by Mariann Edgar Budde (adapted by Bryan Bliss)

Mariann Edgar Budde is an incredible person with an inspirational story to share with the world. Her journey to becoming  an Episcopal Bishop is beautifully intertwined with God´s love to help her. She found God in her life as an independent junior in high school living on her own with major changes and decisions in her life. She writes about how God helped her overcome and find stability in life, and a community in New Jersey when she had none. She shares stories, scriptures, books, and metaphors at each turn in her life, she shows that in everything there are signs of God. After moving to New Jersey, she moved to Minnesota and then Washington DC. All of the moves for church, she became bishop eventually, and gave many sermons. Some of the sermons she gave were criticized and when she made mistakes, she always made it right. Mariann shows that, like all people, she makes many mistakes too, and that without God she might have crashed her own ship. She writes about how stepping up to the plate and swinging is better than never stepping up at all. After all, you do miss 100% of the swings you never make. Mariann teaches children how to push past fear and make courageous choices. By combining personal stories, scripture, and tales from pop culture, the book encourages young readers to recognize that bravery is a lifelong journey practiced in everyday moments. 

This book is strong and inspiring with many relatable stories about Mariann´s life, and her journey to the  Episcopal Diocese of Washington. It´s a book everyone will need in their life at some point with its punchy prose. Mariann Edgar Budde wrote this book with a strong female lead, based off of her famous sermon called a House Built on Rock. She made this book after her sermon got famous. Her sermon was standing up to President Donald Trump after he claimed to be Christian. It is a highly spiritual book about the Episcopal church. She mentions her family life and journey on the path of becoming the Washington DC Episcopal church bishop. It is political, spiritual, and inspiring. It mentions a bit about her view and the church´s view on LGBTQ+ rights and political views. It follows her path and how others have affected it such as family, co-workers, members of her church, political people, other bishops, and God’s role in her life. 

I liked how inspiring We Can Be Brave is and how much it shows that God can help you in your life when times are tough or when life is challenging. I feel that God gave me this book to read at this time in my life for a reason. With change in life, it can be good to have the reminder to think in a divine perspective. 

I did not like how there was not super clear points or break of section, while the book was good and was divided into chapters, it was hard to get into the book and then find a good stopping part. It was harder to get through or into than other non-fiction books that I have read. It was inspiring and punchy along with precise language. 

Overall, I’d give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. Book includes bibliographic notes at the end.

Reviewed by 7th grader, Eliza B. from Komachin Middle School