What do you think?
Rate this book
When You're Brave Enough
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.
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.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 22, 2026
New Annie on my Mind for today’s generation. The writing is beautiful and the character development is flawless. The author demonstrated the angst of being a teenager and the addition of the Jewish faith into the story was just icing on the cake.
February 17, 2026
4.5 stars
Review of ARC from NetGalley
A heartwarming coming-of-age story about a Jewish lesbian teen.
While at the beginning I was thrown off by the very frequent mentions of kissing, something I never wanted to do as a kid and had no interest or curiosity about, I eventually got into the story. I enjoyed reading about Lacey and her many feelings regarding growing up, family and friends, and figuring out who she is; whether it has to do with her being Jewish and her upcoming bat mitzvah or who she really has a crush on. The character of Grace, whom you don’t meet until later in the book was still vividly developed through her emails and Lacey’s memories of her.
Like most queer people I also grew up just assuming I liked the opposite gender. Deviating outside the expected norm can be confusing and frightening, especially for a kid. I hope that this book will help other kids figure out who they are. And I hope they have supportive friends and families while they figure it out.
Review of ARC from NetGalley
A heartwarming coming-of-age story about a Jewish lesbian teen.
While at the beginning I was thrown off by the very frequent mentions of kissing, something I never wanted to do as a kid and had no interest or curiosity about, I eventually got into the story. I enjoyed reading about Lacey and her many feelings regarding growing up, family and friends, and figuring out who she is; whether it has to do with her being Jewish and her upcoming bat mitzvah or who she really has a crush on. The character of Grace, whom you don’t meet until later in the book was still vividly developed through her emails and Lacey’s memories of her.
Like most queer people I also grew up just assuming I liked the opposite gender. Deviating outside the expected norm can be confusing and frightening, especially for a kid. I hope that this book will help other kids figure out who they are. And I hope they have supportive friends and families while they figure it out.
December 7, 2025
This book is a triumph! The story builds with expertly-crafted drama (family drama, friend drama, LGBTQ+ romantic drama, and theater kid drama) in a way that makes it hard to put down. Lacey is an incredibly well-written character and the writing itself is a standout—the author’s choice to use heartfelt emails between Lacey and her friend Grace as a key storytelling tool was a wonderful addition to an already fantastic tale of friendship, bravery, and first kisses.
This impressive debut is everything readers love about coming of age stories.
This impressive debut is everything readers love about coming of age stories.
April 21, 2026
This is a queer coming of age middle grade novel that captures the joy and pain of being 13 in today's world where being a teenager is very different from what it was like when I was one!
Lacey is trying to navigate a move to a new state, leaving behind her best friend, getting used to her new school and also her own identity. She's also interested in her bat Mitzvah which was cancelled because of the move and decides to prepare for it once again.
While dealing with her expectations from her family and her new relationships at school, she has to learn what she wants and the story shows that really well. I liked how Lacey's interest in her Jewish faith was woven into the story. Also wonderful was her relationship with her sister Mack and her parents even when she didn't always agree with them!
Lacey is trying to navigate a move to a new state, leaving behind her best friend, getting used to her new school and also her own identity. She's also interested in her bat Mitzvah which was cancelled because of the move and decides to prepare for it once again.
While dealing with her expectations from her family and her new relationships at school, she has to learn what she wants and the story shows that really well. I liked how Lacey's interest in her Jewish faith was woven into the story. Also wonderful was her relationship with her sister Mack and her parents even when she didn't always agree with them!
May 3, 2026
this book was a true reflection of what it’s like to experience the world as a middle schooler, in a beautiful (and painful) way. excellent for a middle grade reader navigating the friendships and feelings of that season, or an older reader ready for nostalgia and a window into the world of the young people in their lives.
April 11, 2026
I started this unable to get past the obsession with first kisses that gripped, and motivated, sweet 8th grade protagonist Lacey… because this was never a concern for me in middle school of all times!!! Why is a 13 year old feeling behind! But this got increasingly touching and complex, and I think it ended up working okay to contextualize Lacey’s confusion, and finally understanding, with her sexuality as a lesbian. Lots of themes touched on here, and overall well-rounded middle grade that discusses sexuality, friendship, hobbies, family, and religion.
