As Brave As You

Libbys Literary Corner for Young Readers, Ages 10 and up, Grades 5 and up: Jason Reynolds, author of Ghost has written another winner, literally, in as brave as you. This novel earned the Schneider Family Book Award for a story that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences as well as the Coretta Scott King Honor award for a book on Peace, Non-Violent Social Change and Brotherhood. Brothers Genie and Ernie are left with their southern grandparents way out in the country for a LONG summer month while their parents try to work things out. Genie is the serious kid, the one with a hundred questions and Google generally on speed-dial. Unfortunately Grandma doesnt have a computer, a serious problem for Genie. He has even more questions in this new environment like why does visually impaired Grandpop refuse to leave the house? Grits? What, exactly, are they? Where is Sam Hill? I thought we were in North Hill. The questions are endless, keeping him up at night. Ernie, on the other hand, almost fourteen, is a ladys man and provides the saving grace for Genie when they befriend a young neighbor, Tess, who does have a computer. Tesss rifle-toting dad, Crab, drives Grandma crazy and maintains a questionable relationship with Grandpop, leaving money and bottles each time he visits. Reclusive Grandpop spends solitary hours in a soundproof jungle haven with caged swallows, reminiscent of the mysterious deserted yellow country house Genie and Ernie discover. Why is there a tree growing right up through the middle of the house? Who spends time there? What attracts the hundreds of birds to that house? Genie and Ernie are stretched to the limit in their coming-of-age season with Grandma and Grandpop. They learn the value of hard work, the importance of integrity, the many faces of fear and the incredible healing power of love and forgiveness. (My husband Jim thoroughly enjoyed this novel, too.)

It\’s only June, but I\’ll predict this to be the 2016 Newberry Award winner. Genie and Ernie, brothers from Brooklyn, go to spend the summer with their Grandparents in rural Virginia. They\’re in for a lot of changes. No cell phone reception, chores, and getting to know their grandparents who they only know from phone calls before. Ernie, the elder, is brave, confident, and cool. Genie is intellectual, perpetually anxious, and afraid. The biggest change is perhaps dealing with their grandfather, who is (to their surprise) totally blind, and perhaps a little crazy. But Genie quickly makes a close bond with his Grandfather, while Ernie is bonding with the pretty girl down the hill. The plot explores fear and bravery, guilt and forgiveness. Every little element of the book has meaning. Jason Reynolds crafts a beautiful story, perfectly paced, with likable and believable characters. Though written for young adults, I would think most adults who enjoy good fiction would love it as well. I certainly did.

Although AS BRAVE AS YOU started off slowly, it got better and better; I found myself wondering WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? I loved the relationship that the brothers shared, appreciated the bond that Genie enjoyed with his peculiar grandfather, and was happy (yes, happy) to see the book mention the struggles that Genie\’s parents were going through in their marriage. In those three instances you see the importance of family over \”stuff,\” you see the everyday struggles that we all face and you see yourself in the pages. You realize that you are not alone, and that if the characters might have had a hard go of it for a bit and managed to move past it—you can, too. These are all important lessons that we hope as educators to pass on to our kids. I also like the idea of opening up discussions about what it is \”to be a man,\” cultural and gender biases, and mutual respect for one another. There are strong examples and non-examples throughout the book. The fact that this is an African-American family is a bonus because of our need to place diverse books on those shelves, but it never felt contrived or an especially important part of the story. Aren\’t we all humans, after all? Jason Reynolds is a highly-regarded author, and for good reason. I look forward to book talking this one in the fall to my readers.

Felt right and home with this book. I\’m by no means a youth. But I still enjoyed this book. I remember my summer trips from my home city, Philadelphia, to the backwoods of Virginia. The characters were very relatable and the story was heartfelt. it was a long slow read with no big plot. Just a summer tale. i enjoyed the journey.

Buen pedido

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