How to Be Brave: A Novel (Hardcover)
Chosen as one of the best YA Novels of November by Bustle.com
A Buzzfeed YA Book To Watch
Featured on School Library Journal's Size Acceptance YA List
Georgia has always lived life on the sidelines: uncomfortable with her weight, awkward, never been kissed, terrified of failing.
Then her mom dies and her world is turned upside down. But instead of getting lost in her pain, she decides to enjoy life while she still can by truly living for the first time. She makes a list of ways to be brave-all the things she's always wanted to do but has been too afraid to try: learn to draw, try out for cheerleading, cut class, ask him out, kiss him, see what happens from there.
But she's about to discover that life doesn't always go according to plan. Sometimes friendships fall apart and love breaks your heart. But in the process, you realize you're stronger than you ever imagined...
This fearless, big-hearted, deeply moving book will make you laugh, cry, and inspire you to be brave.
"How to Be Brave is not so much a story about grief as it is a story about living life... a perfect blend of the melancholy with the fun and uplifting." --Forever Literary
"Georgia's thoughts often take the form of poems, which are interspersed within the narrative, and they give the story, and Georgia's feelings, extra depth...Georgia is a pleasingly imperfect lead." --School Library Journal
"Kottaras’ writing kept me interested the whole time, and the plot twists made me want to laugh and cry simultaneously." --TeenReads
"A moving and surprisingly sweet novel about pushing on and discovering one’s capabilities" --Paste Magazine
"Georgia's story is going to make you cry and inspire you to start your bucket list now." --Bustle.com
“How to Be Brave is a celebration of life, from the captivating open page to the emotional ending. Kottaras acutely and poetically depicts the painful struggle of re-finding yourself after a defining loss-and the stark effects of both success and failure along the way-in a lovely, heartfelt debut.” —Dahlia Adler, author of Behind the Scenes
“Just enough sass, just enough heart, and a narrator to root for. How to be Brave ushered me into another yet familiar world. Come along for the ride. You'll be glad you did.” —Ron Koertge, award winning author of Coaltown Jesus
“Powerful and rare, How to Be Brave is a wonderfully told story with gleams of humor and wit that will inspire readers to live their lives for real.” —Robyn Schneider, bestselling author of The Beginning of Everything
“Georgia's realistically profane voice aptly captures her personality, carrying the novel; her traverse through grief and experimentation make for a believable and satisfying character arc. A thoughtful exploration of grief and life.” —Kirkus Reviews
“How To Be Brave does a cartwheel in your heart. It artfully reminds us that bravery forges a path through fear and grief.” —Courtney C. Stevens, author of Faking Normal
“Kottaras's debut traces Georgia's struggles and triumphs as she reluctantly sets out to fulfill her mother's final wish for her to try new things and be fearless. Georgia's Greek-American heritage offers a distinctive backdrop for the novel's themes of emotional healing and self-discovery, while Georgia herself emerges as a realistically flawed and genuine protagonist.” —Publishers Weekly
"A perfect book for anyone trying to figure out what they want their life to look like, and how to be brave enough to make that life a reality." --Booklist
"An exceptional novel that will hold the reader's rapt attention from beginning to end." — Midwest Book Review
"This inventive debut novel is a strong opening for Kottaras." — VOYA