October 6, 2025
First thing’s first, Rebecca Bendheim’s writing is fantastic. After this, I’d pick up anything with her name on it. When You’re Brave Enough follows Lacey after a move from Austin to Rhode Island, and Bendheim gives a queer twist to the new girl in town story. Chock-full of drama — friend drama, sibling, romantic, and the literal theatrical kind — plus sweet moments of first love, I devoured this book in just a few sittings. Not to be missed for fans of queer coming-of-age stories and for anyone either currently surviving or having survived the trials of being thirteen.
April 19, 2026
5 Stars 🌟
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC! 🧡
Yall... I had no idea that this book would get me all in my feels. When You're Brave Enough is a middle grade, LGBTQIA, romance story, and it's absolutely adorable. I related to Lacey, the MC, so much more than I initially assumed I would. This was my first time reading a book with a Jewish MC! Admittedly, I don't know much about the religion, but it was fun. I enjoyed getting to learn a little bit more. I will say that the beginning maybe felt just a smidge jumpy, but it wasn't at all bad.
This book transported me right back to middle school. The flashbacks. 😂 It also reminded me of all my former theater kid memories. We all love a good trip down memory lane from time to time. I genuinely believe that this was a book I needed to read right now. In a way, I think that it healed my younger, scared baby bisexual self. I could relate and understand how scary it is to come out, to come to terms with the fact that you're different from most. It made me so emotional, and I loved every second of it. If you're looking for a sweet, awkward, heartfelt read, consider this! 🧡
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC! 🧡
Yall... I had no idea that this book would get me all in my feels. When You're Brave Enough is a middle grade, LGBTQIA, romance story, and it's absolutely adorable. I related to Lacey, the MC, so much more than I initially assumed I would. This was my first time reading a book with a Jewish MC! Admittedly, I don't know much about the religion, but it was fun. I enjoyed getting to learn a little bit more. I will say that the beginning maybe felt just a smidge jumpy, but it wasn't at all bad.
This book transported me right back to middle school. The flashbacks. 😂 It also reminded me of all my former theater kid memories. We all love a good trip down memory lane from time to time. I genuinely believe that this was a book I needed to read right now. In a way, I think that it healed my younger, scared baby bisexual self. I could relate and understand how scary it is to come out, to come to terms with the fact that you're different from most. It made me so emotional, and I loved every second of it. If you're looking for a sweet, awkward, heartfelt read, consider this! 🧡
April 13, 2026
A thoroughly satisfying first kiss story about consent, self respect, and respect for others that the tween/teen hetero boy in me who’d never been kissed still found completely relatable.
April 25, 2026
could not put it down
Beautifully written, incredibly authentic, an immensely validating book for any middle schooler trying to figure out who they are and find their voice. Also super entertaining and fun to read. Bravo, Bendheim!
Beautifully written, incredibly authentic, an immensely validating book for any middle schooler trying to figure out who they are and find their voice. Also super entertaining and fun to read. Bravo, Bendheim!
April 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, author Rebecca Bendheim, and Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
Oh, my heart!! This is EXACTLY what I needed to read right now. When You're Brave Enough is a poignant story following Lacey, as she navigates middle school, a new town, changing friendships, and blooming crushes. Bendheim writes with an authenticity of lived experiences, which makes Lacey and her friends leap off the page. Every character felt fully realized and nuanced, and I appreciated how deeply we saw into even minor side characters, like Lacey's parents and her sister Mack's friends. Bendheim's writing was lyrical while never feeling over the top; I was engrossed in the story from the start, and there were several lines that have continued to stick with me upon finishing. Perhaps my favorite part of the novel was the fact that nothing felt trivial to me as the reader. I appreciated that no matter whether the problem being discussed was as serious as thinking about the injustices that queer women face or as "light-hearted" as deciding who to kiss (which if you ask Lacey, was not light-hearted at all!), everything was treated equally. This helped to immerse me, as a 28-year-old, back into my feelings when I was in junior high and how everything felt big, even when it wasn't in the grand scheme of things. I was pleasantly surprised by finding that I was able to still relate to a lot of Lacey's feelings and anxieties, which is the sign to me of a fantastic Middle Grade read that is appropriate for that level yet still transcends that specific age. Bendheim didn't shy away from bringing nuance to situations throughout the book (such as Lacey's dad's best friend being a lesbian yet him still being worried about Lacey's coming out), and trickier topics are discussed/resolved in well-rounded ways. I loved the Jewish representation throughout the novel as well, as I am not Jewish but felt that I learned a lot about the bat mitzvah process. I think readers who are Jewish will be able to identify a lot with the characters and appreciate the representation. For storyline, the musical plot and references were so much fun and really drove the story forward for me! I loved the inclusion of alternative formats of email correspondence between Lacey and her best friend Grace in parallel with the context of "what I didn't say" following. This added thought-provoking asides to add to the greater storyline. There are several crushes and lots of friends throughout that I don't want to spoil meeting, but I did truly enjoy each person in Lacey's world, even when there were some "mean girl moments" and some realistic difficulty from people accepting Lacey. As a lesbian who didn't fully recognize myself and my identity until I was in college, I would have loved to read When You're Brave Enough when I was in middle school. This book is going to be beneficial for so many readers and is a book that I will definitely be returning back to. Bendheim is a spectacular author, and I absolutely cannot wait to follow whatever she writes next!
