Q&A with Wesley King

 

 

 

 

Wesley King is the author of the new middle grade novel Benny on the Case. His other books include the middle grade novel Sara and the Search for Normal. He lives in Newfoundland.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Benny on the Case, and how did you create your character Benny?

 

A: The inspiration was very much born out of my surroundings…after moving to Newfoundland, I realized I wanted to share the unique perspective and self-deprecating humor I found here.

 

The main character, Benny, was inspired by personal connections, and he was an absolute joy to write…exploring his relationship with Mosaic Down syndrome and the new people around him helped pull the mystery along.

 

I also wanted to celebrate intergenerational friendships and aging gracefully—things my own grandparents instilled in me—so the setting naturally became a retirement home. I liked the idea of a boy growing up in that environment surrounded by eccentricity and wonderful influences. Mr. Tom is a literary version of my Opa, who played a huge role in my life.

 

Q: As you mentioned, the novel is set in Newfoundland--how important is setting to you in your writing?

 

A: Incredibly important, and something I always focus on (even in fictional, fantasy-driven stories). You always want to write stories within a living, breathing world.

 

Newfoundland is one of those locations that becomes a character in the story…rugged beauty and a vast sense of emptiness, which makes the warmth of its people even more memorable. 

Q: How would you describe the relationship between Benny and Salma?

 

A: At one point in an early draft, Salma was written as the new boy in town. The connection was still sweet, but I found the relationship more interesting and challenging when the exceptionally shy Benny instead became friends with the brilliant new girl in town…and both were subjected to very similar challenges.

 

The relationship became a focal point of the book because it was heartfelt and mutually empowering: Salma helped Benny believe in himself, and Benny helped Salma acclimate to her new home.

 

Q: The School Library Journal review of the book says, “A heartfelt character-driven mystery featuring a neurodivergent male protagonist that explores friendship, belonging, and family, this is a story perfect for fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, Gayle ­Forman’s Not Nothing, and Gordon ­Korman’s Restart.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I’ll take those comparisons any day of the week, and I think Benny shares a lot of aspects with those wonderful stories. I particularly like the mention of “heartfelt” and “character-driven” as I think that’s the key to this particular mystery: The mystery plotline is a framework for growth and hope in the face of change.

 

Benny’s relationship to Salma and Mr. Tom provides the true heart of this story, and it’s through that shared growth that they solve the mystery.

 

This is one of my favorite stories I’ve ever written, and I hope readers feel the same.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I have a few different projects coming out over the next couple years. In 2026, I’ll be releasing the first installment in a brand-new illustrated middle-grade series as well as my adult debut with Emily Bestler Books—an atmospheric murder-mystery called Wolf Season.

 

Follow-ups to both projects will be released in 2027. Readers can check out wesleytking.com for updates.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Only that I hope readers love Benny, Salma, and Mr. Tom as much as I do, and I hope they enjoy a literary vacation to beautiful Newfoundland.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Wesley King.