Name: Daphne's review of Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson
Item: Brave Face
Rating: 4
Author: Daphne

Shaun David Hutchinson

Critically acclaimed author of We Are the Ants—described as having “hints of Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five” (School Library Journal)—opens up about what led to an attempted suicide in his teens, and his path back from the experience. “I wasn’t depressed because I was gay. I was depressed and gay.” Shaun David Hutchinson was nineteen. Confused. Struggling to find the vocabulary to understand and accept who he was and how he fit into a community in which he couldn’t see himself. The voice of depression told him that he would never be loved or wanted, while powerful and hurtful messages from society told him that being gay meant love and happiness weren’t for him. A million moments large and small over the years all came together to convince Shaun that he couldn’t keep going, that he had no future. And so he followed through on trying to make that a reality. Thankfully Shaun survived, and over time, came to embrace how grateful he is and how to find self-acceptance. In this courageous and deeply honest memoir, Shaun takes readers through the journey of what brought him to the edge, and what has helped him truly believe that it does get better.

A Memoir

Brave Face

Sebastián

“[P]rofound…a triumph—a full-throated howl to the moon to remind us why we choose to survive and thrive.” —Brendan Kiely, New York Times bestselling author of Tradition “Razor-sharp, deeply revealing, and brutally honest…emotionally raw and deeply insightful.” —Booklist (starred review) The critically acclaimed author of We Are the Ants opens up about what led to an attempted suicide in his teens, and his path back from the experience. “I wasn’t depressed because I was gay. I was depressed and gay.” Shaun David Hutchinson was nineteen. Confused. Struggling to find the vocabulary to understand and accept who he was and how he fit into a community in which he couldn’t see himself. The voice of depression told him that he would never be loved or wanted, while powerful and hurtful messages from society told him that being gay meant love and happiness weren’t for him. A million moments large and small over the years all came together to convince Shaun that he couldn’t keep going, that he had no future. And so he followed through on trying to make that a reality. Thankfully Shaun survived, and over time, came to embrace how grateful he is and how to find self-acceptance. In this courageous and deeply honest memoir, Shaun takes readers through the journey of what brought him to the edge, and what has helped him truly believe that it does get better.

Daphne

Amanda Kordeliski

This is a really tough but important read. If anyone ever wonders how damaging stereotypes can be to confused teenagers, this book spells it out. My heart breaks for teenage Shaun, but the honesty about the struggle with depression is so important. To recognize that things will get better, but may not stay better, and how to ask for help if that happens, is essential for teens struggling to hear.

mia ¿

** spoiler alert **
           i read the first quarter of this book last year when simon teen had an extended excerpt listed on their website for free. i remember reading it really quickly all in one night, so i was very excited to see that this month they had the whole book for free!!! i reread the first part to refresh but still finished it rather quickly (which is surprising cuz i hate reading books online).

i don't have too much to say about this book but i think the writing was very accessible and the pacing was great, which i imagine could be hard with a memoir (i don't tend to read them tho so what do i know). it was pretty sad in a lot of parts but i think it was very realistic and at least ended with a hopeful message. 5 stars cuz i can't really think of anything wrong with it. :)

Sebastián &
Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson

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Sebastián &Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson

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Sebastián &
Brave Face by Shaun David Hutchinson