Thank you to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for the eGalley to review!

I'm so glad we're in an era of coming of age stories like this where intergenerational trauma and marginalization is openly discussed. Breonna "Bree" Boyd is a young Black girl with way too much responsibility put on her shoulders for the mere fact that she is a Black girl. Her dad is obsessed with reputation and appearances, making it his daughters' problem as well as his own; constantly he tells them that they must do twice the work for half the rewards because they're Black, which means they cannot ever make a mistake and must never slack off (which, in some cases, "slacking off" is taking any sort of break to unwind and rest). He's also hardly ever home, leaving Bree and her sisters to take care of each other while he goes to everything that could possibly make him look good for his political campaign. On top of this, Bree is having to train for the regional spelling bee, deal with bullying at school and complications in her friend group, and try to understand her new powers that have suddenly cropped up. It's a *lot* and there were so many times I was angry on her behalf and wanted to hug her.

So many kids today are in that same position and this story is going to help them find their voice and their own power, so they can make their life their own instead of the "second chance" or an accessory of their parents, or the convenient tool for their "friends". To be fair, Bree herself misreads some situations and complicates things for herself, and this is part of her growth; however, if she had had the proper support she needs in the first place, she wouldn't be jumping to conclusions and belittling herself in an effort to shrink away from her problems. I think the lessons here are going to be good for readers in all the ways that matter. It also helps that Leah Johnson is hilarious and therefore so is Bree in her first person narration.

This book is for all the kids who are constantly being told that excellence is everything, fun is a waste of time, and losers have no place in their family. If you want children to know that they have agency over their own lives, add this one to your collection.

7th grader Bree Boyd loves rules, order, and knowing what's going to happen next. It's why she likes reading the same books over and over; it's why she's the school's reigning spelling bee champ; and, most importantly, it's why she's never minded the high expectations her father has always had for her and her sisters. After all, if you're always the best, life can't throw many surprises at you.

But for the first time, Bree has no idea what the future holds. Because when a huge storm delivers a bolt of lightning straight into Bree, it leaves behind something she never prepared for: the power to move things with her mind.

All of a sudden Bree's life—filled with rules and routine—is twisted upside down and inside out. But will these new powers show Bree the magic of an unpredictable, imperfect life? Or will they simply spell disaster for everyone?

Irresistibly charming, laugh-out-loud funny, and brimming with heart, Leah Johnson’s powerful series about ordinary kids with extraordinary abilities is nothing short of miraculous.

I enjoyed this book, For me, there were some points where it felt like it moved slower than others because there was a lot of character development. I think there may be some themes that go over the heads of middle grade readers, but it's there to challenge them. It could possibly lend itself to a reread to think about more. I found the fantastical elements a little strange, but I might not have if I'd read the first book first.

In BREE BOYD IS A LEGEND, Bree is on her way to being a legendary spelling champion. She is focused on winning, working hard to meet the high expectations held by her father and following in the footsteps of her supportive older sisters. After a lightning strike one fateful night, Bree’s world is turned upside down when she finds she has developed some magical powers. As her life becomes less predictable, Bree will need to figure out how to manage both her newfound powers and the intense pressure she’s feeling to achieve and make her family proud.

Bree is a relatable character, wanting to please but at the same time also wanting to find herself and spend time with her friends. Bree’s relationships with her older sisters stand out here. Each of the sisters has found a different way to manage their dad’s expectations, which adds depth to the characters. The magic adds a fun element to an engaging story about the challenges of the middle school years.

Bree Boy is the school’s reigning spelling bee champ and on her way to becoming the regional champ. She loves rules, knowing what is coming next, and order. Until one storm, she is struck by lightning. Now she has superpowers, the ability to move things with her mind. And her powers are causing her life to be unpredictable. Will Bree learn that life can be magically imperfect? Will she learn to match her powers?

The plot is entertaining, funny, and well written. Bree is a lovable, relatable narrator. Her relationships with her family are believable and realistic. Readers who like magical realism, family fiction, and navigating life will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. 4 stars, Gr 3 to 6.

Let me be obvious:

I adore Leah Johnson. She could write a grocery list, and I'd happily read that.

I adore Bree Boyd. In fact, Bree may be my favorite Leah Johnson character. She had me at page one. Definitions of obscure vocabulary words constantly on replay? I'm there. Especially: "The sounds the trees in the backyard make when the wind blows: psithurism."

