76 pages • 2 hours read
As Brave As You
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
410
Novel • Fiction
Virginia • Contemporary
2016
Middle grade
10-14 years
750L
Super Short Summary
In Jason Reynolds' As Brave As You, 11-year-old Genie and his 13-year-old brother Ernie spend a summer with their estranged grandparents in Virginia while their parents work on their marriage. They bond with their blind grandfather, explore the area, and navigate complex family dynamics, ultimately rethinking concepts of bravery and manhood. The novel tackles themes of grief, disability, and race.
Emotional
Heartwarming
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
9,284 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jason Reynolds' As Brave As You has been praised for its impactful storytelling and relatable characters. The novel thoughtfully addresses themes like family and bravery, resonating with both young and adult readers. Some critique the pacing as slow, but the engaging writing and emotional depth make it a compelling read overall.
Who Should Read As Brave As You?
A reader who enjoys As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds likely appreciates heartfelt, coming-of-age stories with rich, relatable characters. Fans of Reynolds’ other works, such as Ghost, or Sharon M. Draper's Out of My Mind, will find similar themes of personal growth, family dynamics, and resilience here.
9,284 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ernie
Ernie
Genie’s 13-year-old brother, displaying outward confidence but hiding vulnerability, participates in a shooting rite and has a mutual crush on Tess.
Brooke (Grandpop)
Brooke (Grandpop)
Genie and Ernie’s grandfather, a former military sharpshooter now facing blindness, who maintains strong independence and slowly moves beyond old coping mechanisms.
Tess
Tess
A local teenage girl who forms a crush on Ernie, embodying the active and practical nature of the small-town community, with lively and decisive energy.
Uncle Wood
Uncle Wood
A figure absent from the narrative, whose military service and death significantly influence his family’s dynamics, leaving a legacy of courage balanced with vulnerability.
410
Novel • Fiction
Virginia • Contemporary
2016
Middle grade
10-14 years
750L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.