As Brave As You

As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds Reynolds, J. (2016). As Brave As You. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. I just read As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds. You may know Jason Reynolds from his other award-winning books, All American Boys, Ghost, and Long Way Down, among others. As Brave as You is about a boy named Genie (11). He and his brother Ernie (13) have to go stay with their grandparents for the summer—in the rural countryside of Virginia. They are Brooklynites, and the country is completely foreign to them. Not only do they not understand the ways of the country, they don’t really know their grandparents, either. So things are awkward. They get even more uncomfortable when Genie finds out his grandfather is completely blind. Genie’s personality is curious. He constantly asks questions and writes hundreds of questions in his notebook, so he has a few lined up for his grandfather, like “When did you get blind?” and “ . . . you remember what Dad looks like?” But the question he really wants to ask is, “Why you have a gun in your pants?” Why would a blind man carry a gun? As Genie spends time with Grandpop, he learns more about painful pieces of his past. He comes to understand the trauma his grandfather suffered from racist events he experienced as a black man living in the South. He also learns about Grandpop’s plan for his gun. This leads to more questions: Is his Grandpop brave? Is his brother brave? Is he? He’s not sure about any of it anymore. If you have ever read Jason Reynolds, you know what a great writer he is. I really loved the story of city kids adapting to the country lifestyle—and being forced to get to know their grandparents. There is action and some meaty plot, but what’s best about the book—to me—is how it captures Genie’s inner life and emotions—and the quirkiness of the situation and the characters. If you like a well-crafted, character-driven book, this one’s for you!

Libby’s 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 doesn’t 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 lady’s man and provides the saving grace for Genie when they befriend a young neighbor, Tess, who does have a computer. Tess’s 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.)

Love this book so much. Just ordered another copy because a former student nicked it. I don't mind, as long as they are enjoying it! Great story for 5th graders. Thank you, Jason Reynolds!!!

Merriam-Webster defines bravery as “the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty.” Jason Reynolds teaches readers that bravery can be a weakness. “As Brave As You” is a slow, evolving story about two brothers getting to know their grandfather with moments that entertain. It does lack the thrilling plot that today’s young readers expect. The likable and believable characters—although the relationship of the brothers may be too good to be true—makes for an easy read, but don’t rush it or you will miss the layers of meaning. The grandfather has glaucoma and his blindness is an emotional trigger. But beware, the grandfather is not an ideal role model for a young reader because the book focuses on his many flaws. The publisher states that the book is for ages ten and up, however, it includes guns and gore, specifically war stories and dead birds. It would be best for an upper elementary student to read with a parent. Overall, the sprinkles of humor get the reader through what is a worthy lesson about real bravery.

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.

I really didn't want to read diary of a wimpy kid with my son. It is nice reading an award winning book with a protagonist that he can relate 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.

My child had to read this book for school, they had chapter tests weekly in the book. But she would get so far ahead I’d have to tell her to slow down so she didn’t get confused but each time she continued to make hundreds on each test. When she finished the book she came to me ranting and raving about how good the book was! My baby was a reader in her younger years (my little pony) but since then she didn’t like reading she thought it to be a chore. But after she read this book she started to pick up new books at Walmart asking me to buy her more books! Thank you Mr. Jason Reynolds!