Bree's middle school self-doubt and her efforts to make everyone happy are absolutely relatable, and will certainly resonate with the intended audience. Even this seasoned teacher feels Bree's burdens!

And as the story develops, it becomes clear that the friendships are what really makes this story special. (Ellie Engle is a must-read!) Of course, it's also magical realism for the win with me.

I liked this look at Bree and her love of words. I liked seeing the characters from the other book again.
Bree has to learn to control these powers she is given.
She is a strong character, who has to learn a lot along the way.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

5 stars

If you are a fan of Ellie Engle, you are bound to also love Bree Boyd, who does, in fact, live up to her legendary status.

Bree is a relatable middle grader in many ways, and as the youngest child, her two older sisters are always supporting her, even when her single dad, an aspiring politician, comes down hard on all of them. Bree is best known in her community for her expert spelling skills. She's a regular bee winner and poised to go all the way with this particular hobby. Whether that's the best thing for her is another story altogether.

While the magical elements feel a little more like an addition than a necessary part of the plot here, they still bring a lot of fun to the read and middle grade audiences will definitely appreciate the added whimsy. Overall, though, readers will most likely be drawn to Bree's great character, strong friendships, and intriguing family bonds. She may have a dash of magic around her, but who doesn't need that to survive middle school?

I really enjoy this series by Johnson, and I hope that there are many more friends with planned features in future books. I will be here to read them all!

This is a fun story about Breonna, a girl who is an expert speller. Through an unlikely sequence of events, she becomes telekinetic and has to learn to control her powers. This is a sequel to Ellie Engel Saves Herself and the story reprises many of the characters from the first one. Readers who enjoyed the first one will enjoy this one as well.

Breonna "Bree" Boyd comes from a family of high achievers. Her single-parent father is currently running for political office, her oldest sister, Christian is off at law school after practically raising Bree and her sister. Alexa, and Lex is a rebel who does her own thing. Bree is the "perfectly behaved" child who has been channeled into becoming a spelling-bee champ. One night as the power goes out, Bree decides to try and get the power back on to the house by throwing the main breaker. Something goes wrong though and Bree awakes with an astonishing power--like a superhero!

This is a story about using your "powers" to achieve what you want for yourself, not what others decide for you. Are fame and fortune more important than family and friends? Should you make decisions to use your power to hurt perceived enemies or to help yourself or others? Readers who are expecting a lot of Marvel comics superhero antics will not find them here, however if they want a story about family, friends and commitment to one's own goals, this is just right.

The follow up to her fantastic MG debut, Ellie Engle, we now get Bree’s story from @byleahjohnson
🐝
Bree Boyd has GOALS. Ones her father has set for her, but they’re also ones she wants to achieve like winning the school’s spelling bee competition. But when Bree has to move on to the next level of the competition, she finds herself easily distracted after a lightning strike gives her the ability to levitate items & people! Now Bree’s life that used to be routine and planned is spinning out of control!
🐝
This was such well-done middle grade sequel that I might have loved even more than the first and how often does that happen?! This novel was filled with quotes that I couldn’t stop underlining!
“Oh, Beyonce, please purify Bree with your legendariness!”
“Middle school is like a dumpster full of feral cats.”
So many funny and poignant moments in this one. Check it out March 4!

CW: anxiety, classism, abandonment

4.5 ⭐️

Bree Boyd is a fan of knowing what's coming next. She's the school's reigning spelling bee champ, and is on track to become the regional champion. Bree has never minding the high expectations her father has for her and her sisters because it forces her to work hard. However, everything changes when Bree is accidentally struck by lightning during a storm. Now, everything in her life is turned upside down when she suddenly develops powers. Just like her friend Ellie.

Will Bree's powers show her how to let loose a little? Or will they lead her to disaster?


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Review: Bree Boyd is a Legend

By Amanda on February 1, 2025

A stack of books with Review in a box

Title: Bree Boyd is a Legend

Author: Leah Johnson

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication date: March 4, 2025

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Summary
Bree Boyd is a fan of knowing what's coming next. She's the school's reigning spelling bee champ, and is on track to become the regional champion. Bree has never minding the high expectations her father has for her and her sisters because it forces her to work hard. However, everything changes when Bree is accidentally struck by lightning during a storm. Now, everything in her life is turned upside down when she suddenly develops powers. Just like her friend Ellie.