Oh, my heart!! This is EXACTLY what I needed to read right now. When You're Brave Enough is a poignant story following Lacey, as she navigates middle school, a new town, changing friendships, and blooming crushes. Bendheim writes with an authenticity of lived experiences, which makes Lacey and her friends leap off the page. Every character felt fully realized and nuanced, and I appreciated how deeply we saw into even minor side characters, like Lacey's parents and her sister Mack's friends. Bendheim's writing was lyrical while never feeling over the top; I was engrossed in the story from the start, and there were several lines that have continued to stick with me upon finishing. Perhaps my favorite part of the novel was the fact that nothing felt trivial to me as the reader. I appreciated that no matter whether the problem being discussed was as serious as thinking about the injustices that queer women face or as "light-hearted" as deciding who to kiss (which if you ask Lacey, was not light-hearted at all!), everything was treated equally. This helped to immerse me, as a 28-year-old, back into my feelings when I was in junior high and how everything felt big, even when it wasn't in the grand scheme of things. I was pleasantly surprised by finding that I was able to still relate to a lot of Lacey's feelings and anxieties, which is the sign to me of a fantastic Middle Grade read that is appropriate for that level yet still transcends that specific age. Bendheim didn't shy away from bringing nuance to situations throughout the book (such as Lacey's dad's best friend being a lesbian yet him still being worried about Lacey's coming out), and trickier topics are discussed/resolved in well-rounded ways. I loved the Jewish representation throughout the novel as well, as I am not Jewish but felt that I learned a lot about the bat mitzvah process. I think readers who are Jewish will be able to identify a lot with the characters and appreciate the representation. For storyline, the musical plot and references were so much fun and really drove the story forward for me! I loved the inclusion of alternative formats of email correspondence between Lacey and her best friend Grace in parallel with the context of "what I didn't say" following. This added thought-provoking asides to add to the greater storyline. There are several crushes and lots of friends throughout that I don't want to spoil meeting, but I did truly enjoy each person in Lacey's world, even when there were some "mean girl moments" and some realistic difficulty from people accepting Lacey. As a lesbian who didn't fully recognize myself and my identity until I was in college, I would have loved to read When You're Brave Enough when I was in middle school. This book is going to be beneficial for so many readers and is a book that I will definitely be returning back to. Bendheim is a spectacular author, and I absolutely cannot wait to follow whatever she writes next!
May 12, 2026
3.5, rounded up. I liked a lot of the ideas of this book but found so many of the plot devices implausible. On the plus side, I love when fictional characters take Judaism really seriously and find it meaningful, and I found Nell's assumption that Lacey was only fasting because she felt she "had to" to be similar to assumptions I've gotten from friends. I appreciated the rabbi being named Herrera, since my community has tons of mixed marriages and converts, and no one bats an eye at a name that isn't traditionally Jewish. I also felt like Lacey's overall journey of wanting space from Grace so that she could try being different, while still loving Grace, felt realistic and relatable.
