Benji Zeb Is a Ravenous Werewolf
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  • Published: 21 October 2025
  • ISBN: 9781774880548
  • Imprint: Tundra Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $15.99
Categories:

Benji Zeb Is a Ravenous Werewolf

Formats & editions
Paperback
21 Oct 2025
EBook
2 Jul 2024
Audiobook
2 Jul 2024
Hardback
6 Aug 2024
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Benji Zeb has to balance preparing for his bar mitzvah, his feelings for a school bully, and being a werewolf in this heartfelt, coming-of-age novel for middle-grade readers, now available in paperback. For fans of Sydney Taylor-honor book Don't Want to Be Your Monster and Too Bright to See.

Benji Zeb has to balance preparing for his bar mitzvah, his feelings for a school bully, and being a werewolf in this heartfelt, coming-of-age novel for middle-grade readers. For fans of Don't Want to Be Your Monster and Too Bright to See.

Benji Zeb has a lot going on. He has a lot of studying to do, not only for school but also for his upcoming bar mitzvah. He's nervous about Mr. Rutherford, the aggressive local rancher who hates Benji's family's kibbutz and wolf sanctuary. And he hasn't figured out what to do about Caleb, Mr. Rutherford's stepson, who has been bullying Benji pretty hard at school, despite Benji wanting to be friends (and maybe something more). And all of this is made more complicated by the fact that, secretly, Benji and his entire family are werewolves who are using the wolf sanctuary as cover for their true identities! 

Things come to a head when Caleb shows up at the kibbutz one night . . . in wolf form! He's a werewolf too, unable to control his shifting, and he needs Benji's help. Can anxious Benji juggle all of these things along with his growing feelings toward Caleb?
  • Published: 21 October 2025
  • ISBN: 9781774880548
  • Imprint: Tundra Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $15.99
Categories:

Also by Deke Moulton

Don't Want to Be Your Monster
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Praise for Benji Zeb Is a Ravenous Werewolf

PRAISE FOR Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf:
"Moulton explores relevant issues surrounding anxiety, faith, prejudice, sexuality, and prioritizing others’ safety over personal comfort in this allegorical creature feature." —Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

"Highly recommended for readers looking for a unique take on the werewolf trope. Readers will root for the ­gentle and introspective protagonist." —Starred Review, School Library Journal

"Benji’s adultish inner voice, and lessons for Caleb about Jewish traditions and history, frequently eclipse both character development and plot, tilting this contemplative, profoundly allegorical story into teachy but never preachy territory . . . . A sweet, informative, and somewhat hairy coming-out and coming-of-age story." —Booklist

"It would be difficult to overstate the impressiveness of Benji Zeb. With that in mind, hand it to your young readers that read fantasy not to escape the real world, but to highlight some of its most difficult elements. Elegant, smart stuff." —Betsy Bird, School Library Journal

PRAISE FOR Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf:
"Moulton explores relevant issues surrounding anxiety, faith, prejudice, sexuality, and prioritizing others’ safety over personal comfort in this allegorical creature feature." —Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

"Highly recommended for readers looking for a unique take on the werewolf trope. Readers will root for the ­gentle and introspective protagonist." —Starred Review, School Library Journal

"Benji’s adultish inner voice, and lessons for Caleb about Jewish traditions and history, frequently eclipse both character development and plot, tilting this contemplative, profoundly allegorical story into teachy but never preachy territory . . . . A sweet, informative, and somewhat hairy coming-out and coming-of-age story." —Booklist

"It would be difficult to overstate the impressiveness of Benji Zeb. With that in mind, hand it to your young readers that read fantasy not to escape the real world, but to highlight some of its most difficult elements. Elegant, smart stuff." —Betsy Bird, School Library Journal

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