As Brave As You

By: Jason Reynolds

Narrated by: Guy Lockard

Kirkus Award Finalist

Schneider Family Book Award Winner

Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

In this “pitch-perfect contemporary novel” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe Award-winning author Jason Reynolds explores multigenerational ideas about family love and bravery in the story of two brothers, their blind grandfather, and a dangerous rite of passage.

Genie’s summer is full of surprises. The first is that he and his big brother, Ernie, are leaving Brooklyn for the very first time to spend the summer with their grandparents all the way in Virginia—in the COUNTRY! The second surprise comes when Genie figures out that their grandfather is blind. Thunderstruck, Genie peppers Grandpop with questions about how he hides it so well (besides wearing way cool Ray-Bans).

How does he match his clothes? Know where to walk? Cook with a gas stove? Pour a glass of sweet tea without spilling it? Genie thinks Grandpop must be the bravest guy he’s ever known, but he starts to notice that his grandfather never leaves the house—as in NEVER. And when he finds the secret room that Grandpop is always disappearing into—a room so full of songbirds and plants that it’s almost as if it’s been pulled inside-out—he begins to wonder if his grandfather is really so brave after all.

Then Ernie lets him down in the bravery department. It’s his fourteenth birthday, and, Grandpop says to become a man, you have to learn how to shoot a gun. Genie thinks that is AWESOME until he realizes Ernie has no interest in learning how to shoot. None. Nada. Dumbfounded by Ernie’s reluctance, Genie is left to wonder—is bravery and becoming a man only about proving something, or is it just as important to own up to what you won’t do?

Great Read for whole family!

My son's teacher assigned this reading and once I read the description and saw an interview of the author explaining why he writes books like this I purchased a paperback copy for each of my kids and myself and I finished it off with the audible version. Highly entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time. My oldest devoured it in a weekend.

Gives Such a Clear Voice to Adolescents

What a joy to listen to! This story while simple in plot shines light and gives voice to a common African American summer experience. Kudos! Can’t wait to hear more from these rich characters.

So much fun!

If I could give this performance 10 stars, I would! We listened as a family and loved the story. It made us laugh out loud and we repeat the funny lines to each other. Absolutely recommend it!

Awesome read for all ages, but especially for middle graders!

I previewed this for my middle school “reluctant readers”. I totally enjoyed it and will definitely use it. Believable-multi dimensional characters. It touches my heart and really got me thinking. Cool story twists & turns. The narrator is very good too.

Fun and funny

I couldn't put it down. The personalities were vibrant. The narration was captivating. I just couldn't put it down.