As Brave As You

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What does it mean when people say they are “estranged” from a family member? What are some of the reasons that family members might become estranged? If a child’s parents or guardians are estranged from other family members, how might this impact the child?

Teaching Suggestion: The plot of As Brave as You centers on Genie’s getting to know an estranged family member, discovering the reasons for the estrangement, and accepting that the adults in his family are imperfect and do not always cope with their emotions in optimal ways. This question is intended to ensure that students understand the concept of estrangement before reading and to give them insight into the confusion and struggles Genie faces. If “estrangement” is not a term your students have encountered before, you might show the video linked below or share a similar resource before asking them to complete this prompt. Some students may face similar struggles in their own families. If you have concerns about how to support students facing family estrangements, the second resource linked below may help.

• This 6-minute video interview with a psychologist offers a thoughtful explanation of how estrangement happens.
• This article from Parents Magazine offers background information on family estrangement and a discussion of the ways it impacts children. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)

2. When parents or guardians are having trouble in their relationship with one another, what are some of the ways this conflict might impact children?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt is intended to help students empathize with Genie’s situation. Many students will have encountered conflict between their parents or guardians, and this question may surface uncomfortable feelings. You will know best whether your students can create a safe environment for a verbal discussion of this issue or if this prompt is best answered in writing. The resources linked below offer information that can assist you in introducing this prompt and/or leading a related discussion.

• This article from the BBC discusses the differing impacts of different forms of parental conflict. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)
• This article from the Institute for Family Studies offers research into the impacts of parental conflict on children. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

In the book you are about to read, the main character must spend the summer in a place that is very different from his usual surroundings. Have you ever had an experience like this? Have you ever spent time in an unfamiliar place or with unfamiliar people? How might people feel in situations like this?

Teaching Suggestion: Although this question is primarily intended to activate students’ empathy for the novel’s main character, it is also a good opportunity to introduce the literary concept of the “fish out of water” story. Either before or after students respond to this prompt, you might define the term and then ask students what kinds of “fish out of water” stories they have encountered in books, movies, games, and other media.