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Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed by José Pablo Iriarte
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Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

By José Pablo Iriarte

By José Pablo Iriarte

By José Pablo Iriarte

By José Pablo Iriarte

By José Pablo Iriarte

By José Pablo Iriarte

By José Pablo Iriarte

By José Pablo Iriarte

By José Pablo Iriarte
Read by Gary Tiedemann

By José Pablo Iriarte
Read by Gary Tiedemann

Best Seller
Paperback $8.99

May 27, 2025 | ISBN 9780593703731 | Middle Grade (8-12)

Hardcover $17.99

Apr 30, 2024 | ISBN 9780593703700 | Middle Grade (8-12)

Hardcover $20.99

Apr 30, 2024 | ISBN 9780593703717 | Middle Grade (8-12)

Ebook $10.99

Apr 30, 2024 | ISBN 9780593703724 | Middle Grade (8-12)

Audiobook Download $18.00

Apr 30, 2024 | 369 Minutes | Middle Grade (8-12)

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    Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed by José Pablo Iriarte
    Paperback $8.99
    May 27, 2025 | ISBN 9780593703731

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    • $8.99

      May 27, 2025 | ISBN 9780593703731 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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    • $17.99

      Apr 30, 2024 | ISBN 9780593703700 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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    • $20.99

      Apr 30, 2024 | ISBN 9780593703717 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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    • Apr 30, 2024 | ISBN 9780593703724 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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    • Apr 30, 2024 | ISBN 9780593795729 | Middle Grade (8-12)

      369 Minutes

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    About Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

    Benny Ramírez can see dead people . . . Well, one dead person, anyway. A hilarious and heartwarming story about a boy who can suddenly see the ghost of his famous musician grandfather!

    After moving cross-country into his late grandfather’s Miami mansion, Benny discovers that the ghost of his famous trumpet-playing abuelo, the great Ignacio Ramírez, is still there . . . and isn’t too thrilled about it. He’s been barred from the afterlife, and no one can see him except his grandson. But Benny’s got problems of his own. He’s enrolled in a performing arts school with his siblings, despite having no obvious talent.
        Luckily, Abuelo believes they can help each other. Abuelo has until New Year’s Eve to do some good in the world and thinks that teaching Benny how to play the trumpet and become a school celebrity might be the key to earning his wings. Having no better ideas, Benny finds himself taking Abuelo’s advice—to disastrous and hilarious results.
        Benny and Abuelo will find that there’s more than one way to be great in this unforgettable, laugh-out-loud tale of family, music, and self-discovery.

    About Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

    Benny Ramírez can see dead people . . . Well, one dead person, anyway. A hilarious and heartwarming story about a boy who can suddenly see the ghost of his famous musician grandfather!

    After moving cross-country into his late grandfather’s Miami mansion, Benny discovers that the ghost of his famous trumpet-playing abuelo, the great Ignacio Ramírez, is still there . . . and isn’t too thrilled about it. He’s been barred from the afterlife, and no one can see him except his grandson. But Benny’s got problems of his own. He’s enrolled in a performing arts school with his siblings, despite having no obvious talent.
        Luckily, Abuelo believes they can help each other. Abuelo has until New Year’s Eve to do some good in the world and thinks that teaching Benny how to play the trumpet and become a school celebrity might be the key to earning his wings. Having no better ideas, Benny finds himself taking Abuelo’s advice—to disastrous and hilarious results.
        Benny and Abuelo will find that there’s more than one way to be great in this unforgettable, laugh-out-loud tale of family, music, and self-discovery.

    About Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

    Benny Ramírez can see dead people . . . Well, one dead person, anyway. A hilarious and heartwarming story about a boy who can suddenly see the ghost of his famous musician grandfather!

    After moving cross-country into his late grandfather’s Miami mansion, Benny discovers that the ghost of his famous trumpet-playing abuelo, the great Ignacio Ramírez, is still there . . . and isn’t too thrilled about it. He’s been barred from the afterlife, and no one can see him except his grandson. But Benny’s got problems of his own. He’s enrolled in a performing arts school with his siblings, despite having no obvious talent.
        Luckily, Abuelo believes they can help each other. Abuelo has until New Year’s Eve to do some good in the world and thinks that teaching Benny how to play the trumpet and become a school celebrity might be the key to earning his wings. Having no better ideas, Benny finds himself taking Abuelo’s advice—to disastrous and hilarious results.
        Benny and Abuelo will find that there’s more than one way to be great in this unforgettable, laugh-out-loud tale of family, music, and self-discovery.

    About Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

    Benny Ramírez can see dead people . . . Well, one dead person, anyway. A hilarious and heartwarming story about a boy who can suddenly see the ghost of his famous musician grandfather!

