As Brave As You — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
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?
Frequently asked questions
Is As Brave As You appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book includes references to schoolyard fights resulting in injuries, a man dying in war, and another man committing suicide due to PTSD. Additionally, it mentions a man being burned to death in a house fire as retaliation for theft, and children being taught to shoot guns at age 14 for self-defense. The narrative includes elements that may be considered scary, such as the mystery surrounding the grandfather and a creepy house in the woods, which contribute to the protagonist's feelings of fear and uncertainty.
Does As Brave As You have violence?
The book includes references to schoolyard fights resulting in injuries, a man dying in war, and another man committing suicide due to PTSD. Additionally, it mentions a man being burned to death in a house fire as retaliation for theft, and children being taught to shoot guns at age 14 for self-defense.
Does As Brave As You have scary content?
The narrative includes elements that may be considered scary, such as the mystery surrounding the grandfather and a creepy house in the woods, which contribute to the protagonist's feelings of fear and uncertainty.
Does As Brave As You have religious themes?
No religious content detected in the search results for 'As Brave As You'. The narrative does not include religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies.
Does As Brave As You have racial/cultural content?
Author is known for writing about race and racial justice themes. While the author is known for addressing racial themes in other works, the search results do not indicate that race is a central theme in 'As Brave As You'. The focus is on the personal growth of the characters rather than explicit discussions of race or racism.
Does As Brave As You have profanity?
The book contains mild name-calling and phrases such as 'What in the Sam Hill?' with one instance each of 'pissed' and 'PO'd'.
Does As Brave As You have climate change?
No climate themes detected in the search results for 'As Brave As You'. The story focuses on personal and familial themes rather than environmental issues.
Does As Brave As You have sexual identity?
No sexual content detected in the search results for 'As Brave As You'. The narrative focuses on themes of bravery and family without references to sexual themes or content.
Does As Brave As You have gender roles?
The narrative explores themes of bravery and masculinity, particularly through the lens of the two brothers, Genie and Ernie, as they grapple with what it means to be brave and the expectations of manhood. This suggests a critique of traditional gender expectations.
Does As Brave As You have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes detected in the search results for 'As Brave As You'. The content primarily focuses on the experiences of two brothers and does not mention LGBTQ+ characters or themes.
