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Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · December 23, 2020

Review | Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard

Book Review | Brave Like That

Summary: Brave Like That

Cyrus Olson does not think he’s “brave like that.” He’s not brave like his adoptive firefighter father who was also a star football player in his day. Although he plays football for his school team, he does not enjoy it, and would much rather be doing something else, but he’s afraid to let his dad (and the town that knows him to be an Olson) down. But Cyrus gets some motivation to stand up for himself and his desires when a dog is abandoned at the fire station (just like Cyrus was).

Cyrus’s father sends to dog to a shelter, warning him not to get attached — even though Cyrus already is. At school, Cyrus also deals with another set of challenges. First, he struggles with reading comprehension. Then, as Cyrus tries to disengage from the football team and pursue interests, he observes some changes in his football friends’ behaviors. They especially begin to bully a new immigrant kid named Eduardo. Is Cyrus brave enough to stand up for the right thing?


The Good

The writing is this book — and Cyrus’s voice — goes straight to the heart. Cyrus’s tender relationships with his father and then with Parker, the dog are moving and sweet. Anyone who has lived in the shadow of a popular, well-loved parent will empathize with Cyrus’s feelings. I liked Cyrus’s relationship with his grandmother who was dealing with loss of speaking ability in the aftermath of a stroke, as well as his new friendship with the Humane Seven (you’ll have to read to get this)!

A central theme in this book is identity and unlearning toxic masculinity. Characters like Leo at the fire station and Marcus and the other boys on the football team who essentially brand sensitivity as weakness or being uncool. I liked the gentle way the author unveils the problematic thinking, especially using the new firefighter Sam. Something else I liked was the incorporation of books throughout the story. Although Cyrus is entering middle school, his teacher makes them read a new picture book every day, which is easier for someone who struggled with comprehension.

There could be more dog content in this book, but better something than nothing! Kids who enjoy books about dogs will love meeting Parker and seeing his connection with Cyrus, as well as reading about Cyrus’s time working with dogs at the Humane Society.


The Bad

It depends on who’s reading, but I know that R.J. Palacio’s Wonder gets a bad rap from the disability community for poor disability representation. Unfortunately, Cyrus reads the book for most of the story. Just a heads up.


Overall: Brave Like That

Brave Like That is a refreshing look at what it means to be a “man” and the journey to finding one’s identity in the world — or at least exploring enough options. Cyrus is a kindhearted, sensitive protagonist who shows readers that there are different ways to be brave. This book tackles a variety of important themes, from bullying to grandparent love to adoption and more. If you enjoy heartfelt coming-of-age stories, this will be right up your alley. I’m looking forward to reading my next Stoddard book — Right as Rain.


Buy This Book

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I listened to the audiobook on Scribd. You can get two free months if you sign up using my link.

Have you read this book or any others by Lindsey Stoddard? Which of her books is your favorite? You can find more books for fifth graders here and some for sixth graders in this post.

More Boy Book Reviews

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  • Dough Boys by Paula Chase
  • One Last Shot by John David Anderson
  • Slider by Pete Hautman

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Posted In: Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · Tagged: adoption, animal stories, boy books, bullying, dog stories, friendship, grandparent stories, sports

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My 13 Favorite Middle-Grade Books Read in 2020

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If you love layered middle grade books that still If you love layered middle grade books that still manage to be fun and relatable and accessible to tweens, don’t miss this fall release! Sometimes I thought I was reading a book for adults! Especially with the tough issues Bishop explores during the Dad chapters, which are told in 3rd person (unlike the girls who narrate in first person)!

#sportsbooks #middlegradebooks #mglit
✨lifetime favorite✨ I’m not a big re-reader ✨lifetime favorite✨

I’m not a big re-reader but if I had to re-read favorite middle grade titles, this would be at the top of my list! Clea is a highly motivated middle schooler who’s finding it harder and harder to keep up with school work. Her thoughts keep jumping around and the only time she can really focus is when she’s playing chess. Soon, she’s diagnosed with ADHD and has to find ways to work with the way her brain functions.

I love the way this book deflates stereotypes about the condition and shows just how much effort people with ADHD have to exert to function in a neurotypical world. With an unforgettable voice and strong themes of friendship, family, and crossing over from childhood to teenage years, Focused is a memorable read. 

I would strongly recommend this one for anyone curious about ADHD, chess lovers, and anyone who’s ever squabbled with a best friend.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

#adhd #bookstagram #mglit
✨how ‘bout a little virtual reality?✨

☀️ Addie has reluctantly moved across the country with her dad for his summer job in the virtual reality industry. He's working on research to use VR for therapeutic purposes, such as helping people cultivate empathy. Addie is not into VR, but that starts to change when she meets Matteo another kid on campus, and tries out VR on her own. Eventually, the two find a helpful use for VR that helps other people.

🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨ 🗺 ✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨

🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

#amreading #mglit #middlegrade
My current adult reads! HAPPY TRAVELER is a non- My current adult reads! 

HAPPY TRAVELER is a non-fiction title about making travel work for you and creating enjoyable, memorable experiences. So far, I’m enjoying the author’s musings on travel.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL is a bookstagram darling (need I say more?) and I already know I’ll be reading it for a while. It’s one of those books that really forces you to slow down. The writing is so tender; it feels like the author loves her characters ❤️

#bookstagram #amreading #readersofinstagram
✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨ 🤓 ✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨

🤓 Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. 

❤️ This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people.

#graphicnovel #middleschoolbooks #kidlit
Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find that buzzy books are often worth the hype. Even the few people who dislike them tend to have STRONG feelings about them 👀 which to me is a sign that the story got to you somehow. Of course, not every book is for every reader — hype or not. I share my tip for finding a hyped book that matches your reading tastes.

Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

#reader #bookstagram #unpopularopinions
✨a different kind of sunshine✨ I loved this g ✨a different kind of sunshine✨

I loved this graphic memoir about the author’s time as a counselor at a camp for kids with cancer. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I totally get the appeal.

This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

#graphicnovel #kidlit #yareader
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