Bravey (Adapted for Young Readers): Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas

by Alexi Pappas

Alexi Pappas is not only an Olympic runner, actress, filmmaker, she is a writer whose heartwarming and life-affirming memoir will inspire young readers, as she shares the touchstone moments in her life that helped her learn about confidence and self-reliance, compassion and forgiveness, and loss and hope, in this accessible and motivating memoir.

What is a bravey ? For Alexi Pappas, it means to chase the goals that seem scary. She has not shied away from the challenge.

In this honest and hopeful memoir written especially for young readers, Alexi Pappas details key moments that had profound effects on her life, including the loss of her mother when she was just four years old, to her formative years at school where she felt different from her peers, and into her young adult life, including the incredible year she experienced in 2016 when she made her Olympic debut as a distance runner and wrote, directed, and starred in her first feature film. Through it all, Alexi worked hard—physically, mentally, and emotionally, but not without setbacks and difficulties, all of which helped her learn about confidence and self-reliance, compassion and forgiveness, loss and hope. Even with good things happening, Alexi found herself facing anxiety and mental health issues. Isn't winning supposed to make a person happy? How does one make life better when it already seems good? Alexi doesn't provide all the answers, but she offers ideas to consider when life gets complicated.

Young readers will be inspired by Alexi's journey to create an abundant life filled with loving friends and family and strong female role models and mentors--who helped to shape the bravey she is today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

240 pages, Hardcover

Published August 22, 2023

Reviews

[Cory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book is a great resource for young people, it depicts a harsh upbringing full of mental-health challenges with her mother, a suicide, and learning to overcome her own depression. I really appreciated the rawness of it; however, as a teacher of middle school children navigating life after a pandemic, this wouldn't be a book I'd recommend to them. I think it's best suited for 8th grade and higher; however, a mature young reader. I appreciate Pappas's story and sharing her life and struggles as an athlete. I think there are great lessons to be learned and applied through her story.
#netgalley #braveyadaptedforyoungreaders

[Kate Waggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley and Random House Children’s Publishing for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Bravey (Adapted for Young Readers) by Alexi Pappas. This nonfiction book will be out August 21, 2023. All opinions are my own.

In this memoir, Olympic runner, actress, filmmaker, and writer Alexi Pappas recounts touchstone moments from her life that helped her learn confidence, self-reliance, forgiveness, compassion, and dealing with loss.

I’m torn on this book. Ultimately, I gave it 3 stars. Pappas includes some hard hitting and emotional moments in her life. She is real and blunt about them. For younger readers, this could be a little much. I may suggest this for 7th grade and up because of it. It deals with depression, suicide, grief, pain, confidence, and goal-setting. Each chapter begins with a little inspirational quote, then her story, and ends with a bullet point list of the takeaway from the chapter. I found several poignant points in the book, but I also had a really difficult time staying in the book and not skimming. Pappas is very fond of simile and metaphor and there was almost one in every paragraph. I found it to be a little repetitive and overworked. Younger readers may not pick up on this, but I did early on and it took me out as it felt unnecessary. Overall, it has very important points and I like that it addresses mental health issues, but it wasn’t the easiest read.

[Cheryl Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so sad when someone is hurting so badly that they can’t see any other option but to take their leave.

In some ways it seems so selfish but when someone is hurting that badly their vision narrows and when depression sets in it’s hard to talk to others- they really don’t get it- you can’t just make the choice to “get over it”.

Highlights: set goals and push yourself- really commit!
Find, watch & listen to a variety of healthy mentors and teammates who have your back, who have been there & get your current circumstances.

Love the ones your with right now ❤️

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Greek-American Olympian Pappas speaks to her experiences with depression, chasing dreams, and dealing with pain/injuries. Pappas also talks frankly about how her mother's suicide when Alexi was only 5 years old had lifelong repercussions. Give this to students who are struggling; it's important to know they are not alone and that things get better - and to know HOW to work through it. It is a process. It takes time and you need to get help. This is the version adapted for younger readers. CW depression, suicide

[Adelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved hearing the author's story, it was so inspiring! It was so nice to hear about not only her highs and wins, but also her lows and struggles. It really showed how it's okay to not be okay, and was really helpful. This also really showed how it's important to follow your dreams!

[Andrea Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually loved the young reader version. I read it to recommend for my kids, but I liked this one better. It really inspired me.