Twelve-year-old Ben doesn’t remember the accident in which he lost his little finger when he was a small child. Nor does he remember the uncle, Ian, who was babysitting at the time. The accident led to a family rift that was never resolved. So Ben is happy to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Uncle Ian’s house for his 12th birthda. In fact, it makes him much happier than he is with his parents’ special gift to him: a special room he can use as an art studio. The guilt Ben feels about his parent’s gift is no match for the guilt Ben’s mom and uncle both feel about the accident, but it’s at least an opening to understanding for Ben. This understanding has a chance to grow as he observes the complicated sibling relationship between his mom and Uncle Ian, and when something he does unwittingly contributes to the injury of a neighbor child. Henkes subtly uses action and symbolism to unfold the story and show Ben’s growth. In Ben’s world, one must learn to listen to what people don’t say t know what they mean. Honor Book, CCBC Newbery Discussion (Ages 9-13)

Not just an ordinary birthday...

"Two of the things Benjamin Hunter received for his twelfth birthday took him completely by surprise: A room and a letter. The room was from his parents. The letter was from his uncle."

Ben was just two years old when he and his uncle, Ian, were last together, so Ben’s family ever talked about the man. Then the letter arrived, changing Ben’s life in this emotional coming of age story, and changing his family in unexpected ways. And there was the birthday room...

Multiple award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Kevin Henkes brings his insightful, gentle, real-world insight to middle grade novels, including:

• Billy Miller Makes a Wish
• Bird Lake Moon
• The Birthday Room
• Junonia
• Olive's Ocean
• Protecting Marie
• Sun & Spoon
• Sweeping Up the Heart
• Two Under Par
• Words of Stone
• The Year of Billy Miller
• The Zebra Wall