The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez

This heartfelt story about school, friendship, and family is perfect for readers who can't get enough of such middle grade favorites as Jerry Spinelli and Gary D. Schmidt. From acclaimed author Peter Johnson, The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez is a novel that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate your family all the more.

Everyone thinks Benny Alvarez is Mr. Negativity. According to Benny, he's just realistic about seeing the "other side" of things—when it comes to just about everything. But maybe there's another way to deal with the things Benny can't control—like his ailing grandfather, his wild younger brother, and the know-it-all girls at school. In this poignant novel about acceptance, Benny Alvarez will have to decide . . . is the glass half empty or half full?

negative, adjective: (1) characterized by lacking positive attributes; (2) Benny Alvarez

contrary, adjective: (1) stubbornly opposed or willful; (2) Benny Alvarez

family, noun: (1) any group of persons closely related by blood or marriage; (2) Mom, Dad, Irene, Benny, Crash, Grandpa Alvarez, and Gloria

love, noun: a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection

loss, noun: (1) the state of being deprived of or of being without something that one has had; (2) something that is lost; (3) death, or the fact of being dead

Everyone thinks Benny Alvarez is Mr. Negativity. According to Benny, he's just realistic about seeing the "other side" of things—when it comes to almost everything.

But maybe there's a different way to deal with the things Benny can't control—like his ailing grandfather, his wild younger brother, and the know-it-all girls at school.

In this poignant novel about acceptance, Benny Alvarez will have to decide . . . is the glass half empty or half full?

“A middle-schooler writes a kids’ novel; an author writes an engaging, amiable read-and, presto, a tale about a boy nicknamed Houdini turns out magical. . . . By turns poignant and downright hilarious, Houdini’s story/novel is delivered in a voice that’s wonderfully authentic.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review), about The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini

“Johnson (Loserville) delivers a strong contemporary urban novel with cross-gender appeal. . . . Johnson offers solid insights into the varied well-drawn characters, and readers will appreciate Houdini’s realization that ‘writing makes you think very hard about things.’” - Publishers Weekly, about The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini

“A bit grittier and more believably boylike than most contemporary first-person narratives, this novel has a lot of heart as well. And while a narrator who makes lists is common enough, Houdini’s are decidedly more amusing than most.” - Booklist, about The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini

“This slice-of-life novel portrays Benny and his entertaining family and friends with just the right balance of angst and humor. Spot-on.” - Publishers Weekly

“This friendship story will appeal to word nerds and those that tolerate them, and it may even produce some tears under cover of humor.” - Kirkus Reviews