What didn't make sense - Nobody would just cancel their bat mitzvah because they were busy preparing for a move. The bat mitzvah was supposed to be in December and the move wasn't until August! Plus, Lacey apparently didn't tell Grace she was moving until the last day of school, so what did she tell her about the cancelled bat mitzvah? Also, if it was scheduled for December 13 of one year, you couldn't re-schedule for December 13 of a different year and expect the same Torah portion. And it doesn't seem possible that a thirteen-year-old who wasn't Jewish could , though it was a nice gesture. The whole idea that students could choose whom to kiss in the school play rather than following the script didn't make sense, and the girls' plan for getting Lacey together with her crush was over-the-top and illogical. So ... I have mixed feelings about this book, although I enjoyed it.
What didn't make sense - Nobody would just cancel their bat mitzvah because they were busy preparing for a move. The bat mitzvah was supposed to be in December and the move wasn't until August! Plus, Lacey apparently didn't tell Grace she was moving until the last day of school, so what did she tell her about the cancelled bat mitzvah? Also, if it was scheduled for December 13 of one year, you couldn't re-schedule for December 13 of a different year and expect the same Torah portion. And it doesn't seem possible that a thirteen-year-old who wasn't Jewish could , though it was a nice gesture. The whole idea that students could choose whom to kiss in the school play rather than following the script didn't make sense, and the girls' plan for getting Lacey together with her crush was over-the-top and illogical. So ... I have mixed feelings about this book, although I enjoyed it.
April 24, 2026
I was pulled into this book from the very beginning. Every time I started reading again it's like I fell right back in. I always found myself wondering how things would turn out for the characters.
I think it does a great job of capturing that awkward, transitional time from grades 5-8, when everyone around you stops thinking about playing and starts thinking about dating instead. The time when people are most attuned to those who "don't fit in" in order to single them out. I liked seeing Lacy's internal struggle between being herself and being what those around her expect (although I was more of a Grace in middle school, it wasn't hard to sympathize with Lacey).
At times I wondered if this book had too much going on in it. There's the school musical, the kissing tradition, Anne Frank's Diary, Lacey's bat mitzvah, song lyrics, emails... but I think they all came together cohesively in the story. The email exchanges and image descriptions felt nostalgic to me. No one sends an email anymore!
I liked what this book had to say, about growing up to be gay in a world surrounded by compulsory heterosexuality. Even though Lacey grew up next to a lesbian couple, with her best friend being out, it's not always easy to know yourself. The comment about how a first kiss story doesn't get to be cute and simple when you're gay really stung, as did the way it showed parents can have different standards when it comes to their kid, even if they're otherwise accepting.
The romance story was so sweet and perfect.
I think it does a great job of capturing that awkward, transitional time from grades 5-8, when everyone around you stops thinking about playing and starts thinking about dating instead. The time when people are most attuned to those who "don't fit in" in order to single them out. I liked seeing Lacy's internal struggle between being herself and being what those around her expect (although I was more of a Grace in middle school, it wasn't hard to sympathize with Lacey).
At times I wondered if this book had too much going on in it. There's the school musical, the kissing tradition, Anne Frank's Diary, Lacey's bat mitzvah, song lyrics, emails... but I think they all came together cohesively in the story. The email exchanges and image descriptions felt nostalgic to me. No one sends an email anymore!
I liked what this book had to say, about growing up to be gay in a world surrounded by compulsory heterosexuality. Even though Lacey grew up next to a lesbian couple, with her best friend being out, it's not always easy to know yourself. The comment about how a first kiss story doesn't get to be cute and simple when you're gay really stung, as did the way it showed parents can have different standards when it comes to their kid, even if they're otherwise accepting.
The romance story was so sweet and perfect.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an incredible book!! The characters feel so deeply lived-in, and I fell in love with every single one of them. From the protagonist Lacey, who is trying to fit in while questioning what it means to be her authentic self, to nonconformist Grace, with her love of worms and deep emotional honestly, to even the resident musical bad boy Andre, each character feels vivid and unique. From the jump, the writing pulls you into Lacey’s world. I felt like I was right there for every Not-Birthday celebration and fully immersed in her innermost thoughts, at the least the ones she’s willing to admit to herself ;)
I loved the way the plot delivers classic coming-of-age experiences, moving to a new town, auditioning for the school musical, first crushes, friendship schemes, class trips and a bat mitzvah, but with a fresh perspective that absolutely shines through. This book also does a wonderful job balancing humor alongside moments of real emotional weight. I laughed and cried (sometimes even during the same chapter), just another way it truly captures the trials and tribulations of growing up and figuring out what—and who—allows you to be your fullest self.
