the humor and emotional reach will draw in anyone interested in middle-grade emotional realism. With minimal physical descriptions, names cue ethnic diversity. Accomplished, lively, and heartfelt. (Verse novel. 8-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.