The Year of Billy Miller Analysis

We don't hear much about where this book takes place: Constant, Wisconsin. It's a made-up city, so don't try looking for it on a Wisconsin map, but even though it's fictional, it still feels realis...

In this book, we're inside Billy's head. But it's not because he's our narrator. Nope, we've got a third-person storyteller who just happens to like sticking to Billy's point of view. So even thoug...

When you've got a book about a mom, dad, son, and daughter, you've got yourself a family drama. Now when it comes to the Millers, drama takes its own special form. It's not about throwing punches o...

When it comes to tone, our narrator is pretty relaxed. And we get the story in a straightforward way thanks to this informal and down-to-earth attitude. Yep, this storyteller is a straight shooter...

In this book, we get a seriously simple writing style. The narration gives us short sentences that pack a punch. But just because these sentences are short and to the point, don't go thinking that...

So we've got a hunch that this title—The Year of Billy Miller—has something to do with this kid named Billy Miller. And we're right on the money. But even though the title might seem obvious, i...

This is the kind of book that comes full circle. Here's what we mean: The title of the book is The Year of Billy Miller. And the first time anyone says this phrase is when Billy's dad tells him tha...

Here's the good news: This book is easy as pie. We've got simple sentences and a zippy story so the pages fly by. Here's the even better news: This book is also pretty fun. Sure, second grade might...

It's a Lumpy Dumpy DayPoor Billy Miller's got a lump on his head. Yep, this kid fell during summer vacation and now he's got to start second grade with a special extra bump. But he doesn't feel ext...

Hand this chap a Newbery Honor. Yep, author Kevin Henkes has received some serious acclaim for The Year of Billy Miller. (Source.)Sure, Henkes writes about humans in The Year of Billy Miller,...

Shmoopers, there's zero steaminess in this book. Zilch. Gosh, there aren't even any love interests, which makes sense since this is a book about second-graders.

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