I can’t wait for the world to experience When You’re Brave Enough, and I’m so excited to see what Rebecca Bendheim has in store for us next!
I loved the way the plot delivers classic coming-of-age experiences, moving to a new town, auditioning for the school musical, first crushes, friendship schemes, class trips and a bat mitzvah, but with a fresh perspective that absolutely shines through. This book also does a wonderful job balancing humor alongside moments of real emotional weight. I laughed and cried (sometimes even during the same chapter), just another way it truly captures the trials and tribulations of growing up and figuring out what—and who—allows you to be your fullest self.
I can’t wait for the world to experience When You’re Brave Enough, and I’m so excited to see what Rebecca Bendheim has in store for us next!
May 7, 2026
4 1/2 stars
I'm 63 year old women who still enjoys young adult novels for their sentementality and simplicity. Do not read shallow or trivial. Simplicity in the directness of the storytelling.
I very much enjoyed this one. As a Jewish educator, I often get cringy when Jewish stuff is tossed into a storyline, and I was ready to grimace at this one, but I found it very real, very respectful, and very relatable in an age appropriate, young adult way. Kudos to the author for that! I especially liked the Jewish themes of questioning (not referring to sexuality), and the dvar Torah/bat mitzvah speech at the end is stellar.
As a Rhode Islanders, I wish the author had planted a few extra Easter eggs in the story for locals to identify. The old, stuck bridge over and over again got boring. I thought Lacey lived in Providence, but then why is she driving to Temple rather than walking? If she lives close enough to walk to the bridge, she lives close enough to walk to the synagogue.
I struggle with calling this an LGBTQIA+ coming of age novel. I hope that doesn't limit its reach. This is a novel for everyone. Just because the characters are diverse doesn't mean it's written for a specific audience. On the contrary. The themes of love and acceptance and coming of age are universal. In fact, don't we want "straight" kids to read it so they'll learn to be less nasty and scared?
I'm 63 year old women who still enjoys young adult novels for their sentementality and simplicity. Do not read shallow or trivial. Simplicity in the directness of the storytelling.
I very much enjoyed this one. As a Jewish educator, I often get cringy when Jewish stuff is tossed into a storyline, and I was ready to grimace at this one, but I found it very real, very respectful, and very relatable in an age appropriate, young adult way. Kudos to the author for that! I especially liked the Jewish themes of questioning (not referring to sexuality), and the dvar Torah/bat mitzvah speech at the end is stellar.
As a Rhode Islanders, I wish the author had planted a few extra Easter eggs in the story for locals to identify. The old, stuck bridge over and over again got boring. I thought Lacey lived in Providence, but then why is she driving to Temple rather than walking? If she lives close enough to walk to the bridge, she lives close enough to walk to the synagogue.
I struggle with calling this an LGBTQIA+ coming of age novel. I hope that doesn't limit its reach. This is a novel for everyone. Just because the characters are diverse doesn't mean it's written for a specific audience. On the contrary. The themes of love and acceptance and coming of age are universal. In fact, don't we want "straight" kids to read it so they'll learn to be less nasty and scared?
March 28, 2026
When You’re Brave Enough follows Lacey, a 13 year old who moves to a brand new state with her eccentric, precious family. She enrols in a middle school with a heavy arts-focus and winds up with the lead in her school musical, Bye Bye Birdie. When she learns about the closing-night tradition of leads kissing, Lacey is forced to confront who she likes and who she wants to be. Will she kiss one of the boys who are cast opposite her, or forge a new path?
Lacey is a really lovely protagonist. I found the language she used to explore her feelings and the relationship dynamics throughout the novel to be so true to life and wholesome. I appreciated the ending, watching Lacey show leadership and make decisions that were important to her, even if they weren’t the popular decision. Her family and friends played such a pivotal role in helping her shape these beliefs, and even though we meet a number of characters, all of them felt realistic and well developed. Nothing felt rushed, forced, or inauthentic to a middle years experience.
