Brady

by Jean Fritz

"In 1836, after Brady discovered a station (of the Underground Railroad) and knew that his father did not trust him with the secret, he wished he had never heard of slavery. But in a time of great need he was able to prove he was becoming a man."--Horn Book 19 black-and-white halftone illustrations.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Civil War, Childrens, School

224 pages, Library Binding

First published December 19, 1960

About the author

Jean Guttery Fritz was an American children's writer best known for American biography and history. She won the Children's Legacy Literature Award for her career contribution to American children's literature in 1986. She turned 100 in November 2015 and died in May 2017 at the age of 101.

Reviews

[Quirkyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story a bout a boy who has a hard time keeping secrets. He stumbles across a secret that could threaten his whole family. Is he able to keep the secret?

I enjoyed the fast pace writing style of this story. And because of that I was able to finish it it one sitting.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brady, a Pennsylvania pastor's son, is out in the woods one day when he comes across a hermit neighbor's Underground Railroad station. Brady's community, so close to the Virginia border, is much divided on the subject of slavery, and even his own home is unsettled: his Southern-born mother is on one side, and his father seems to be on the other, a question that is finally put to rest the day he courageously preaches a sermon against the evils of slavery. Violence against the family's property ensues. Brady himself has to live with the consequences of blurting out his discovery at the dinner table, and feels miserable at the thought of losing his father's trust and respect. This is a thoughtful novel that offers a glimpse of the unrest that swept even northern states during the pre-Civil War years, and shows how one young boy is able to come to his own conclusions about right and wrong. Upper elementary.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Jenny Hartfelder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy in the mid-1800s finds himself in trouble when his desire to get attention by telling a good story lands him in the middle of a conflict he hadn't even been aware of. His inability to keep his mouth shut continues to cause problems, until he stumbles upon the biggest secret of all. Will he keep it? Or will it burn its way out?

At its core, Brady is the story of a young man developing the maturity necessary to move from childhood to manhood. That journey tends to have some bumps in the road, and Brady's is no different. Some small aspects of the Underground Railroad and the conflict over slavery make it's way into the story, but the crux of it is Brady's journey to manhood.

My main reason for not giving this 4 stars instead of 3 is that one the last times Brady is really tempted to tell a secret, he ends up not telling it... Not because he chose not to but because his friend didn't give him a chance. Yes, he does continue to show some maturing, but it's hard to know if the trust his father shows him at the end is actually deserved.

[Becca Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read aloud with my kids by noted YA historical/fiction author Jean Fritz. It comes from the perspective of a tween boy during the times of slavery and abolition, learning to navigate through what everyone in the community thinks and make up his own mind/figure out his conscience amidst the difficulties and realities of friends and families being on different sides. My kids and I had great discussions with this book about injustice, friendship, family, truth, secrets, and bravery.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this was my son. It was a good story and a compelling way to learn about what it would have been like to live in a small community during the time of slavery, abolitionists, slave-catchers, and the Underground Railroad.

[Adama Fall · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRADY by JEAN FRITZ -254pages.i answer to the question 2 and 11.

Does this story or its characters remind you of another story you have read? Does it remind you of a movie? how are they alike? and how are they different?

this story remember me another story that i read several years ago: the history of ''kunta kinte'' by alex haley. i was so attracted by this book that i rent the movie. it was an interesting book with a true story. the story in ''brady'' the book i have already read is similar to the narrative of ''kunta kinte''. They are alike in many points: the main idea( they both tell about slavery), the practice of slavery, the style of their lives, the way to get freedom.
''brady'' is contrasting to ''kunta kinte'' in few points: they do not describe the same person(slave). JEAN FRITZ narrate about "brady'' and ALEX HALEY about ''kunta kinte''. Each book has his own history. Also thoses books are different because in ''BRADY'' JEAN FRITZ narrate the story with his own imagination and the reality of savery. But in ''KUNTA KINTE'' ALEX HALEY describe a true story, everything is casual true.

when you wish to learn when you read again tomorrow; what do you hope will happen in the story or to the characters? why do you wish for that to happen?

actually, i hope that this story won't be happen anywhere in this world. slavery is abolished. that practice was very hard and cruel. i hope that brady will get his freedom with his family especially his father who helped an leaded slaves to the freedom.
everyone must be together, we have just one race, race of human.
i wish that because it's better for the world and it's right and fair for everyone.

[Mrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Brady Minton’s trouble was that he couldn’t keep a secret. He just naturally had to tell everything he knew.
After all, there were so many interesting things to talk about: his brother Matt had just been appointed a professor of history; his friend Range knew where the best trout fishing was; and something strange was going on at Drover Hull’s cabin.
That’s what really started the trouble. Brady just had to tell about the runaway slaves he thought he saw at Drover Hull’s cabin. The minute he said it, Brady could tell by the look on his father’s face that he’d opened his mouth one too often again.
Slavery was something Brady Minton had never thought about at all. When he learned of his father’s part in the slavery controversy, Brady wanted to help him, but he knew his father didn’t trust him to keep a secret.
Jean Fritz has written a sympathetic, moving story of a young boy in pre-Civil War days who was forced to make his own decision on the question of slavery, and who learned how important it can be to keep a secret."

