What do you think?
Rate this book
The Two-spirit Chronicles #2
A Scout Is Brave
Set in the late 1990s in the months following the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, "A Scout is Brave," tells the coming-of-age story of 14-year-old Joshua Ishkoday, a part Native American boy coming to terms with his sexual orientation. Joshua is new to the Boy Scout troop that invites him to a week of summer camp in northern Wisconsin. Some of the weaker kids in the troop soon realize they have a special friend in Joshua, who is not afraid to stand up to some of the troop's ruthless bullies.
Joshua’s bravery and kindness is infectious, and the bullied Scouts quickly see their own inner worth and strength. Joshua, however, is plagued by self-doubt as he comes to terms with his developing feelings for Cody, the son of the troop’s tough and stern Scoutmaster. The two quickly realize they have more in common than just Scouting, as they confide in each other their deepest secrets and develop a close friendship.
That friendship soon faces its greatest challenge, as the homophobic troop bullies come to believe that a “faggot” has “infected” their troop. Struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and with the troop bullies, while at the same time discovering the camp's deep, dark secret, Joshua has to summon all of his courage and learn for the first time what it truly means to be brave.
A Scout is Brave is especially timely in light of the increased media attention to anti-gay bullying and the string of high profile gay teen suicides. The novel powerfully portrays the psychology of bullying and demonstrates the pervasiveness of bigotry in some of America's most cherished institutions.
Joshua’s bravery and kindness is infectious, and the bullied Scouts quickly see their own inner worth and strength. Joshua, however, is plagued by self-doubt as he comes to terms with his developing feelings for Cody, the son of the troop’s tough and stern Scoutmaster. The two quickly realize they have more in common than just Scouting, as they confide in each other their deepest secrets and develop a close friendship.
That friendship soon faces its greatest challenge, as the homophobic troop bullies come to believe that a “faggot” has “infected” their troop. Struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and with the troop bullies, while at the same time discovering the camp's deep, dark secret, Joshua has to summon all of his courage and learn for the first time what it truly means to be brave.
A Scout is Brave is especially timely in light of the increased media attention to anti-gay bullying and the string of high profile gay teen suicides. The novel powerfully portrays the psychology of bullying and demonstrates the pervasiveness of bigotry in some of America's most cherished institutions.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2010
About the author
Jay Jordan Hawke
6 books27 followersJay Jordan Hawke is the award winning author of the Two-spirit Chronicles, which includes:
Book 1: Pukawiss the Outcast, a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Best Young Adult Gay fiction.
Book 2: A Scout is Brave, a 2015 Rainbow Award winner for Best Young Adult Gay Fiction.
Book 3: Onwaachige the Dreamer.
He has also written one history book under his real name, entitled: "A Kind of Pantheism: Cosmic Pessimism and the Quest for a Biocentric Ethic." Academica Press, 2025.
Book 1: Pukawiss the Outcast, a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Best Young Adult Gay fiction.
Book 2: A Scout is Brave, a 2015 Rainbow Award winner for Best Young Adult Gay Fiction.
Book 3: Onwaachige the Dreamer.
He has also written one history book under his real name, entitled: "A Kind of Pantheism: Cosmic Pessimism and the Quest for a Biocentric Ethic." Academica Press, 2025.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 7, 2015
Joshua goes to camp.
Boy Scout camp is a chance to get away from his mother and aunt and be back in nature, so Joshua's excited. During the long bus trip there, he realizes his new town is much different than any other place he's ever live, Eagle River or the Rez. The people are different.
When he sees a bully picking on a lone kid, Joshua steps up and speaks out, not understanding why anyone would do that and why anyone isn't saying anything. So, starts the week of camp.
There are the usual sorts of head buttings one would expect. The kids go through their hierarchy establishment routines, some much more invested in it than others. Then there's the didactic, homophobic comments by the Joshua's Scoutmaster. Since he's also his new local church pastor it is not surprising as his mother approves and was reared espousing the church's doctrines. They are bald and unrepentant.
The exposition portions of Hawk's writing are stilted and it's been awhile since I've read an omniscient POV. It felt intrusive here with the multiple head spaces inhabited briefly and intermittently. On the plus side, it added to the supernatural feel to the story.
Joshua's given Ojibwe name means One Whose Dreams Come True and here Joshua's dreams become darker, more violent, and horrifying. And that dream he had at his grandfather's house finds him. Joshua's visions are growing stronger.
Again, this is a growing up story as Joshua learns more and begins to understand himself even better. And, as per usual, there are adults failing to be adults. There is a spotlight on self and self preservation as a motivating factor for others, how Joshua is fundamentally different than those around him, and how that affects other campers, too.