This is a rare novel that I know my middle school students will love just as much as I do. I am so excited for it to be published so my students can fall in love with this story! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Lacey is a really lovely protagonist. I found the language she used to explore her feelings and the relationship dynamics throughout the novel to be so true to life and wholesome. I appreciated the ending, watching Lacey show leadership and make decisions that were important to her, even if they weren’t the popular decision. Her family and friends played such a pivotal role in helping her shape these beliefs, and even though we meet a number of characters, all of them felt realistic and well developed. Nothing felt rushed, forced, or inauthentic to a middle years experience.
This is a rare novel that I know my middle school students will love just as much as I do. I am so excited for it to be published so my students can fall in love with this story! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
Lacey is the new girl at her theater magnet school in Rhode Island. She's ready to spread her wings and discover who she is without Grace, the friend she's had since birth, who's still living in Texas. Lacey is thrilled to land the lead role in the fall musical, but when her new friends tell her that it's a tradition for the leads to kiss on closing night, she starts to feel anxious. As she prepares for the play and for her bat mitzvah, Lacey starts to wonder about her own sexual identity and whether she'll be brave enough to finally have her first kiss.
This did have an interesting, positive representation of Jewish culture and religion, and I liked some of the lessons Lacey learns toward the end of the story. But wow, this was absolutely brimming with teenaged angst (I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since this book stars a whole bunch of drama kids!). Lacey's new "friends" were catty and terrible, and Lacey herself gets kind of mean, too, both to her sister and to Grace. I did this on audio and the voices felt kind of shrill sometimes, particularly Grace's. I had a hard time liking any of these characters.
LGBTQ rep: queer main characters (one pansexual, one lesbian), nonbinary side character with discussion about pronouns, character with two moms.
This did have an interesting, positive representation of Jewish culture and religion, and I liked some of the lessons Lacey learns toward the end of the story. But wow, this was absolutely brimming with teenaged angst (I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since this book stars a whole bunch of drama kids!). Lacey's new "friends" were catty and terrible, and Lacey herself gets kind of mean, too, both to her sister and to Grace. I did this on audio and the voices felt kind of shrill sometimes, particularly Grace's. I had a hard time liking any of these characters.
LGBTQ rep: queer main characters (one pansexual, one lesbian), nonbinary side character with discussion about pronouns, character with two moms.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. Finished this book with the biggest, happiest smile on my face. Lacey truly went on a journey and it was great to be there with her every step of the way. I loved the different themes running through the book — like tradition, which can be meaningful, powerful, and help us grow (as in faith) or can just be something that was done but now no longer serves a purpose and might even be harmful (leads kiss.) Rebecca is one of the most visual writers I have ever read: all Lacey’s emotions were so beautifully painted. We didn’t just see how she was feeling — we felt it, too, because of the specifically detailed imagery. I also loved her family so much! What a great supporting cast, and emphasis on the supporting. This book took me through all the emotions: happiness, sadness, despair, hope, love. Of course, love. All while being a page turner that kept me up past my bedtime repeatedly. I cannot wait for young readers to get ahold of this! I am so excited for the understanding and connection it will provide.
April 22, 2026
This was such a beautiful, thoughtful book about growing up, understanding yourself, navigating religious identity, and dealing with the pressures of middle school.
Lacey is a fantastic main character. She feels incredibly real. She’s in that in-between space so many kids experience: trying to fit in at a new school, with an eagerness but nervousness, while still holding onto pieces of who she truly is. I loved how her self-awareness is always present, through her thoughtful reflections of her interactions and her afterthoughts when emailing Grace. Even when she’s caught up in social dynamics and uncertainty, there is still that underlying expression of self-discovery. There’s this sense throughout the story that she could rise above the drama and pressure and she just has to figure out how.
The pacing works really well. Starting with the move and new school gives the story immediate momentum, and everything that follows feels natural and well-developed. The school’s theater culture adds so much personality to the setting, and Lacey’s excitement about it, mixed with her anxiety about its traditions, creates a interesting internal conflict.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book is how it draws parallels between different kinds of traditions. The pressure-filled expectation of kissing someone in the school musical contrasts so meaningfully with Lacey’s desire to reconnect with her Jewish identity and prepare for her bat mitzvah. Both are rites of passage in very different ways, but also in the ways of getting older. The way they intertwine adds such emotional depth to her journey.
