Summer of Brave

By Amy Noelle Parks

A truth dare threatens to unravel Lilla's carefully balanced life.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 444 ratings

240 pages

$9.99Save 4%

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Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old Lilla Baxter-Willoughby faces a daring challenge: tell the truth during her Summer of Brave. As she navigates academic pressure, her parents' divorce, and the #MeToo movement, Lilla fears that honesty might topple her world. But could revealing her true desires be exactly what she needs? Dive into a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and courage, where the stakes are as high as Lilla's dreams. Will she find the bravery to speak her truth, or will silence keep her safe?

From the publisher

Kirkus Best Middle-Grade Family Stories of 2021 School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Books 2021 The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2022, Bank Street College STARRED REVIEW! “With compassion, wry humor, and pinpoint accuracy, Parks weaves the multiple challenges facing adolescent girls into a compelling, seamless narrative. Timely, insightful, and highly recommended.”–Kirkus Reviews starred review STARRED REVIEW! “A first purchase for middle grade collections as well as book clubs for this age range.”–School Library Journal starred review A heartfelt coming-of-age story set in the time of academic pressure, divorce, and the #MeToo movement. Twelve-year-old Lilla Baxter-Willoughby doesn’t lie. She’s just a little bit…selective. So when Vivi dares Lilla to start telling the truth as part of their Summer of Brave, Lilla hesitates. Because if she says out loud what she really wants, her whole life might crash down around her. And she doesn’t need that. Except maybe she does.

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