Review of Summer of Brave by Amy Noelle Parks

 

Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review/ Middle Grade March

Synopsis: "Twelve-year-old Lilla Baxter-Willoughby doesn't lie. She's just a little bit...selective. To keep her parents happy, Lilla hides how much she hates moving back and forth between their houses, and she stomps down her doubts about that elite high school they're pushing her toward. To keep peace with her best friend Vivi, Lilla doesn't share that she got the junior camp counselor job that Vivi wanted. And even though--no, especially because--he seems into it, Lilla does not tell the boy she grew up with about all the little sparks that flared up inside her the day she noticed his Suddenly Adorable Freckles. 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."

My Review:  Gosh, if there was every a character I could relate to as a young girl, Lilla is it! The quiet, reserved girl who keeps her mouth shut so she doesn't upset anyone around her and does her best to keep everyone happy and meet everyone's expectations. I completely sympathized with amount of pressure she is under throughout the book. I really enjoyed watching her grow throughout the Summer Wish. While this book already has a pretty important topic about being brave and speaking up for yourself, it also adds in the topic of guy behavior towards women and girls. I really like the term used in this book of 'street harassment', it captures what every female experiences at some point in their life, often way too young to handle it. I like the way that the situation is handled in the story in the long run, Parks doesn't wave a magic wand and make it all okay with the story, she shows how often concerns are brushed aside. Really a beautifully written book and an important one as well.

My Rating: This was such a great book, the way the issues are raised, the way Lilla grows as a character and the challenges she faces are all handled so well.  I give this one a rating of Four Paws and highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find out more about Amy Noelle Parks and her books on her Goodreads Page.

Summer of Brave was just released on March 1st so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital format now from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or you can request it at your local library or bookstore.