"Royce's mother, dealing as she is with the heartbreak of an aged parent…must confront the issues of dignity versus safety, the power shift that neither party desires,…[and] end-of-life decisions, including euthanasia. Harvey pulls no punches in her portrait of a middle-aged woman facing these challenges…Harvey admirably steers clear of the cliché whereby a young person softens and saves an irascible elder. "

- Quill & Quire

"Royce is a comical, likeable and thoughtful main character…Harvey strikes a good balance between humour and sensitivity that makes the relationship [between Royce and his grandfather] feel authentic…A good story with strong characters that will appeal to a wide range of teen readers. "

- CM Magazine

"Harvey has once again taken the raw materials of teen angst and turned them into a gem. ..Bursting with quirky originality and wry humour, Death Benefits is a wonderful teen novel. All readers who enjoyed Sarah N. Harvey's The Lit Report will laugh and cry along with this witty exploration of the value of life. "

- What If? Magazine

"Humour, insight and familiar landmarks will appeal to teens who may have forgotten that their grandparents were once young. "

- Times Colonist

"A wonderful, moving tale of a young man growing into responsibility and adulthood…This would be the book to hand to a student dealing with the lingering death of a family member but not because it will hand them platitudes and make them feel better. This is no Chicken Soup book. Instead it will offer the insight that other teens have struggled with these questions and pulled through, not unscathed, but alive and stronger…Highly recommended. "

- Resource Links

"Harvey clearly understands what it means to be a caregiver, which gives this book emotional depth and makes it an unusual and meaningful choice for teen readers. "

- Times Colonist

"In this character-driven intergenerational story,…Harvey offers a realistic view of the aging process, the difficult decisions left to loved ones and the need for friends and family. Sophisticated readers and fans of Joan Bauer's Rules of the Road (1998) or Louis Sachar's The Cardturner (2010) will enjoy the grandfather-grandson banter and tenderness. "

- Kirkus Reviews

"The characters pop off the page in this hilarious and touching novel. "

- Tracy Kendrick

"While Royce struggles with giving up much of his free time to take care of a stinky, grumpy recluse, he also learns a lot about life and what gives it meaning. Nice character development throughout the story. "

- Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media

"At times both funny and poignant, this book is an excellent read. ..Brings up good discussion questions for older readers. "

- Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries (SWON)

"This story moved quickly and had very likeable characters; even Arthur was loveable. Harvey tackles a tough question with wit and humor. Royce is a solid teenage character who faces several hardships and manages to keep going. ..Worth purchasing for collections that are looking for books to satisfy boy readers. Recommended. "

- Library Media Connection

"Harvey's characters are multidimensional, genuine, flawed, and funny. What could have been a maudlin story about the decline and death of a beloved grandparent is instead a credible and insightful tale of a cynical teen, a crusty old man, and minor characters who add texture, snorts of laughter, and even sympathy to the story. Ethical dilemmas aren't in short supply, but they arise realistically and without pat solutions. For readers both with and without vile-tempered-yet-engaging granddads of their own. "

- Booklist

"An uplifting story—a Driving Miss Daisy in Victoria, with a teenage boy and a cranky old man. "

- BC Bookworld