    After moving cross-country into his late grandfather’s Miami mansion, Benny discovers that the ghost of his famous trumpet-playing abuelo, the great Ignacio Ramírez, is still there . . . and isn’t too thrilled about it. He’s been barred from the afterlife, and no one can see him except his grandson. But Benny’s got problems of his own. He’s enrolled in a performing arts school with his siblings, despite having no obvious talent.
        Luckily, Abuelo believes they can help each other. Abuelo has until New Year’s Eve to do some good in the world and thinks that teaching Benny how to play the trumpet and become a school celebrity might be the key to earning his wings. Having no better ideas, Benny finds himself taking Abuelo’s advice—to disastrous and hilarious results.
        Benny and Abuelo will find that there’s more than one way to be great in this unforgettable, laugh-out-loud tale of family, music, and self-discovery.

    About Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

    Benny Ramírez can see dead people . . . Well, one dead person, anyway. A hilarious and heartwarming story about a boy who can suddenly see the ghost of his famous musician grandfather!

    After moving cross-country into his late grandfather’s Miami mansion, Benny discovers that the ghost of his famous trumpet-playing abuelo, the great Ignacio Ramírez, is still there . . . and isn’t too thrilled about it. He’s been barred from the afterlife, and no one can see him except his grandson. But Benny’s got problems of his own. He’s enrolled in a performing arts school with his siblings, despite having no obvious talent.
        Luckily, Abuelo believes they can help each other. Abuelo has until New Year’s Eve to do some good in the world and thinks that teaching Benny how to play the trumpet and become a school celebrity might be the key to earning his wings. Having no better ideas, Benny finds himself taking Abuelo’s advice—to disastrous and hilarious results.
        Benny and Abuelo will find that there’s more than one way to be great in this unforgettable, laugh-out-loud tale of family, music, and self-discovery.

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    About José Pablo Iriarte

    José Pablo Iriarte is a Cuban-American high school math teacher. They are also a Nebula, Hugo, Sturgeon, and Locus Award–nominated author of fantasy and science fiction. Their stories have been published in Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed Magazine, and Strange Horizons, among… More about José Pablo Iriarte

    About José Pablo Iriarte

    José Pablo Iriarte is a Cuban-American high school math teacher. They are also a Nebula, Hugo, Sturgeon, and Locus Award–nominated author of fantasy and science fiction. Their stories have been published in Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed Magazine, and Strange Horizons, among… More about José Pablo Iriarte

    About José Pablo Iriarte

    José Pablo Iriarte is a Cuban-American high school math teacher. They are also a Nebula, Hugo, Sturgeon, and Locus Award–nominated author of fantasy and science fiction. Their stories have been published in Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed Magazine, and Strange Horizons, among… More about José Pablo Iriarte

    About José Pablo Iriarte

    José Pablo Iriarte is a Cuban-American high school math teacher. They are also a Nebula, Hugo, Sturgeon, and Locus Award–nominated author of fantasy and science fiction. Their stories have been published in Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed Magazine, and Strange Horizons, among… More about José Pablo Iriarte

    About José Pablo Iriarte

    José Pablo Iriarte is a Cuban-American high school math teacher. They are also a Nebula, Hugo, Sturgeon, and Locus Award–nominated author of fantasy and science fiction. Their stories have been published in Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed Magazine, and Strange Horizons, among… More about José Pablo Iriarte

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Paperback | $8.99
    Published by Yearling
    May 27, 2025 | 272 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780593703731

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Hardcover | $17.99
    Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Apr 30, 2024 | 272 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780593703700

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Hardcover | $20.99
    Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Apr 30, 2024 | 272 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780593703717

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Ebook | $10.99
    Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Apr 30, 2024 | 272 Pages | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780593703724

    Category: Audiobooks | Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Audiobook Download | $18.00
    Published by Listening Library
    Apr 30, 2024 | 369 Minutes | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780593795729

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    Praise

    “Hilarious and heartfelt. . . . A musical, food-filled party for the artist in everyone!” —Carlos Hernandez, Pura Belpré Award–winning author of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

    “A fun and lyrical exploration of what it means to find your true talent while keeping your priorities straight. . . . A stunning debut by a rising talent.” —David Bowles, Pura Belpré Honor–winning author of They Call Me Güero

    “A funny and heartwarming story about family, friendship, and discovering your talents that resonates like a beautiful song.” —Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Edgar Award–winning author of Concealed

    “Sweet and funny….Latine readers may catch some references to Cuban artists in the story, which is richly fleshed out to showcase Miami life and culture.” —Booklist

    “A humorous and haunting riff on a classic storyline.” —Kirkus Reviews

    “Benny’s story is a ­charming, not-scary ghost story with ­moments of joy, ­sadness, and wishing-you-were-there in ­Miami eating a delicious ­Cubano sandwich.” —School Library Journal

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