The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes was very sweet, a feel good book for 7 or 8 year olds. I like the way the author set up the year in quarters by talking about a specific person in his life; his teacher, his dad, his sister, and his mom.
Billy is growing up in subtle ways but enough so that not only does he notice but his parents do, also. Nothing really big or exciting happens in Billy's second year of school; the book really is a celebration of a normal life for a normal little boy who is tender and caring as well as creative and smart. I think any child would enjoy this happy story (well, there is one sad incident that happens to a bird) about Billy Miller. 2014 Newbury Honor book
I give The Year of Billy Miller 4 out of 5 stars