The unbalanced supervision of either a blind eye or the eye of Sauron by the adults in the story is disturbing. Their lack of maturity and leadership is disappointing. The campers end up learning to solve things themselves and that doesn't necessarily end well. Sometimes it ends very badly. Though the skill amassed by Cody was finely honed, and his argument for irrationality was excellent and made me smile.
The conclusion featured a radical time portal shift with zero warning or even a break to designate it as separate from the story recitation. And while it was a noble concept, the execution was awkward and overbearing. I found this story clunkier than the first, more heavy-handed, and angrier in tone. Nonetheless, while it was as interesting to me, I was happy to spend more time with Joshua and look forward to the next.
I strongly recommend reading the first book, Pukawiss, before this.
~Copy provided by Netgalley~
Boy Scout camp is a chance to get away from his mother and aunt and be back in nature, so Joshua's excited. During the long bus trip there, he realizes his new town is much different than any other place he's ever live, Eagle River or the Rez. The people are different.
When he sees a bully picking on a lone kid, Joshua steps up and speaks out, not understanding why anyone would do that and why anyone isn't saying anything. So, starts the week of camp.
There are the usual sorts of head buttings one would expect. The kids go through their hierarchy establishment routines, some much more invested in it than others. Then there's the didactic, homophobic comments by the Joshua's Scoutmaster. Since he's also his new local church pastor it is not surprising as his mother approves and was reared espousing the church's doctrines. They are bald and unrepentant.
The exposition portions of Hawk's writing are stilted and it's been awhile since I've read an omniscient POV. It felt intrusive here with the multiple head spaces inhabited briefly and intermittently. On the plus side, it added to the supernatural feel to the story.
Joshua's given Ojibwe name means One Whose Dreams Come True and here Joshua's dreams become darker, more violent, and horrifying. And that dream he had at his grandfather's house finds him. Joshua's visions are growing stronger.
Again, this is a growing up story as Joshua learns more and begins to understand himself even better. And, as per usual, there are adults failing to be adults. There is a spotlight on self and self preservation as a motivating factor for others, how Joshua is fundamentally different than those around him, and how that affects other campers, too.
The unbalanced supervision of either a blind eye or the eye of Sauron by the adults in the story is disturbing. Their lack of maturity and leadership is disappointing. The campers end up learning to solve things themselves and that doesn't necessarily end well. Sometimes it ends very badly. Though the skill amassed by Cody was finely honed, and his argument for irrationality was excellent and made me smile.
The conclusion featured a radical time portal shift with zero warning or even a break to designate it as separate from the story recitation. And while it was a noble concept, the execution was awkward and overbearing. I found this story clunkier than the first, more heavy-handed, and angrier in tone. Nonetheless, while it was as interesting to me, I was happy to spend more time with Joshua and look forward to the next.
I strongly recommend reading the first book, Pukawiss, before this.
~Copy provided by Netgalley~
January 15, 2015
I have to start off this review by saying, I really enjoyed Pukawiss and was so excited to read this. I knew there had to be more to come because the story could not have ended where it did in the last book. I’m so glad I finally had the chance to read this. It was just as good as I wanted it to be, and maybe even a little better than I expected.
A Scout is Brave is the sequel to Pukawiss. Joshua, the MC, is living with his mom and away from the reservation. He goes camping with his Boy Scouts Troop and there he meets, Cody, the Scoutmasters son. The relationship grows throughout the book and it was really nice to feel things happening between them.
Like the first book, romance was not the main part of this book. There were a lot of things going on. From the homophobic bullying to the tragic story of Tommy Drapos. Both of those were connected in many ways and made this story a very interesting, and sometimes dark read. That’s the type of thing I’m drawn to when reading. It makes the experience better for me.
This isn’t an easy read, far from it. It deals with some things (like bullying) that kids go through, even if you’re not gay. And I think in that sense, it makes Joshua a much more relatable character. You don’t have to be gay to know what he has to deal with when it comes to the bullies. But saying that, at times the bullying he had to deal with is a bit more extreme than the bullying most would go through. That just made him a more lovable character, in my opinion, and it made me want to protect him because nobody deserves to suffer through that.
The ending… I’m not sure what I think of the ending. Part of me thinks it was good. But since I think there is more to come, I would have preferred a slightly different ending. The last chapter was just so intense, it would have been nice for a lesser time jump. But I still want to read more of Joshua, and maybe even Cody’s journeys. So that’s definitely a good thing.
A Scout Is Brave is a 4.5 star read for me and I can’t wait to see what happens next with the story. I’m sure it will be just as good as the first two books.
