Ben Philippe

Ben Philippe is a writer and screenwriter. He is the author of the novel The Field Guide to the North American Teenager.  Born in Haiti and raised in Montreal, Canada, he teaches film studies and screenwriting at Barnard College. Charming as a Verb (Balzer + Bray) introduces us to Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger. He can charm just about anyone. A star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, he is the dutiful first-generation Haitian son, and the trusted dog walker for his wealthy New York City neighbors. But his easy smiles mask a burning ambition to attend his dream college, Columbia University. There is only one person who seems immune to Henri’s charms: his classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henri’s less-than-honest dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at school. Henri agrees, seeing a potential upside for himself. Soon, what started as a mutual hustle turns becomes something surprising. Charming as a Verb is a novel about the countless hustles we have to keep from doing the hardest thing: being ourselves. Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, in a starred review, called “Henri’s narrative swagger effortlessly charms the reader, but it’s his growing self-awareness that gives this delightful novel its depth… An intelligently narrated romance with plenty of witty banter and a diverse cast.”