I think this is my favourite book about the Underground Railroad so far. It shows that the people of the time had all the same feelings we often have about current issues. Not everyone who didn’t actively disagree with slavery was a horrible person. I think this is important. When we paint all the people on the wrong side of history as cartoon villains it’s impossible to put ourselves in their shoes and then we don’t realize how easily we could do the things they did.

[Marika Gillis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early in this gentle novel, Brady, a pastor’s son, stumbles upon a neighbor’s Underground Railroad “station” while playing in the woods with a friend. When Brady, unable to keep a secret, shares his discovery with his family, he is surprised by their reaction. Unsure of his own feelings about slavery, Brady begins to notice the tension between those around him who are on opposite sides of the controversial issue. Then Brady stumbles across an even bigger secret related to the Underground Railroad and, while proving he can keep this secret, he begins to sort out his own feelings about slavery and eventually Brady proves that he can do a “man’s work”.

I read this book with a group of 5th grade students for the Battle of the Books competition in April. This novel was simple and well-written. Many student readers will certainly enjoy this one, however it is not very exciting and may not be powerful or interesting enough to draw in those kids who are not big readers or do not enjoy the historical fiction genre. Of the five students in the group I worked with (all big readers), three kiddos said they liked the book and two admitted that they did not.

[Isabella Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the book Brady because the author really made the book seem as if it was in realistic. On one of the pages it talk about slavery and I thought in my head, "Well this really happened in really life a while ago." It was a spectacular to hear that the author wanted to grab attention to her book with tragic situations that were real back then. But the book overall was brilliant and it garbed my attention real quick. I would recommend others to read this book and see how it grabs your attention just like it grabbed mine.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book which takes place in the 1830--a time period I haven't seen a lot of historical fiction for. The Revolution is still being fought in the memories of the oldest inhabitants but slavery and abolition are fast becoming a challenging political issue. It's told from the point of view of a boy who can never keep a secret yet stumbles upon the huge secret of the Underground Railroad station in his neighborhood. A good read. (Read for my tutoring work).

[Spring Ranch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories about people doing what's right even when it's dangerous or scary. Because of that I love to read books about the Underground Railroad. "Brady" is one those books that kids don't often grab because, honestly, the cover and the title don't make it look all that interesting. Don't judge this book by it's cover. It's an exciting story, with a character, Brady, who helps you to see the slavery issue and the underground railroad from the perspective of a child. I loved this book!

[Genet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the juvenile literature I have read recently, this has been my favorite. Gentle, and quiet, yet somehow still filled with action and adventure. Story of a boy and the Underground Railroad, touches on deep, emotional issues without being graphic or inappropriate for the age group. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it for youth and adults.

[Bucko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. I had read this in the fifth or sixth grade, and picked it up after I bought it for my dad for Christmas this year. (It takes place in his hometown, Washington, PA.) I almost gave up halfway through, but the ending proved fairly satisfying. Might be a good read for pre-teens, but didn't have enough punch to be a worthy read for most adults I would think.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story that offers the young reader insight both to the issues of slavery pre-Civil War & the inner struggles of a boy learning to become a man (character traits). It does this well without being too heavy. We read this for history as a read aloud-- my daughter (grade3) really enjoyed it!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decided to re read this quickly once more before giving it away. Good historical fiction and a lesson for ALL of us in this age of "TMI" and oversharing of personal information. Took only about a day to finish, but glad I took the time

[Sara Carmona · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing style of this book was really poetic, and I loved how the author developed Brady as a character who really is about twelve. It could be a good book to recommend during a history unit about the Underground Railroad.

[Cws]

JAR5-Fri

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one from school. It was okay. Not the worst school book ever. Wouldn't mind reading it again if I ever had to.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes it is a book for the young reader . It is one I would recommend for its interesting story and characters.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this as part of our history curriculum and Keagan loved it. It's a good story and I would recommend it for preteens.

[Claire Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love love love this book!!! I highly recommend it!

[Sheila Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this on my shelf forever. Why didn't I read this sooner?

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully timeless historical fiction on the issues of pre-Civil War slavery, the Abolitionist Movement, and the Underground Railroad.

[Ruvim Andrushchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with some references to history and religion. I really enjoyed reading this suspenseful book!!! I would definitely recommend this book to young readers?

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving story! I love Jean Fritz's writing and this one does not disappoint.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book! I read it aloud to my kids(ages 5-12). They loved it! Beautiful telling of the Underground Railroad, it's dangers, and the variety of human emotions surrounding it.

[Grace Verkler]

It was really good!

[Sarah]

Very good middle school read

[Jax Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, especially now