A copy of this book was provided by Harmony Ink Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review can also be found on Greedy Bug Book Reviews.
A Scout is Brave is the sequel to Pukawiss. Joshua, the MC, is living with his mom and away from the reservation. He goes camping with his Boy Scouts Troop and there he meets, Cody, the Scoutmasters son. The relationship grows throughout the book and it was really nice to feel things happening between them.
Like the first book, romance was not the main part of this book. There were a lot of things going on. From the homophobic bullying to the tragic story of Tommy Drapos. Both of those were connected in many ways and made this story a very interesting, and sometimes dark read. That’s the type of thing I’m drawn to when reading. It makes the experience better for me.
This isn’t an easy read, far from it. It deals with some things (like bullying) that kids go through, even if you’re not gay. And I think in that sense, it makes Joshua a much more relatable character. You don’t have to be gay to know what he has to deal with when it comes to the bullies. But saying that, at times the bullying he had to deal with is a bit more extreme than the bullying most would go through. That just made him a more lovable character, in my opinion, and it made me want to protect him because nobody deserves to suffer through that.
The ending… I’m not sure what I think of the ending. Part of me thinks it was good. But since I think there is more to come, I would have preferred a slightly different ending. The last chapter was just so intense, it would have been nice for a lesser time jump. But I still want to read more of Joshua, and maybe even Cody’s journeys. So that’s definitely a good thing.
A Scout Is Brave is a 4.5 star read for me and I can’t wait to see what happens next with the story. I’m sure it will be just as good as the first two books.
A copy of this book was provided by Harmony Ink Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review can also be found on Greedy Bug Book Reviews.
September 17, 2012
This was a well-written book with likable, believable main characters in Joshua and Cody. I loved the Native American perspective and most of the boy scouts and the adults were well-drawn characters. The developing relationship between Joshua and Cody was really well-handled and very heartfelt. My only complaints are both regarding the two endings: without giving anything away, I thought that the "first" ending - the climax to the main story - was way too over-the-top and not really believable. I know this story is set in the months shortly after Matthew Shepherd's brutal murder, but Shepherd's murderers were adults, not kids. I didn't believe a willingness to commit murder on the part of a high school kid in this story. I've spent many years of my life working with gang members and other kids who have actually killed someone, and it's not something that comes easy to most of us, especially if there isn't a strong reason to kill (or psycho-pathology and/or major brain washing, as happens with gang members - neither of which was part of this story.) I also did not like the epilogue and wish it had been left out in favor of a sequel. Again, without giving away details, it skips over what must have been many difficult years in the lives of Josh and Cody and acts like their lives were smooth and trouble-free. Based on what the author already established about these two boys and their home lives, I found this too pat and unrealistic. All things being equal, however, this is a terrifically engaging book with characters you will like and care about. For me, that's an ingredient every good book must have, and this one is very good. I highly recommend it!
December 17, 2015
A Scout is Brave is a story about overcoming one of humanity's biggest imperfections, hatred. Joshua is going to scout camp for a week with a new troop. It is his first time around these boys and their leader Pastor Bob. Most of the boys and Pastor Bob exhibit behaviors that are cruel to homosexuals or anyone with differences. Joshua fears them noticing him because he is gay. In the scouts being gay is considered social suicide. Joshua makes friends but is subjected to cruel treatment from another group of boys. Joshua isn't the first to face such cruel hated at scout camp. There is a legend of a boy who died because of his sexual preferences. Joshua must learn how to survive and who to trust while at camp. A Scout is Brave represents more than just overcoming obstacles. It represents the choices people make to hate someone because of differences. Jay Jordan Hawke wrote this book using very strong imagery that sucks the reader into Joshua's pain. This book deals with issues that so many books refuse to tackle, such as rape and sexuality. This book is a must read for everyone especially those who have ever been cruel to someone for being different. This book demonstrates that all consuming hate is so powerful that it can damage your soul but in the end compassion and kindness are more powerful than any demon such as hatred.
December 22, 2014
Although I had some inkling of my sexual proclivities they weren't as well known when I was a scout. Gay was not a common word used in my tiny town. I just knew I had a big secret. It's really ironic how the BSA fought so hard to fight gay scouts when we were there all along. I've since found a few of my Troop members were gay as well.
I loved the authors telling of the American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies for the Order of the Arrow. It was exactly as told except the campfire was started by a flaming arrow launched at it. I too was inducted in the Lenni-Lenape lodge one ceremonial night. It brought back many good memories.
I loved the authors telling of the American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies for the Order of the Arrow. It was exactly as told except the campfire was started by a flaming arrow launched at it. I too was inducted in the Lenni-Lenape lodge one ceremonial night. It brought back many good memories.