Overall, this is a heartfelt and nuanced story about identity, friendship, and finding the courage to be honest about who you are. I loved Lacey and her self-discovery and without spoilers ... it make me happy sob in the end. Such a lovely story of self-discovery and getting older.
Lacey is a fantastic main character. She feels incredibly real. She’s in that in-between space so many kids experience: trying to fit in at a new school, with an eagerness but nervousness, while still holding onto pieces of who she truly is. I loved how her self-awareness is always present, through her thoughtful reflections of her interactions and her afterthoughts when emailing Grace. Even when she’s caught up in social dynamics and uncertainty, there is still that underlying expression of self-discovery. There’s this sense throughout the story that she could rise above the drama and pressure and she just has to figure out how.
The pacing works really well. Starting with the move and new school gives the story immediate momentum, and everything that follows feels natural and well-developed. The school’s theater culture adds so much personality to the setting, and Lacey’s excitement about it, mixed with her anxiety about its traditions, creates a interesting internal conflict.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book is how it draws parallels between different kinds of traditions. The pressure-filled expectation of kissing someone in the school musical contrasts so meaningfully with Lacey’s desire to reconnect with her Jewish identity and prepare for her bat mitzvah. Both are rites of passage in very different ways, but also in the ways of getting older. The way they intertwine adds such emotional depth to her journey.
Overall, this is a heartfelt and nuanced story about identity, friendship, and finding the courage to be honest about who you are. I loved Lacey and her self-discovery and without spoilers ... it make me happy sob in the end. Such a lovely story of self-discovery and getting older.
April 28, 2026
Lacey has a family that celebrates a lot of things, bit and small because her dad knows that food is love which is a thing to love about the book. Lacey is part of her school's play Bye, Bye Birdie and the talk of the play is the closing kissing scene and what will go on which puts everyone into a tailspin, Lacey included as she's having feelings both friendship (her friend Grace isn't around) and relationship, is a new girl someone to like or one of the boys in the play? And it's when she starts asking questions to her parents about her sister's new nonbinary friend, as an example, that Lacey is willing to start confronting her own thoughts.
It's fits in the middle grade box well when it comes to the shifting emotional side of coming-of-age including an additional confrontation of impending adulthood as she prepares for her bat mitzvah that adds a religious component to the story too along with theater.
It all works nicely together though I found it a little pat.
It's fits in the middle grade box well when it comes to the shifting emotional side of coming-of-age including an additional confrontation of impending adulthood as she prepares for her bat mitzvah that adds a religious component to the story too along with theater.
It all works nicely together though I found it a little pat.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rebecca Bendheim’s stunning middle grade debut follows eighth grader Lacey as she moves across the country from her lifelong best friend, bold and nature-loving Grace. Used to being defined by Grace’s (sometimes embarrassing) exuberance, Lacey is eager to branch out and discover who she is on her own at her new theater-arts magnet school in Rhode Island. Between getting the lead role in the school’s musical, preparing for her bat mitzvah, and navigating new friendships (and crushes) without Grace, Lacey explores what it means to grow into her own person—and discovers in the end that some things are big enough to grow with you. The prose is absolutely dazzling and the imagery immersive. This lesbian coming-of-age story embodies the value of (some!) traditions of the past, the personal responsibility of the present, and hope for the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to netgalley for the free ARC
the main plot of this book is about lacey obsessing over her first kiss, especially since it's tradition that the leads of her school musical kiss in the last show. and I just wasn't that invested. in the second half the book branches out to explore more conflicts, such as her bat mitzvah, and relationships with her friends and her sister, as well as her identity as a lesbian. these all were well developed and complimented each other nicely. ultimately, it's an enjoyable book but i simply am not interested in middle grade where the main plot is kissing/crushes/relationships, etc.
also shout-out for an aroace side character, and having the label be used on-page!
the main plot of this book is about lacey obsessing over her first kiss, especially since it's tradition that the leads of her school musical kiss in the last show. and I just wasn't that invested. in the second half the book branches out to explore more conflicts, such as her bat mitzvah, and relationships with her friends and her sister, as well as her identity as a lesbian. these all were well developed and complimented each other nicely. ultimately, it's an enjoyable book but i simply am not interested in middle grade where the main plot is kissing/crushes/relationships, etc.
also shout-out for an aroace side character, and having the label be used on-page!
