As Brave As You

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 and—being a curious kid—Genie peppers Grandpop with questions about how he covers 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 show more 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? show less

Definitely deserves awards and shelf space in classrooms and libraries... important for any MG reader, not just for 'diversity.' (In fact, race & culture play a very small role, though not absent.) But even better, it's a fun read: Interesting people; not just 'quirky characters' but authentic people. Interesting adventure: nothing contrived that requires absence of adults but just the kinds of things that could really happen. Interesting slice-of-life: lots of things we'll never know the end or result of. but can see pointers and draw our own conclusions, write our own epilogue in our imaginations.

That being said, if there's a sequel I am interested, and I will consider other books by the author.

Eleven-year-old Genie is nervous to be spending a whole month of his summer vacation (with his older brother, Ernie, Jr.) at his paternal grandparents’ house. Not only is this Brooklyn native unprepared for life in the country (no cell signal or internet?!), it’s the first time his family has seen his grandparents in ten years, and there’s a lot of information to process. His parents are taking time away from Genie and Ernie, Jr. to sort through their issues. How did he not know Grandpop is blind? What's going on with his dad and Grandpop? Why is the tea so sweet? Genie is fond of questions in general and has a habit of writing them down (and numbering them) to be answered at the next opportunity. Some questions can be answered show more with a skilled Google search (oh wait—no internet!), but he’s old enough to learn that some questions cannot be easily answered with a fact or two in this thoughtful, engaging book that explores the intergenerational bonds of family and the power of family secrets. I appreciated the fact that this story is rooted in circumstances specific to the African American experience in the U.S. but will resonate thematically with audiences of all backgrounds. The tone of the book is often humorous, but it’s not afraid to tackle serious topics. This book is appropriate for tweens who enjoy realistic fiction with complex characters that centers on family. The audiobook, which is available on OverDrive, is also excellent!

Rachel H. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds features two young brothers, Ernie and Genie who go to their grandparent's house in Nebraska, away from their Brooklyn home in the summer.

I listened to this on audiobook and it was perfect. Guy Lockard added so much humour and energy to the reading that it really enhanced the whole book for me. The banter between the brothers is perfect and Genie, a young boy who just can't stop writing down and asking questions, is the perfect balance of reflective and cheeky.

As Brave as You deals with some seriously big issues of masculinity, being a man and even trauma. The thing that I like about middle grade is it is able to touch on really big issues without being made too serious or inaccessible. Kids are show more emotional and deserve to have their experiences and others' experiences reflected in books.

What I liked about this book was it touched on so many thoughts about masculinity and being a man through topics like fatherhood and familial responsibility. Genie's grandfather, who's blind, owns a gun and regularly takes out every night to clean it. Genie, of course, has many questions. Why does he own a gun if he's blind? How does he know he's putting it back together correctly? What kind of gun was it? etc. etc. etc.

This book wasn't perfect by any means -- the dovetail ending didn't feel all that great, and it felt a little rushed. Sometimes I had a few problems, but overall, I seriously enjoyed it.

Authentic, funny and sometimes sweet, As Brave as You drips with black boy joy, as it well should. show less

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 show more 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? show less

As brave as you talks about how growing up involves learning the truth about yourself, your family, and what real courage looks like. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely put it in my classroom, although I think this book would be best for 4-5th graders.

Brooklyn-born Genie and his older brother Ernie spend part of a summer with their grandparents in rural Virginia while their parents go to Jamaica. Ernie immediately develops a crush on neighbor girl Tess; Genie is surprised that his grandpa is blind, but pleased that Grandpa is willing to answer his endless stream of questions, which he keeps in list form. The boys adapt to country life - picking peas, going to the flea market, flinging dog Samantha's poop from the yard into the woods, and learning some family history. When Ernie turns 14, family tradition dictates he learn to shoot, which Genie is excited about - but Ernie doesn't want to. And in fact, the kickback knocks out Ernie's front teeth, causing an overdue confrontation show more between the boys' dad and grandpa.

Quotes

"Well, I guess I gotta figure out how to get as brave as you, Little Wood." (Grandpop to Gene, 113)

Can you be trapped and safe at the same time? (177)

"But it's always the smart ones, the ones who know it all, who make the most mistakes." (Grandpop to Ernie, 289)

"...you gotta let me be, okay?"
Let him be? Let him be what? Sad? Guilty? (328)

Turned out Grandpop was pretty much mad about everything, and had been for a long, long time. (356)

Gene hated when his mom told him to go to bed after he'd seen something that was going to keep him awake, for like, the rest of his life. Go to bed for what? It wasn't like he could sleep. (361)

"I'ont have a story, Grandpop. But I do have a question," Genie said.
"Ah. Of course you do. Okay, well, shoot." (386) show less