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wollstonecrafty's review against another edition
2.0
yeesh this was rough. just because adolescence is clunky doesn’t mean middle grade prose has to be! see david treuer’s review on the potential and shaky execution: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/books/review/the-brave-james-bird.html
melinda_and_her_books's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful middle grade story about a boy who has OCD. He has a condition where he finds himself counting every letter that is spoken to him. It is a quirk that makes him a Target for Bullys. After requesting to go to yet another school Collins Dad who has never really been accepting of his condition decides to send him to live on a reservation with his biological Mom. Collin and his Dad have never been close. It was almost like they just learned to coexist together and thats it. Collin very quickly learns that the people on the reservation are a lot more understanding of his condition. He begins to make friends and overcome his fears. He starts to become BRAVE.
I absolutely loved this book. As a mom to a child who is autistic, has ADHD and anxiety I could relate. I also have anxiety and ADHD so I was able to relate to it for myself as well.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my gifted copy.
I absolutely loved this book. As a mom to a child who is autistic, has ADHD and anxiety I could relate. I also have anxiety and ADHD so I was able to relate to it for myself as well.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my gifted copy.
amy_05's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
singular_coyote's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
This was a wonderful read and I couldn't get enough. Collin has a counting habit; he counts the letters of all the things people say to him and then he announces how many letters their communication was. This creates problems with people around him because they get annoyed or confused. His dad loathes it and he is a target of bullies at school. Home is not so great; his single father drinks a lot and is not emotionally present. So the decision is made to send Collin from California to Minnesota, to live with his mom who he has never met who lives on an Ojibwe reservation. Things are chill in Minnesota, and his mom and grandma take him as he is. He meets his beautiful and mysterious neighbor Orenda, who is about his age. Romance ensues. But Orenda is changing from her human form into butterfly form, and this is when the magical realism of the book takes off and the reader has to go with it. He learns about his brother Aji, and starts to physically and mentally train under Orenda's tutelage. School is still tough and Collin is still counting, but he has several moments of forgetting to count. There are a few mysteries to be solved. And there is a puzzle throughout the book that you can solve while you are reading or when you are done. Super smart. The chapters speed by and I read a lot in one sitting; the story draws you in. Beautifully written about learning to be brave and to be yourself. That sounds simple, but it's told in a most unique way. A must read.
chickchick22's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much! I literally full on sobbed during the sad scenes. (I don't wanna give anything away, but I'm sure that if you've read it, you know what I'm talking about.) This is one of my favorite books ☺️
knynas1's review against another edition
5.0
5 ⭐
Wow! This story was so beautifully told. A coming of age story about family, friendship, bullying, self-acceptance, and the privilege of life. I laughed, cried, sighed, and held my breath. I particularly LOVED the last two chapters and the Easter egg planted so cleverly by the author. Stunning!
Wow! This story was so beautifully told. A coming of age story about family, friendship, bullying, self-acceptance, and the privilege of life. I laughed, cried, sighed, and held my breath. I particularly LOVED the last two chapters and the Easter egg planted so cleverly by the author. Stunning!
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
5.0
This book has all of the elements that make a middle grade book great: an underdog protagonist, a found family, true friendship, problems that appear to be insurmountable at first glance, and the ability to pull on the reader's heartstrings. Making me tear up gives the author bonus points.
Learning about Ojibwe customs and beliefs is something I haven't read before in middle grade, much less elsewhere. I can't wait to read Bird's next book. I'd highly recommend this one. A big thank you to Life Between Words.
Learning about Ojibwe customs and beliefs is something I haven't read before in middle grade, much less elsewhere. I can't wait to read Bird's next book. I'd highly recommend this one. A big thank you to Life Between Words.
ayshaheather's review against another edition
5.0
It was a great book about overcoming your fears. It also had a cool hidden message to readers and a letter from the main character. - Kaz age 11