April 9, 2026
i never write goodreads reviews and i also never read middle grade books, but this book genuinely blew any expectation i could’ve had out of the water. each character was so rich and full, the plot was so well-developed and kept me reading (i finished in 24hr), and it had many feelings described in a way that was accessible for preteens but still deep as fuck. this book was actually maybe exactly what i needed right now even as an adult. joyful, complex, funny, true to middle school, and imaginative. im glad this book exists bc if it can affect me this much, i can’t even begin to imagine how impactful it’ll be for all the kids (queer, jewish, cool, weird, worms, in theater, etc etc) who are going to fall in love with it. please give this book to a kid in your life 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
When You're Brave Enough was an un-put-down-able read, and is the kind of book that feels like a good friend. Rebecca Bendheim's middle grade debut has it all: incredibly authentic voice, big-heartedness, a close sister bond, well-rendered multi-dimensional characters, and a perfect conveyance of the high-stakes emotions present during this pivotal moment in life. I can hear the poetry that I've known Bendheim for all throughout her prose. Bendheim's writing is exquisite. In the space between her words Bendheim trusts her reader to explore complicated emotions alongside beloved protagonist, Lacey. A perfect recommendation for readers of any age who are looking for a little boost in bravery!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I can't stop thinking about this beautiful book. Rebecca Bendheim has captured so many emotions that jump off the page - delving deep into crushes, friendship, auditions, sisters, traditions, expectations, jealousy, confusion, identity, first love. She has a true gift for being able to describe what we’ve all thought and felt but never found the words for. I was swept up into Lacey’s story and the drama of being at a school where theatre rules. (I have been singing all those Bye, Bye, Birdie songs again!) So many aha moments! So many surprises I didn’t see coming. I want to read it again. Thanks for sharing an early copy - I'll help spread the word!
April 7, 2026
There's a lot to love about this book. A theatre-loving girl from Texas moves to Rhode Island and gets cast as the lead in the musical.
Every character felt vibrant and real, like they all had their own things to stress about and celebrate and weren't just there for Lacey's sake. When You're Brave Enough incorporates several layers that Lacey is dealing with - her relationship with her religion, her friendships, her family relationships, and her coming out.
This would be an amazing read for middle schoolers!
Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review.
Every character felt vibrant and real, like they all had their own things to stress about and celebrate and weren't just there for Lacey's sake. When You're Brave Enough incorporates several layers that Lacey is dealing with - her relationship with her religion, her friendships, her family relationships, and her coming out.
This would be an amazing read for middle schoolers!
Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This charming middle grade romance perfectly captures all the soaring highs and gut-wrenching lows of first crushes and misguided quests for popularity, while also exploring peer pressure, sibling and family dynamics, and even a bit of religious soul searching. Lacey’s struggles to figure herself out (and the mistakes she makes along the way) are wholly relatable, and kids will find themselves caught up in the plot, wondering what Lacey will decide to do. Highly recommend this for those upper middle grade readers who often get overlooked!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Loved this book! Lacey is a great character, at 13 exploring who she is and who she really wants to be. Great setting in an arts-oriented school in Rhode Island, where the school musicals are the highlight of the year. Lacey is Jewish, and that's an important thread in the story too. She has an amazing best friend in her old town (Austin), and is trying to balance that with new friends, and also her crush on another girl. Lots for Lacey to sort through, all dealt with beautifully in this amazing novel.
December 18, 2025
ARC read - full review closer to publication: Rebecca Bendheim perfectly captures the glorious messiness of finding your true self in 8th grade. From crushes and friendship to big dreams and even bigger drama, young readers will relate to this adorable, funny, and heartfelt middle grade debut. I especially can't wait to hear what students think of the feeling that you're auditioning for a new friendship. I felt that in my soul! So brilliant. Highly recommend!
April 8, 2026
This was such a sweet, heartwarming book. It was completely unexpected for me. This is a coming of age, queer middle grade novel about a young girl getting ready for the starring role in her school musical and her bat mitzvah. Along the way, she deals with making new friends, changing feelings about old friends, and getting to know herself. It’s such a well done portrayal of how painful, mixed up, and lovely life can be at 13. I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews