Collin has a problem that interferes with all of his relationships. He compulsively totals the number of letters spoken to him and names the sum before he can answer. He is shuttled from school to school by his disconnected, alcoholic father. When Collin finally stands up to a bully, his father sends him from California to live in Minnesota with the mother he has never met. Collin knows next to nothing about his mother an Ojibwa who lives on the reservation. This begins Collin's coming of age in a home that welcomes him and accepts him, including his neighbor Orenda. Orenda is special too. Together they grow in ways that will make you cheer and at the same time break your heart.

The magical realism works so well in this book. Be prepared to suspend your beliefs in the ordinary, laugh, cry, rage, and read all night.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know how I feel about this book. In the beginning, I was spell-bound with Bird's introduction and description of Collin and the challenges he faced as someone who struggled in life because he counted the letters in everyone's sentences as they spoke to him. Imagine what a field day bullies would have with him. His awkward relationship with his disapproving father felt real.

After another bullying incident at school, Collin is sent to live with his mother, an Ojibwe woman he's never met. Here the story turns, and it takes on a mystical, almost fantastical tone. There were elements that didn't feel real to me. His mother and grandmother sound too good to be true. While I appreciated their welcoming words and the way they viewed life, something about them didn't seem realistic.

Orenda, the friend next door, who is facing challenges of her own, offers a beautiful look at life, but I had questions. Why wasn't she in school? Why was her father - so protective - willing to let Collin hang out (and ultimately, make out) with his daughter. Really? Not like any dad I know!

And I guess that's why I'm left a little unhappy. The switch from realistic fiction to fantasy/mysticism felt too abrupt for me to make the transition smoothly.

This book is great at immersing you in Native American culture. It is also an enduring story of friendship (author leads you to believe love between the 13 year olds) Wile a very good story I was angry and bewildered why they wouldn't tell Collin the truth about Orenda disease. And that they lied about the grandmother being dead even though he was always being touched and having conversations with her. Confusion with the fact that Orenda did not seek medical help because she was going to become a butterfly like her mother. What kind of stuff is that to feed to confused middle grade schoolers? I find it sad to lead readers to believe this. I don't believe a 13 year old would develop such a deep relationship with this girl. This life is a mystery to Collin as his first thirteen years of life he has lived with an uncaring father in California and now is to live with his mother on an Indian reservation in Minnesota. Collin has always been a "freak" because he has to count letters the people say, say the number and then continue the conversation. In the end he goes through some mysticism and no longer has this problem. Orenda leaves a letter "preaching" what we should do for people (and animals) in our lives.

The brave isnt just a book you read and put down to collect dust. It's a book you want to re-read over and over again. The feeling you have after reading this book is incredible!! You want to be BRAVE like Orenda, you want to be free spirited like Grandma and Cecelia, Stong and wise like Aji, and you want to connect with nature as Collin learned to do. The Brave makes you not only want to become a better person, but to be the best version of yourself!! The Brave truly inspires you as a person!! This book will make you laugh out loud, it will make you angry ( if you're anything like me), it will make you happy, it will make you want an adventure, and it will definitely make you cry happy and sad tears. This isnt typically the genre I would read, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance!! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book. While it's not released quite yet I highly recommend pre-ordering The Brave and be prepared to have your world rocked!! This book could be world changing if enough read it!! Bottom line: BUY THE BOOK!! I know I will be(:

Collin has a condition where he counts every word that is spoken. As a result, he's constantly bullied at school. When he gets expelled for punching someone that is messing with him by reciting tongue twisters, he gets expelled from school. His single dad decides to send him to live with his mother on an Indian reservation. Through relationships with his long lost mother, a new father, the girl next door and the entire Indian reservation, Collin figures out that being different is ok. Beautiful book in so many ways. absolutely loved it!

This is a delightful and emotional debut from James Bird. In this book, Collin, who has OCD, moves to a reservation to live with his mother whom he has never met before. While there, he learns more about the family he hasn't known and befriends the girl next door, Orenda. This book had it all. The characters were complex. The plot was original, and the ending gives you all the feels. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.