Billy Miller Makes a Wish
#2 in Billy Miller Series
on Goodreads (674)
What’s inside...
Billy Miller Makes a Wish is a stand-alone companion to Kevin Henkes’s The Year of Billy Miller. It follows young Billy as he makes a birthday wish for something exciting to happen, which leads to a series of unexpected events involving his neighbors, misplaced love letters, and surprising critters. Illustrated by the author in black-and-white, this funny and emotionally complex novel is a great choice for young middle grade readers and a perfect summer read.
Character compass
Billy Miller
Sal
Mama
Papa
Discussion points
What do you think Billy was hoping to achieve with his wish? How would you feel in his situation?
How did Billy's relationship with his family and friends influence his decisions throughout the story?
What lessons do you think Billy learned by the end of the book? What did you learn from his experiences?
If you had one wish like Billy, what would you wish for and why?
How do you think the story would change if it were set in our hometown?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Billy’s shoes while discussing the scenarios in the book to create empathy and deeper understanding.
Use the wish-making aspect of the story as a springboard to discuss the real-life implications and responsibilities of choices and desires.
Highlight the dynamics between Billy and other characters to discuss friendship, family values, and the importance of community support.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings based on different wishes made by Billy to foster creativity and deeper thinking about the story’s themes.
Finish your reading sessions by asking your child how the themes in the story might be applicable to their own experiences or challenges.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of family support
Explanation: Throughout his adventures, Billy Miller finds comfort and guidance in his family's support, which helps him navigate his challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and seek support from their own families during challenging times, understanding the strength in family bonds.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences of actions
Explanation: Billy's experiences teach him that every action, like making a wish, has consequences that he must face and learn from.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to think before acting and to consider the potential outcomes of their choices in various situations.
Example Lesson: Growth through everyday experiences
Explanation: The story shows how ordinary days in Billy’s life contribute to his personal growth and understanding of the world around him.
Real-World Application: Kids can appreciate how their daily routines and interactions contribute to their personal development and life lessons.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Billy learns to understand and empathize with his friends and family, recognizing that everyone has unique feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children learn the importance of empathy and considering other people’s views, fostering better social relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: Billy demonstrates bravery as he confronts situations that are initially intimidating, showing that it’s okay to be scared and it’s brave to try regardless.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to face their own fears and understand that feeling afraid is a natural part of trying new things.