Zoey spends her time taking care of her three siblings, observing her mother's often disturbing relationship with Lenny, and trying to stay under the radar at school. Money is tight and she's learned what it's like to manage when the food stamps aren't enough to keep the refrigerator stocked.
The target of taunts because of her clothes and her trailer park life make it difficult to develop friendships. Zoey has Fuchsia, but ever since an argument between their mothers, they only see each other at school. Fuchsia has her own problems and usually maintains a tough front with little time for Zoey's troubles.
Zoey is used to stern looks from her teachers because doing projects and handing in homework is the last thing on her mind as she juggles to care for two toddlers and a baby while her mother works nights. She's perfected the schedule of picking up two of her siblings at the Head Start bus stop while balancing the baby on her hip and planning how they will avoid Lenny once they get back to the trailer he's been kind enough to share with them. Nearly every day Zoey witnesses the emotional abuse Lenny heaps on her mother as he belittles her and blames her for anything that doesn't go right in his life.
When one of her teachers recognizes Zoey's hidden potential and encourages her to join the after-school debate club, Zoey's world starts looking up. Debate gives her a new view of how her words and perspective can influence others. For the first time Zoey is speaking up and making a difference.
Author Ann Braden takes readers into a world where privilege is unfamiliar and sacrifice is the norm. THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS will open the eyes of readers whose lives are comfortable and provide a voice for those who struggle.
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