Reading Group Guide

Benny on the Case

By Wesley King

About the Book

For eleven-year-old Benny, who lives in Newfoundland, life changes drastically when the new school year begins. One change he wants but worries about: switching to the main classroom after years in special classes where he was assigned because he has Mosaic Down syndrome. Will he be bullied in the new classroom? One change he hopes for: making a friend his own age, which seems possible with Salma, a new classmate from Seattle. One change that could spell big trouble: a series of thefts at Starflower by the Sea, the retirement home Benny’s mother owns, where they live together taking care of the residents. As Benny and Salma tackle the mystery of the thefts, they also take on school bullies who belittle anyone they consider different. But could it be that Benny’s differences and courage are what will gain him friends and help him save his home?

Discussion Questions

1. Benny is a complex character. Discuss his personality, family, and living situation; describe good things in his life and some challenges he faces. What kinds of things does he hope for? What does he worry about? Near the end of the novel, Benny thinks, “Mr. Tom was right proud of how confident I’d become.” (Chapter nineteen) What helps make Benny more confident? How else does his character grow by the end of the novel?

2. Salma describes Benny as “‘more mature than any eleven-year-old I’ve ever met.’” (Chapter eight) What does her follow-up description of him tell you about Benny and what he cares about? What does it tell you about Salma’s values?

3. What are some of Benny’s strengths? When Benny finishes his math questions quickly, Mrs. Willoughby gives him “one of those ‘good try’ smiles.” (Chapter seven) Discuss her reaction, and your own, when it turns out Benny is good at math. Why does he like math? How does he help Mr. Tom with the boat, and what abilities does that show?

4. What causes Benny to bodycheck Mark? Why does Benny decide to apologize to him? What kind of strength does that show on Benny’s part? What is Mark’s reaction? How does he later change the way he treats Benny and Salma?

5. What is Benny’s mother like? Talk about Benny’s relationship with her, including what he likes about it and things he wants to change. Discuss the issue of Mum bringing his lunch to school and her apology. Explain what happened to Benny’s father and why Mum feels guilty. How does that tragedy affect her treatment of Benny?

6. Discuss life in the Starflower by the Sea retirement home. Who are some of the residents and staff? Why does Benny like living there? Why do some kids at school make fun of him for it?

7. Describe Mr. Tom and his role at Starflower. Why is he so important to Benny? Why is Benny so important to Mr. Tom? What do they do together? How does Mr. Tom help Benny feel good about himself?

8. Why does Benny try to contact Mr. Tom’s son? What is the response to the letters? Why doesn’t the son want to see Mr. Tom? How does Mr. Tom feel about it? What does Mr. Tom mean when he tells Benny that Benny gave him “‘another chance at a family’”? (Chapter twenty-three)

9. What changes does Benny encounter when he starts school this year? What was his school situation before? Why is he worried about being in the main classroom? How do some of the other students react?

10. Describe Salma. How does she end up in Newfoundland? What is her initial reaction to living there, and how does that change? What’s her connection to Starflower even before she meets Benny?

11. When Salma first arrives in the classroom, Ashlin asks, “‘Where is she from?’” When Salma answers, “‘Seattle,’” Ashlin then asks, “‘Like, originally?’” (Chapter three) Why is Ashlin asking this, and how does it make Salma feel?

12. Discuss the conversation Benny has with Mr. Tom about Ashlin’s treatment of Salma, in which Mr. Tom says, “‘Some folks are scared of people who look or believe different than they do.’” (Chapter four) Why is it easier for Benny to accept other people’s differences?

13. Why does making friends with Salma matter so much to Benny? Why does he like her? Why does she like him? Compare their similarities and differences. How does their friendship evolve?

14. Discuss Benny’s observation about Salma that “she knew the most important thing about me wasn’t Down syndrome—it was part of who I was, but there was more to me than that.” (Chapter seven)

15. Benny and Salma start to investigate what is happening with the local retirement homes that are being closed. What makes them suspicious that something fraudulent might be going on? How are the criminals closing retirement homes? How do they plan to make money from those closures?

16. Why is Salma especially suited to lead the investigation? What do Benny and Salma learn when they visit Ashlin’s house? Recount the trip that Benny, Salma, and Mr. Tom take to confront Reginald Peters. What prompts Benny to speak up there? Explain the steps Benny and Salma take to trick the criminals into betraying each other.

17. What do you learn about Newfoundland as a place to live throughout the novel? Why do some of the characters love living there? Why is Salma uncertain about it at first? Talk about Mr. Tom’s description of being on the boat as “‘Sea and sky and salt. This is where you’re free.’” (Chapter twenty-four) Is it important that the story takes place in Newfoundland, or could it have been set somewhere else?

18. Why do you think the author has Benny as the narrator instead of using a third-person point of view? What’s the emotional impact of his first-person voice? How does the narrative convey his personality and abilities, and differ from what some readers would expect from a narrator with Down syndrome? Find examples of metaphors and other figurative language he uses and discuss what they add to the narrative.

Extension Activities

1. More than a “B’y with Down Syndrome.” Using sources in the Author’s Note, research Down syndrome including Mosaic Down syndrome. Write down five interesting facts or insights you find, making a note of the source. Discuss as a group what you learned and how it applies to Benny’s character. Talk about Benny’s concern about his future that “Everyone is always going to see me as the b’y with Down syndrome.” (Chapter seventeen)

2. STOMP Out Bullying. From the beginning, Benny worries about being bullied when he switches to the main classroom. Explore the website for STOMP Out Bullying, https://www.stompoutbullying.org/about-bullying-and-cyberbullying. As a group, start a list of ways to stop bullying from happening and to create an atmosphere that welcomes everyone, drawing ideas from the website, your own experiences, and the novel.

3. Newfoundland Magic. When Benny’s out in the boat, he says of the day and place, “It was magic.” (Chapter twenty-four) Create something to persuade people around you that Newfoundland is a great place to visit. It could be a poster, travel brochure, slide presentation, multimedia presentation, persuasive speech, or another project. Include some Newfoundland sayings from the glossary of terms at the beginning of Benny on the Case and a few quotes from characters in the book about Newfoundland.

4. What’s Wrong with Being Old? Salma calls it ageism when the police attribute the first theft to a forgetful Starflower resident. Later Ashlin doesn’t want to meet at Starflower because she doesn’t want “to be surrounded by old people.” (Chapter seven) Define and discuss ageism in general. Then find older people to interview about their perception and experience of ageism. Meet in small groups to discuss the interviews and your own biases about older people, relating your thoughts to the novel.

Guide written by Kathleen Odean, a long-time youth librarian and children’s literature

instructor, who chaired the 2002 Newbery Award Committee.

This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes. For more Simon & Schuster guides and classroom materials, please visit simonandschuster.net or https://www.simonandschuster.net/m/prek12-teachers-librarians/the-book-pantry.