Will Bree's powers show her how to let loose a little? Or will they lead her to disaster?

Review: Bree Boyd is a Legend
Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for an advanced copy of Bree Boyd is a Legend by Leah Johnson to review! Leah Johnson is definitely a favorite of mine, and I love that she's ventured into the middle grade market. Ellie Engle Saves Herself was a favorite of mine last year, so jumping back into that world was fun!

Let's start with the characters. You'll see a lot of familiar faces if you've read the first book, but we also get to meet some new people! Bree is a fantastic narrator, especially as she learns to let go a little. Her dad puts so much pressure on her, and part of her arc is learning how to do things that are fun. Things that are just for her. There are a lot of middle grade readers who will likely relate to her story.

One of the things I loved most was Bree's relationships with her sisters. They all work together to figure out how to communicate to their dad, and they all definitely get to a better place by the end. It feels realistic and relatable, and shows middle school readers that they can have difficult conversations with the adults in their lives.

This is a great read for anyone who loves realistic stories with a touch of magic. If you've been sleeping on Leah Johnson, this is the year to pick up her books!

I recieved a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it,

Bree is good at spelling. Bree has to live up to her father’s expectations and the example her older sisters have set. Bree sometimes feels way too much pressure and doesn’t have enough time with her friends….and, after a rather unexpected accident….Bree is now telekinetic. That’s a lot for one kid to manage. Like with Ellie Engle, Leah Johnson has given us a lovable, relatable protagonist. As someone who teaches gifted kids, I love that Bree’s struggles are typical of gifted kids…except that her “gifts” include a very atypical one. And it’s AWESOME to see a Black gifted kid!

This is an enjoyable book that I think will be a favorite of many kids.

Bree feels she’s only been good at one thing-spelling. Being the youngest of three
sisters raised by a dad who expects only the best is a lot of pressure. In the midst
of her dad campaigning for a political office, she suddenly gains a superpower
like her friend Ellie. Trying to navigate 7th grade, an absent father who expects
perfection and a new superpower while also trying to win the regional spelling bee
is a lot for any 13 year old. Along the way, Bree learns what truly matters- being
your authentic self even when it my night not match others’ visions of who you
should be.

Bree, who is best friends with Ellie, Abby, and Sammy, is a good speller, and works hard at this because her older sisters, Lex and Chris, are good at everything else. Her father, who used to be a college professor before he got into politics, is very proud of her abilities and expects her to win all of the spelling bees she enters. He has even enlisted the school counselor, Carrie, to tutor Bree. The father is very determined that all of his daughters will work twice as hard as everyone else, even though the saying goes that they might only get half as far because of the challenges Black people face. After the power goes out and Bree gets shocked trying to reseat the breaker, she develops telekinesis, which doesn't work to her advantage as much as you might think. She tells her friends about this, and they understand, especially since Ellie has the ability to reanimate the dead. Because Abby wants to perform in the talent show but every group needs at least four people, Bree agrees to perform, even though her father thinks it is a waste of her time. Her father's strict guidelines are further shattered when Chris comes home from law school with a tattooed finace who works as a floral designer. Bree participates in an exhibition spelling bee, and Carrie tries to get her to get "out of her head" by suggesting she answer as if she were different animals. It's fun, but spelling still is not what Bree really wants to do. When the final bee is on the same day as the talent show, will she have to do what her father wants, or will she be able to be there for her friends?
Strengths: It's good to see middle grade characters who have interests, and I can't think of many other books where the protagonist is interested in spelling competitions other than Blakemore's The Friendship Riddle or Seltzer's 2009 I Put a Spell on You. Bree's family is high acchieving, and the father is very invested in their success, even if he is less invested in taking care of them. Bonus points to Ms. Johnson for not killing off the mother, but having her just leave the family. It was also good to see Bree finally make up her own mind about what she wanted to do, preferring to hang out with her friends and have fun. I'm curious to see if Abby and Sammy get their own books.
Weaknesses: While this is definitely on trend as far as current mental health practices are concerned, it's hard for me to get my head around children not listening to their parents. No matter how unreasonable my parents were, I would never have contradicted them, and certainly family therapy wasn't something that would ever have been considered.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like magical powers set against a background of reality, similar to Baptiste's Moko Magic or Ireland's Emma and the Love Spell.