Becky the Brave: A Story about Epilepsy

by Laurie Lears, Gail Piazza (Illustrator)

Becky is Sarah's big sister. She is brave about going to a new school, about standing up to a big dog, and even about having epilepsy. But one day Becky has a seizure during class. Now Sarah must be brave for her sister.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Shayle Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Becky the Brave: A Story About Epilepsy by Laurie Lears is a story about a little girl named Becky from the perspective of her sister, Sarah. Becky is Sarah’s older sister. Becky is brave, while Sarah is not so much. Sarah afraid of going to school and afraid of the neighborhood dogs, but Becky remain fearless. Becky is brave in another way as well, because Becky has epilepsy. Although Becky’s seizures may seem scary, she always takes them likes a champ, and tells her sister “not to worry.” After school one day, Becky came home and was awfully quiet. Reason being was because she was afraid that one day she was going to have a seizure at school and she didn’t want her friends to know that she had epilepsy. Unfortunately, Becky’s fear came true and Becky was too scared to return back to school after having a seizure in front of her friends, that was until her sister went to her class and taught everyone about what epilepsy is.

Analysis: I really liked this story because is showed how older siblings set an example for younger siblings; because Becky was brave with her epilepsy, Sarah was brave enough to talk to Becky’s class about epilepsy. It also showed how those who truly love you will accept you just the way you are, regardless of a disability.

How I Would Use This Book: In psychotherapy, I would use this book to help teach my kids that having a mental illness isn’t weird or something to be ashamed of, and tell them to let those that they know, know that they have an illness, because more than likely they will love you just like they always have.

[Brianne Tase · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Summary: Sarah looks up to her big sister and thinks she’s the bravest person she knows. After an incident with her epilepsy, Becky must deal with the aftermath as Sarah tries to bring her brave sister back.

2. Review: This eye opening book allows the reader to understand the thoughts and feelings of someone with epilepsy as well at that of their loved ones. Through this emotional story we see the effects epilepsy has on a pair of sisters.

3. Connections: Boy and Bot is a tale of an unlikely friendship formed over the need to care. Much like these sisters, the boy and the bot try their hardest to care for one another and nurse each other back to health.

4. Quote: “Becky is my big sister. In many ways we are alike, but there is one big difference between us. Becky is brave...and I am not” This book refers to a few characters being “brave.” Students will y’all about the meaning of the word brave. They will then think of a person that they think is brave and write about them using examples of how they are brave go support their claim.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Seizures can be a very scary thing to witness, and this book can educate why those seizures happen and explain that they are okay afterwards. This story is from the perspective of Becky’s younger sister, Sarah. Becky is brave and is not afraid of anything. Becky has seizures because of her epilepsy. Becky admits that she is afraid that she might have a seizure at school and her new friends would find out. One day, that very thing happens. Becky has a seizure at school and is very adamant about not going back afterwards. The next day, Sarah stops by Becky’s classroom and explains what happened to Becky and that she is okay. She explains epilepsy to them and that she was scared for them to find out. When Sarah went home, she gave Becky her homework she had missed and a bunch of notes fell out from Becky’s classmates saying that they hope she feels better soon. Becky thanks Sarah for being so brave.

[Annie Behel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is from the perspective of Becky’s younger sister, Sarah. Becky is brave and is not afraid of anything. Becky has seizures because of her epilepsy. Becky admits that she is afraid that she might have a seizure at school and her new friends would find out. One day, that very thing happens. Becky has a seizure at school and is very adamant about not going back afterwards. The next day, Sarah stops by Becky’s classroom and explains what happened to Becky and that she is okay. She explains epilepsy to them and that she was scared for them to find out. When Sarah went home, she gave Becky her homework she had missed and a bunch of notes fell out from Becky’s classmates saying that they hope she feels better soon. Becky thanks Sarah for being so brave. I really enjoyed this book, and I didn’t see any problems with it!

[Sydnee Gann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becky, a young girl with epilepsy, is the bravest person her sister Sarah knows. When Becky has a seizure at school, due to her epilepsy, things change: she doesn't want to return to school in fear that her classmates will make fun of her or think differently of her. When Sarah goes back to school without Becky, she finds the courage to discuss with her sister's class the meaning and implications of epilepsy. Will Becky return to school?

I LOVE this book. I love that this author is shining a light on what epilepsy is.

I think I would read this to my class, or have them read it, so they would be informed, especially if we had a student/classmate with epilepsy.

[Azilee B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading becky the brave since I was eight becky makes me feel more powerful with epilepsy sometimes.so thank you laurie and gail!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Becky the Brave is a story about two sisters and the oldest has epilepsy. Becky wants to be like any normal kid who plays and has fun with her classmates, but she is embarrassed that they will find out that she has epilepsy. Becky's sister thinks that Becky is the bravest person because of how she handles her epilepsy, but also because she has a fearless nature. She looks up to her big sister. So when Becky has a seizure at school, her sister is forced to go to school by herself. At school she comes across Becky's classroom and explains Becky's condition to her classmates. She doesn't just explain the side effects of epilepsy, but she tells her classmates how brave Becky is and what she is good at.

This book would be a good story to use in order to educate students on epilepsy if a child in the class lives with the condition. It would educate the students on what epilepsy is, but also the idea that the child diagnosed with it just wants to be like any kid. It is important to treat children with epilepsy just like any other kid, and this book definitely gets that message across to its audience.

[Paris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to 1st-5th grade students. This book tells the story of two sisters who are both faced with challenges because one of them has epilepsy. The sister who has epilepsy struggles with making friends in school because of her condition, while her sister stands up and talks to her classmates about her sister's disability. I would use this book to talk about the differences people may have and how everyone should be treated fairly.

[Krista Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book as a read aloud if a student in the classroom/school had epilepsy. I think it would be beneficial on educating students about Epilepsy so that they can understand that when a student is having seizures it is because of the disease. It would also be helpful for students to understand what it is to prevent bullying or teasing to the student.

[Lillian Ng’ambi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can help readers understand epilepsy. There are different ways to be brave; it doesn't necessarily mean standing up for what you believe in. It could just be the quiet strength that is needed during a difficult time. Although this book focuses on epilepsy, the reader could also talk about understanding those who are different from them.

[Hannah Heverling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book told a powerful story. It was filled with life lessons, especially for a young reader who is unaware of epilepsy and the ways that children are effected by it. Not only does it educate on the disease, but it teaches young readers about bravery and love and compassion within ones family. I highly recommend this book to any reader.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

PBS

[Robert J · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great epilepsy awareness book. Gives young children some basic information about epilepsy.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing seems to scare Sarah's big sister Becky until having an epileptic seizure makes her reluctant to return to school. Sarah summons her own courage to explain the disease to the other students.