I Be Brave is more than a brave story

Young adult novels are a huge industry, so much so that as an adult, I’ve read more than a few. Some are worthy of their fame, many are not. One very thin genre is the historical young adult novel, and that’s one of many reasons Gretchen Carlson’s books, 2022’s More than Grit and the 2025 follow-up, I Be Brave, are wroth reading. In fact, I found it easy to picture it as a movie – if thoughtfully made by the Hallmark Channel or PBS.

(FYI – I believe you can read I Be Brave without reading More Than Grit, but because of the author’s gift of character development, reading More Than Grit first does make Sissy’s story more powerful in I Be Brave

More than Grit tells the story of a young girl’s determination to bring electricity to her family’s farm. Making a secret deal with the local grumpy “Old Man” she works to earn money that she sets aside in her quest. Set in the 1930’s, you get to experience a little of what life was like during World War II on a farm that relies on kerosene lanterns. You walk alongside Sissy as she finds a strength in herself she didn’t know she had.

I was excited when the author decided to write a follow-up to the story. Not a sequel, as the story stands on its own quite well. But it’s another step on Sissy’s journey as she continues to grow and find strength.

I Be Brave is a sweet and beautiful young adult story that perfectly captures the feelings of being young. At its heart is the friendship between Sissy and Henry; two characters whose connection grows slowly and sweetly tenderly over the course of the book. It’s a fantastic follow-up to More Than Grit which won a well-deserved award. This one is sure to be considered as well.

Told from Sissy’s perspective, the story pulls you into her world so it feels as though you are living each moment alongside her. The author’s gift for vivid, heartfelt writing makes every scene come alive. You can see the sunlight, feel the blades of grass, and picture the wheat fields from the back of a pickup truck right alongside the characters.

The author integrates the backdrop of World War II into the lives of the characters, and helps you picture how the rural Midwest experienced that time in America’s history. But it never feels forced or awkward, but purposeful and richly adds to the story.

This is more than just a story about friendship; it’s a reminder of the courage it takes to open up to others, to be honest about what you are going through, and work your way through grief in community. I Be Brave is a memorable read that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

You can pre-order I Be Brave here.