Some of Us Are Brave

Gr 5-7–In 2017, Hurricane Harvey came into Houston and brought in historic rainfall and flooding. In Faruqi’s latest, readers follow three teens who are caught in the storm, and must rely on each other to make it out. Pakistani American Yasir dreams of becoming a soccer superstar, but has a lot on his shoulders as the man of the house. Mona, who is described as “ third-generation American by way of England, France, India, and Pakistan” has a great family, but her parents seem to think their career is more important than her and her brother Omar. Meanwhile Cody, who is white, does not have a good home life with a dad who takes out his struggles with PTSD on his family. As their lives weave together, we find out that each one has a fear they try to hide from the world; but when they all find themselves alone during Hurricane Harvey, they must band together to make it through alive. Can they survive while also facing their fears? Faruqi brings this devastating natural event to life with the authentic details embedded into the narrative while showing the resilience of Houston. Skillfully included are legends from all cultures about how floods were used against mankind.