This heartfelt story about school, friendship, and family is perfect for readers who cant get enough of such middle grade favorites as Jerry Spinelli and Gary D. Schmidt. From acclaimed author Peter Johnson, The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez is a novel that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate your family all the more.Everyone thinks Benny Alvarez is Mr. Negativity. According to Benny, hes just realistic about seeing the other side of thingswhen it comes to just about everything. But maybe theres another way to deal with the things Benny cant controllike his ailing grandfather, his wild younger brother, and the know-it-all girls at school. In this poignant novel about acceptance, Benny Alvarez will have to decide . . . is the glass half empty or half full?