About the Book
Becoming Brave is a social-emotional learning story that refuses the easy version of courage. Kamara Bloom's protagonist is not fearless; they are afraid and they act anyway, and the story carefully separates those two things so that young readers understand that bravery is not a personality trait but a practice. The book gives children a framework for understanding their own courage that does not require them to pretend the fear away.
Themes
Discussion Questions
For the Book Club Table
- 01
What was the character afraid of at the beginning of the story? Did they feel better right away?
- 02
What does it mean to be brave? Is it the same as not being scared?
- 03
Tell about a time when you were afraid to do something but did it anyway. How did you feel after?
- 04
Who or what helped the character in the story feel brave? Do you have someone or something like that?
- 05
Was there a moment in the story where you thought the character might give up? What made them keep going?
- 06
What does 'becoming' brave mean? Why did the author say 'becoming' instead of just 'being' brave?
- 07
How did the character's friends or family help them? How can we help each other be brave?
- 08
What is one brave thing you want to try doing this week?
Personal Reflection
For the Reader Alone
Draw yourself being brave. What does your brave face look like?
Write or finish this sentence: 'I am brave when I...'
Think of someone you know who is brave. Write one sentence about what they do that you admire.
What is something that feels hard but that you know you can do? Write a plan for how you will try.
Group Activities
For the Circle
The Brave Steps Ladder
As a class, create a 'Brave Steps Ladder', a chart showing how you can work up to something scary in small steps. Use the character's journey in the book as the first example, then let students share their own. This visual tool teaches children that courage is incremental and that they can plan for it.
Brave Buddy Pairs
Pair students and have each person tell their partner one thing they are a little scared to try at school or home. Each partner then says one encouraging thing. Bring the group back together to discuss: what did it feel like to be heard by a brave buddy? Connect back to the support the character receives in the story.
Courage Collection
Create a class 'Courage Collection' jar. For one week, students write on slips of paper any moment they tried something that felt hard. Read them aloud at the end of the week without attribution. Discuss together: how many brave moments happened this week? How many went unnoticed until now?
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