Jim Benton, bestselling author of Dear Dumb Diary and Franny K. Stein, brings us a fresh new middle grade novel about breaking all the rules! There's nothing Jake likes more than some good trash-picking, so when his elderly neighbors move out and leave an especially promising-looking pile of household refuse on the curb, he goes right for it. He only has the chance to grab one box before his mom catches him and orders him in for dinner, though. When mysterious goings-on begin to occur in the neighborhood, the trio investigates the hidden box from Jack's garage. In it, they find the Secret Parent's Handbook and with it all the means to subvert the irrational rules and petty tyranny of their home lives. No more clean rooms! No more vegetables! No more brushed hair or washed hands! It's all videogames and junk food all the time!But the authorities -- and the resistance -- have taken notice of the strange goings-on in Jack and his friends' neighborhood. And they are closing in . . . Gr 4–6—A middle grade dystopia with echoes of George Orwell's 1984. Jack and his friends discover a copy of the Secret Parent's Handbook, a guide that all mothers and fathers use in the rearing of their kids. It contains classic gems such as "Because I said so, that's why" and "You'll poke your eye out!" Once the kids get their hands on the book, they are able to override their parents' reactions and control their parents' behavior. When the children join the kid-led Resistance and begin acting out, Big Mother kidnaps them and tries to send them to Antarctica where they will be de-programmed before being allowed to return to their families. Humor is peppered with mild violence as agents shoot stun guns at wayward children and adults. In the hasty ending, both the kids and their parents decide that love conquers all and no one need to try to control the other. VERDICT The subtle and not-so-subtle references to Orwellian elements are likely to go unnoticed by the target audience. Hand to kids who like subversive, authority-challenging humor.—Lillian Hecker, Town of Pelham Public Library, NY "...a game-changer for many. Eerily plausible..." - Kirkus Reviews "The Handbook is a hilarious adventure showing what the world would look like if there actually was a parenting handbook. Author Jim Benton has nailed both the story line and memorable characters. ...This a fantastic book that you should run out and read right now. Fit for young to old readers, everyone will enjoy this romp thru a few days in the life of three fantastic children." - Compass Book Ratings Jim Benton is an award-winning author and artist. You may know some of the other things he's made, like It's Happy Bunny, Dear Dumb Diary, Franny K. Stein, Victor Shmud, and more. He's created a TV series, written books, and produced a movie, and he always did everything his parents told him to do. Pretty much. Jim lives in Michigan with his wife and kids and can be found online at jimbenton.com.