The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls

Bird, J. (2022). The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls. Feiwel & Friends.

ISBN: 978-1250811561

Plot Summary:

Benjamin Waterfalls comes from a broken home, and the quickest fix he’s found for his life is to fill that emptiness with stuff he steals and then sells. But he’s been caught one too many times, and when he appears before a tough judge, his mother proposes sending him to “boot camp” at the Ojibwe reservation where they used to live.

Soon he is on his way to Grand Portage, Minnesota, to live with his father – the man Benny hasn’t seen in years. Not only is “boot camp” not what he expects, but his rehabilitation seems to be in the hands of the tribal leader’s daughter, who wears a mask. Why? Finding the answer to this and so many other questions prove tougher than any military-style boot camp. Will answers be enough for Benny to turn his life around and embrace his second chance?

-Amazon

Analysis:

Benjamin Waterfalls does not deserve a second chance. He is an unremorseful thief with no intention of changing his ways. He is standing before the judge, again, awaiting sentencing. His mother intervenes and tells the judge she supports the toughest sentencing, but makes a suggestion that ultimately saves Benjamin from a life of crime. He will live with his father and experience a reservation-style reformation that he calls boot camp. Life on the reservation is not what he expects. His relationship with his father is strained and throughout the story you learn more about why his father left and what his path to rehabilitation was like.The tribe appoints a 13 year-old girl, Niimi, to “bloom” Benjamin. Her insightful expertise is a surprise at every turn. She helps him understand the three warriors in his body: A superhero, someone who needs help, and a villain. It’s up to him which one he wants to be. The Objibwe natives are quick to laugh and steady in their commitment to love and support each other. It is announced to the tribe that Benjamin is a thief and he needs their help and they welcome him without judgment. The reformation of Benjamin feels manipulative at times, as he is “set up” to gain insights and learn who he is. The story has a spiritual or magical element to it, but it’s told in the most practical and unassuming way. This is a coming of age story with a good message and solid insights on becoming our best selves.

Book Reviews:

"Bird's strengths include his multidimensional characters (each of whom has flaws that they struggle to overcome) as well as the vivid descriptions of Grand Portage, Minnesota, home of the Gitchi Onigaming Ojibwe. Of equal importance is the more understated message that Indigenous ways of knowing and approaches to problems can be extremely effective, despite the dominant culture's insistence on discounting them. ... Benny's progress is heartening and sure to encourage readers."

―Booklist

"A heartfelt, endearing, and inspiring story of second chances and first steps toward greatness."

―School Library Journal

Connections:

This story could be connected to lessons about honesty, friendship, family relationships, traditions or recovery. 

Awards:

SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2022

El día de los niños / El día de los libros, 2024