September 7, 2012
A really thought provoking book. I am using it for a reading group in one of my classes this semester and I plan to use it again next semester. It brings up a lot of important issues about bullying and homophobia, especially within the boy scouts. (It is set at boy scout camp and the characters are all scouts, but the ideas can be applied anywhere.
December 11, 2017
This book was poorly written, lacked a consistent narrative voice, and felt very dated in its treatment of gay male characters. It used its indigenous narrator poorly, and was didactic in the worst way possible.
January 10, 2015
Another great story from Jay Jordan Hawke. Again, I loved the insight into Native American culture. Would love to read more from this author.
December 9, 2015
A story every young people should read. Very touching and well written, it really gets to the reader. A must for growing up kids.
October 14, 2019
Wow ! What an excellent book. It all rang so true for me, especially the Boy Scout Summer camp setting, the induction into the Order of the Arrow and the deep fear of anyone finding out that you are gay.
December 3, 2018
Didn't know this was a sequel when I picked it up, but it works as a stand-alone. I think this counts as "juvenile fiction," but be warned that the language can get harsh.
January 2, 2020
A good coming of age story
January 30, 2011
I was headed off on vacation to a tropical locale and wanted something to read that would balance out the more weighty reading I had planned. ASIB appealed to me because I started to become aware of my own gayness while a member of Cub then Boy Scouts. In fact, it was on an overnight camping trip I had some of my first exploratory "experiences" with my fellow scouts. But.. enough about me and how I came to want to read the book. I'm also interested in the path that adolescents take to find their wholeness so this genre of coming of age, coming to terms, and coming out literature appeals to me. I would hope that it would also appeal to young folks and I think this book would. First and foremost, it is a good story following an easy to navigate arc of setting, characters, rising action, climax, resolution. I'm around kids this age all the time as a public school educator and the interactions portrayed in the novel ring true. The coalescence of the two groups of students who end up squaring off and changing loyalties is authentic. What is a bit on the edge for this reader is the mystical aspect of the primary character's fascination and exploration of the mystical aspects of being a Native American. I don't think I have come across a student of this age with such a strong defined sense of self and identity and the courage to go against the grain - really against the grain. Not joining a fringe group (goths, rockers, hipsters, etc.) of peers - but really go it alone (mystical native Americans?). Some literature in this genre (if you are not quite sure what the genre is – just look at what Amazon recommends after you purchase or look at this item) is not well written. The authors tend to be “emerging” and fine tuning their craft. This one is farther along that arc that others I have read. In short:
Pluses: well defined characters and relationships that ring true. The author delivers a clear story arc that allows and encourages page turning and quick reading.
Minuses: a stretch of credibility with the primary character’s embracing Native American mysticism in early adolescence.
Pluses: well defined characters and relationships that ring true. The author delivers a clear story arc that allows and encourages page turning and quick reading.
Minuses: a stretch of credibility with the primary character’s embracing Native American mysticism in early adolescence.
March 26, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four stars!
It wasn’t until I opened the book that I realized it was the second book in a series. Had I not known that beforehand I would have never known since the book can stand all by itself. I loved how Joshua grew from the beginning of the book until the end. He went from a kid with no friends, to being the one everyone looked up to. It was hard to read all of the bullying and homophobia in the book. However it was very appropriate for the time period (mid-late nineties) and setting of the book. I did like how Joshua handled the bullies and stood up for his friends. When Cody answered the most important question Levi asked, I wanted to throw something! I hated Cody right then. I was so glad that he made up for it. I’m hoping for more from Joshua and Cody in the future. I know there’s a third book being written and I hope I get to read it at some point!
Four stars!
It wasn’t until I opened the book that I realized it was the second book in a series. Had I not known that beforehand I would have never known since the book can stand all by itself. I loved how Joshua grew from the beginning of the book until the end. He went from a kid with no friends, to being the one everyone looked up to. It was hard to read all of the bullying and homophobia in the book. However it was very appropriate for the time period (mid-late nineties) and setting of the book. I did like how Joshua handled the bullies and stood up for his friends. When Cody answered the most important question Levi asked, I wanted to throw something! I hated Cody right then. I was so glad that he made up for it. I’m hoping for more from Joshua and Cody in the future. I know there’s a third book being written and I hope I get to read it at some point!
December 13, 2015
A Scout is Brave by Jay Jordan Hawke: http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid... 2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
July 8, 2016
Exceptional sequel to the first. I couldn't wait even an hour after finishing the first to begin reading the second. And the same for the third.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews