As Brave As You

Written by Jason Reynolds 

Coretta Scott King Award

 

 

Genie and his brother Ernie are sent to Virginia for the summer to stay with their grandparents while their parents (secretly) navigate their marriage. As if being sent to this new place isn't shocking enough, the brothers are even more shocked to discover that their grandpa is able to navigate his everyday life while being BLIND. The boys both think their grandpa is so brave for living each day and being so cool, without being able to see a thing. However, Genie is quick to think about what it actually means to be brave, after Ernie shows no interest in shooting a gun, something considered to be a mark of bravery in their family. Genie battles with his definition of what bravery actually is throughout the book.

 

I would recommend this book for junior high to high school level students because of how huge of a book it is and because it discusses some heavy topics.