Some of Us Are Brave

From the acclaimed author of The Strongest Heart comes a stirring new novel from the perspectives of three very different kids who are navigating the waters of fear and friendship through the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. 

It’s a humid summer in Houston, Texas, and Yasir is dreaming of being soccer team captain—if only he could get the team bully, Cody, off his back, and maybe impress his sort-of-crush, Mona. Meanwhile, Mona is turning her nightmares into art, and Cody's home life feels as tense as the storm literally brewing down the coast.

When Hurricane Harvey makes landfall, the three kids could hardly be called friends. But as their regular lives fall apart and rising floodwaters pull them together, Mona, Cody, and Yasir will need to work as a team if they want to survive. The hurricane will churn up their deepest fears and cement their bond forever—if it doesn’t tear them apart.

"A stirring middle-grade portrayal of newfound friendship...Faruqi traces the children's uncertain odyssey and its direct aftermath with a grace and tenderness that is as radiant as her characters' burgeoning friendships." - Shelf Awareness (starred review)

"Faruqi brings this devastating natural event to life with the authentic details embedded into the narrative while showing the resilience of ­Houston. Readers will root for these well-written protagonists with distinct points of view." - School Library Journal

A"A heartwarming, skillfully wrought tale of courage, forgiveness, and new beginnings. Instead of oversimplifications that classify people as heroes or villains, Faruqi puts her characters into situations where their innate goodness can shine." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A simultaneously timely and nail-biting reflection on environmental change as well as a moving exploration of resilience, friendship, forgiveness, and courage. In this pulse-pounding novel, Faruqi (The Partition Project) reflects on Hurricane Harvey’s impact on Houston, where she resides." - Publisher's Weekly

"The characters are thoughtfully created, and their reflections on class, immigrants, and absentee parents are developed with nuance. The story sugarcoats neither the difficulties they face nor the devastation wreaked on Houston. The evolution of the protagonists and the lack of a quick fix serve as reminders that friendships, recovery, and healing all take time." - Horn Book Reviews