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A review by djl
Brave by Svetlana Chmakova
5.0
Update (7/27/17): OMG, I'm so thrilled about this recent news--"Chmakova’s next graphic novel, Crush—it will focus on Jorge, a popular Hispanic character from Brave—will be published in fall 2018 under the JY imprint." (news from Publisher's Weekly)
~~~
Having read Brave twice, I feel able to review this amazing and powerful follow-up to Awkward. I have enjoyed and still enjoy both of these middle grade titles taking place in Berrybrook Middle School. The opening volume, Awkward, has more of a lighter feel to the overall tone of the story, though there is the pressure-filled section in the climax. However, it was more comedic, at least to me, and I stand by that having re-read it numerous times since purchasing my copy.
Brave feels like a much deeper story, and perhaps that's because it really resonates with me. I really relate to Jensen's situation and what he goes through in the story because I feel it's honest. Middle School can be (if not IS) one of the most difficult times in growing up. Sure, there are wonderful times spent with friends of shared interests, but there are also the trying times when you are trying to figure out where you fit into the mix. Readers get to see Jensen as he goes through each day, both his struggles (dealing with various bullies) and his happiness (spending time with the Art Club and the Newspaper crew).
But what Chmakova really does well is show just how narrow Jensen's focus is about school and his fellow classmates and how that perspective shifts when his focus expands. As Jensen's understanding grows and he starts to ponder about his school and the role he plays in it, readers also start to understand what is happening in the school's behavioral culture. The Newspaper crew, Jenny and Akilah, feel really ahead of their time (and possibly academic level) with their presentation on the effects of the lizard brain. But it's their assignment that brings the situation to light for Jensen and help him realize just what he is going through in school each day.
I really love the various characters in both Awkward and Brave, though it seemed to stand out much more in Brave. Jensen's friendship circle slowly widens from just the Art Club to include others like Jorge and Olivia from the Athletics Club and his math tutor, Aaron, a disabled student. Even the background characters seem to have a life all their own, even if Jensen considers them "game monsters" at the beginning of the story. I'm really hoping that Chmakova has plans to continue with the Berrybrook crew in future volumes, but if not, I shall enjoy reliving both Peppi and Jensen's stories.
P.S. Y'all know Svetlana Chmakova's practically an auto-buy author for me just because of her adorable art style, right? Check out her work at your local library or bookstore! *end of shameless plug*
~~~
Having read Brave twice, I feel able to review this amazing and powerful follow-up to Awkward. I have enjoyed and still enjoy both of these middle grade titles taking place in Berrybrook Middle School. The opening volume, Awkward, has more of a lighter feel to the overall tone of the story, though there is the pressure-filled section in the climax. However, it was more comedic, at least to me, and I stand by that having re-read it numerous times since purchasing my copy.
Brave feels like a much deeper story, and perhaps that's because it really resonates with me. I really relate to Jensen's situation and what he goes through in the story because I feel it's honest. Middle School can be (if not IS) one of the most difficult times in growing up. Sure, there are wonderful times spent with friends of shared interests, but there are also the trying times when you are trying to figure out where you fit into the mix. Readers get to see Jensen as he goes through each day, both his struggles (dealing with various bullies) and his happiness (spending time with the Art Club and the Newspaper crew).
But what Chmakova really does well is show just how narrow Jensen's focus is about school and his fellow classmates and how that perspective shifts when his focus expands. As Jensen's understanding grows and he starts to ponder about his school and the role he plays in it, readers also start to understand what is happening in the school's behavioral culture. The Newspaper crew, Jenny and Akilah, feel really ahead of their time (and possibly academic level) with their presentation on the effects of the lizard brain. But it's their assignment that brings the situation to light for Jensen and help him realize just what he is going through in school each day.
I really love the various characters in both Awkward and Brave, though it seemed to stand out much more in Brave. Jensen's friendship circle slowly widens from just the Art Club to include others like Jorge and Olivia from the Athletics Club and his math tutor, Aaron, a disabled student. Even the background characters seem to have a life all their own, even if Jensen considers them "game monsters" at the beginning of the story. I'm really hoping that Chmakova has plans to continue with the Berrybrook crew in future volumes, but if not, I shall enjoy reliving both Peppi and Jensen's stories.
P.S. Y'all know Svetlana Chmakova's practically an auto-buy author for me just because of her adorable art style, right? Check out her work at your local library or bookstore! *end of shameless plug*