As Brave As You

Jason Reynolds

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).

“One of the first things I think young people, especially nowadays, should learn is how to see for yourself and listen for yourself and think for yourself”

“History is not there for you to like or dislike it is there for you to learn from it and if it offends you even better because you are less likely to repeat it. It's not yours to erase; it belongs to all of us.”

“By understanding history we have a common ground to understand each other.”

“Education takes place in the combination of the home the community the school and the receptive mind.”

“There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honouring our struggle and ancestors by remembering.”

“Before we even attempt to teach children, we want them to know each of them is unique and very special. We want them to like themselves to want to achieve and care about themselves.”

“Education heels gives new information new knowledge of who they are and what they are.”

“Education is creating not limiting and destroying.”

“You may not have been born in Africa but Africa was born in you.”