Description
Description
A heartfelt, gorgeously written debut middle grade novel about best friends, first crushes, and coming out--perfect for fans of Kyle Lukoff and Jake Maia Arlow. Before she moved from Austin to Rhode Island, everybody knew Lacey as one half of an inseparable duo: Lacey-and-Grace, best friends since they were toddlers. Grace and her moms were practically family. But at school, being lumped together with overeager, worm-obsessed, crushes-on-everyone Grace meant Lacey never quite fit in--and that's why at her new middle school, Lacey plans to reinvent herself. This time, she's going to be cool. She's going to be normal. At first, everything seems to go as planned. Lacey makes new friends right away, she finds a rabbi to help her prepare for the bat mitzvah that got deprioritized by her parents in the chaos of the move, and she even gets cast in the lead role of the eighth-grade musical. Which is when things start to get stressful, because it turns out the students at her new school have a long-standing, unofficial tradition: No matter what the show is, in the final performance, the leads always kiss for real. Lacey's never kissed anyone before--she's not even sure she's ever had a crush. And in Bye, Bye, Birdie, there are a few different co-lead kiss possibilities for Lacey to choose from. There's confident, cocky Andre. There's sweet, friendly Jaden. And then there's the other new girl at school: dryly funny, impossibly cool Violet. But while her new friends and older sister create whiteboard wall charts and botched field trip schemes to help her decide, suddenly Lacey can't stop thinking about Grace, who she was so sure she wanted to leave behind. When Grace comes back into her life, Lacey needs to decide if she's brave enough to be who she really is, in front of the person who matters most.
About the Author
About the Author
Rebecca Bendheim is a middle school teacher, poet, and graduate of Vanderbilt and VCFA's MFA program in writing for children and young adults, where she wrote her critical thesis on queer middle grade and was mentored by Corey Ann Haydu. She has performed her poetry at Lambda Litfest, on NPR, and as a member of Austin's Typewriter Rodeo poetry troupe. Rebecca can be found on social media @RebeccaBendheim.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
*"[A] radiant debut...[A] relatable story of belonging and becoming."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "Hand to readers looking for grounded, compassionate tween coming-of-age stories."--Booklist "Queer, Jewish, and theater-themed: What's not to like?"--Kirkus Reviews "Rebecca Bendheim captures the anxieties and triumphs of middle school in a beautiful and honest way. When You're Brave Enough is a lyrical coming-of-age story that will be a hit with anyone who has felt too scared to speak up or sing out. This tender debut had me cheering for Lacey as she learns and grows, like a caterpillar becoming a beautiful queer butterfly."--Jake Maia Arlow, author of The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet
"A tender exploration of finding your voice and your identity, and the awkwardness of leaving old friends behind while trying to make new ones. Bendheim has created a deeply relatable character who you can't help but cheer for from overture to encore."--Nicole Melleby, Author of Brady Mason's Perfect Fit "Bendheim delicately and heartbreakingly paints a portrait of first love, the struggle to understand one's authentic self, and the uncertain, painful, and still somehow joyful landscape of coming of age."--Corey Ann Haydu "A heartfelt story about discovering who you truly are--and then learning how to courageously step out onto center stage. Bendheim writes with both warmth and incisiveness as heroine Lacey navigates new developments in her friend group, family, and faith. With its sparkling prose and cast of delightfully memorable characters, this queer coming-of-age debut will linger with readers long after the final curtain call." --Kathryn Ormsbee, author of Candidly Cline and Turning Twelve
"Rebecca Bendheim's When You're Brave Enough, took me back to thirteen, reading Judy Blume novels under my blanket with a flashlight. This tale of unexpected crushes, theater kid drama, and adolescent antics flows so effortlessly you will feel you are walking beside Lacey, experiencing her world as she lives it."--Lakita Wilson, author of Be Real, Macy Weaver and Sparkle "When You're Brave Enough is a sharply emotional, rawly honest, and finely nuanced portrayal of finding yourself as a young person. This gorgeous story of first love and the roles we play on stage and in life hits every high and low note, starring a protagonist you'll root for from the first page and want to give a standing ovation to by the last."--Taylor Tracy, Stonewall Honor Author of Murray Out of Water
"A tender exploration of finding your voice and your identity, and the awkwardness of leaving old friends behind while trying to make new ones. Bendheim has created a deeply relatable character who you can't help but cheer for from overture to encore."--Nicole Melleby, Author of Brady Mason's Perfect Fit "Bendheim delicately and heartbreakingly paints a portrait of first love, the struggle to understand one's authentic self, and the uncertain, painful, and still somehow joyful landscape of coming of age."--Corey Ann Haydu "A heartfelt story about discovering who you truly are--and then learning how to courageously step out onto center stage. Bendheim writes with both warmth and incisiveness as heroine Lacey navigates new developments in her friend group, family, and faith. With its sparkling prose and cast of delightfully memorable characters, this queer coming-of-age debut will linger with readers long after the final curtain call." --Kathryn Ormsbee, author of Candidly Cline and Turning Twelve
"Rebecca Bendheim's When You're Brave Enough, took me back to thirteen, reading Judy Blume novels under my blanket with a flashlight. This tale of unexpected crushes, theater kid drama, and adolescent antics flows so effortlessly you will feel you are walking beside Lacey, experiencing her world as she lives it."--Lakita Wilson, author of Be Real, Macy Weaver and Sparkle "When You're Brave Enough is a sharply emotional, rawly honest, and finely nuanced portrayal of finding yourself as a young person. This gorgeous story of first love and the roles we play on stage and in life hits every high and low note, starring a protagonist you'll root for from the first page and want to give a standing ovation to by the last."--Taylor Tracy, Stonewall Honor Author of Murray Out of Water
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Viking Books for Young Readers
Pub date:
2026-04-07
Length:
304 pages
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