“Billy Miller’s birthday wish, for ‘something exciting [to] happen,’ attunes him to all kinds of excitement in his life. . . . Henkes’s focus on small transitions in growing up and seeing the world acknowledges and celebrates the complex emotional life of childhood. Billy’s year of being 8 begins like a leaf unfolding, slow and steady . . . The sweet surprise of the summer, revealed when Papa returns, promises new and interesting chapters in Billy’s life. Full of heart and depth.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“In this welcome sequel [to The Year of Billy Miller], school is over for the year and Billy is a ‘second-and-a-half grader’ now worrying about his eighth birthday wish. . . . Henkes is a master of characterization, deftly using dabs of telling details to build his characters. . . . When Mama and Papa share exciting news at the end of the story, Billy changes his mind about that wish he had regretted. ‘Now he wouldn’t change it for anything.’” — Horn Book (starred review)

“A first-rate choice for reading aloud, this episodic, consistently captivating chapter book draws readers into Billy’s world immediately. Small, kid-friendly drawings illustrate details mentioned within the narrative, but the vividly portrayed characters come to life through the words alone. A companion book to Newbery Honor Book The Year of Billy Miller, this warm family story features the same down-to earth humor and seemingly simple, beautifully crafted writing. A quiet gem.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Billy Miller is back with all-new everyday adventures. As he blows out the candles on his eighth birthday cake, he makes a wish for something exciting to happen. . . . Henkes’s phenomenal ability to tap directly into the hopes, fears, and annoyances of an eight-year-old boy with beautiful clarity make this not only relatable for young readers, but for adults as well. . . . A darling addition to early middle grade collections.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“[A] short, well-paced follow-up to Newbery Honoree Henkes’s The Year of Billy Miller . . . Henkes’s sequel offers a refreshingly honest portrayal of kid life . . . Henkes captures the warmth of Billy’s family . . . as well as his guileless voice as he navigates common trials and tribulations of childhood.” — Publishers Weekly

“In this tender, lightly illustrated story, Mr. Henkes captures the angst, humor and quiet everyday dramas of life in a growing family.” — Wall Street Journal