Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave by Jen White

3.66 AVERAGE

salazarah's profile picture

salazarah's review against another edition

3.25
adventurous challenging tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
geneween's profile picture

geneween's review

3.75
adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

cocozbooks's review

3.0
For the most part, I liked the story and characters, but had a hard time getting past the girls' resistance to asking for help, even from the adults that seemed to want to help.
virginiagp's profile picture

virginiagp's review

4.0

After her mother is struck by a vehicle and killed, there are many things Liberty is unsure of -- what her mother really wanted done with her ashes, how to deal with her little sister, Billie's, meltdowns, and if her father can be a real father to the two of them after so many years apart. The one thing Liberty knows for certain is that it is her job to care for and protect Billie--no matter what. So- when their dad loses his nerve for parenting and abandons the two girls at a gas station-- Liberty knows that she needs to do whatever she can to ensure that she and Billie will survive, including putting up a brave front to keep Billie from getting as scared as she is.

Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave by Jennifer White is a fast-paced adventure/survival story. Liberty and Billie are characters the reader comes to know and care for through Liberty's narration, her notebook of plans, clippings, and survival tips, and her flashbacks. During the course of the story, the girls encounter a variety of personalities-- some who don't seem to fit the stereotype of a "good Samaritan", but end up proving that looks can be deceiving. Jennifer White has created a story both heart-wrenching and heart-warming in Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave, and definitely one that will grab and hold readers' attention.

I was able to read this book in advance of its publication date through membership in Netgalley.com

kayscr33klibrarian's review

3.0
We read this book for our PTA book club at the school. The idea for the book came from an experience the author had in being left for a short time at a gas station when she was a child. She wondered what it would be like to be abandoned at a gas station (for more than a few hours). In this book two sisters are left by their father. This book is their attempt at staying safe and trying to get back home. The oldest sister, Liberty, loves animals and so she is able to tie their survival strategies into comparisons with animals. While the idea of the book is basic there were some very tough subjects covered in the book. There is the obvious topic of abandonment but there is also, death of a parent, who to trust, mental illness, and abuse (particularly to someone they meet along the way). It was easy enough for our group of fifth and sixth graders to read, but also deep enough that we could have a good discussion about it.

adia_vannfrolo's review

4.25
adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes

linneamo's review

3.0
genre: realistic

summary: Liberty and her little sister find themselves stranded at a gas station. Their father has left them behind. Liberty reflects on the circumstances that lead her there; her mom's death, her father's sudden appearance after years of being away, his erratic behavior. She realizes she needs to focus on keep her and her sister alive and work on getting them back to safety.

notes:

for kids who like: "kids with broken home" books (Secret Hum of a Daisy, One for the Murphys, Small as an Elephant, Footer Davis is Probably Crazy)

age group: age 10+

my review: wasn't a fan of the lists and notes thing (Footer Davis did a better jobs with that type of thing) but I did like Libery and her sister and their relationship.
brandypainter's profile picture

brandypainter's review

3.0
Well written and an attention grabber but SO DEPRESSING.
kb_the_gm's profile picture

kb_the_gm's review against another edition

5.0
This was absolutely a page-turner! I got it for Christmas a few years back from my cousin and I really did enjoy reading it. I will say that it sort of stressed me out to read it, but I would argue that any good book will do that to you!
kb_the_gm's profile picture

kb_the_gm's review

5.0
adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
this was an absolute page-turner! i got it for Christmas a few years back from my cousin and i really did enjoy reading it. i will say that it sort of stressed me out to read it, but i would argue that any good book will do that to you!