Reviews

Brown, by Håkon Øvreås

vicisbookblog's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

tcbueti's review

5.0

I really liked the creativity of this, and how the grandpas's watch would work at night when Rusty could become Brown his alter ego superhero. Also, the persistent and sniggering bullies were very realistic.
Although he is new (6 months) he does make friends just through hiding from the bullies and banding together to get back at them.

kimily's review against another edition

5.0

I love this author's style. The idea of transforming into a superhero in order to cope with bullies and the death of a beloved family member is possible the most relatable thing I've ever read. The fact that Brown's (Rusty's) superpower is painting things brown is really satisfying for reasons I can't explain. Brown is soon joined in superhero-dom by Black and Blue, aka his friends Jack and Lou, and the shenanigans start getting out of hand. The book resolves nicely, but, in my case at least, leaves the reader wanting more of these characters.

scostner's review against another edition

3.0

This is the first book in a series that is popular in Norway. Rusty is a boy who has trouble with bullies - one of whom is the minister's son (who really ought to know better). His family has moved to the country, his grandfather has died, and the bullies have destroyed the fort he and his friend Jack were building. Things aren't going really well. But after watching a movie about a superhero, he gets an idea. With the help of Jack, their classmate Lou, Grandpa's old pocket watch, and a giraffe's ear, Rusty might be able to settle things with the bullies and come to terms with his Grandpa's death, too.

Rusty is dealing with several situations that are common in childhood - the death of a grandparent, being the new kid after a move, and bullies. It doesn't help that his mother is not coping well with Grandpa's death and doesn't want any trouble, or that the minister seems oblivious to his son's antisocial behavior. But the friends stick together and sometimes a few friends is all you really need to get over a rough spot.

I read an ARC of the English translation of the book.

naughty_librarian's review

5.0

I picked up this book because it won this year’s Mildred Batchelder award, and I was not disappointed. This is an absolutely fantastic chapter book for early elementary kids. The tough topics of grief and loneliness are handled here with humor and imagination, accompanied by charming illustrations. Kids will want to go build a fort, dress up like a superhero and fight injustice after reading this, and maybe make some new friends too. I loved how realistically weird (turns out that is a thing!) the one friend Jack is with his tall tales, and I can see myself as the little redheaded girl Lou with her horse pictures.

mldavisreads's review against another edition

4.0

Middle grade illustrated fiction. This story is translated from the Norwegian, so I was curious before I even realized that it was this year's Batchelder award-winner book (recognizing excellence in translated literature). Rusty is a young boy who recently moved to the area to be closer to his grandfather. However his grandfather passes away. Rusty doesn't seem to be affected by his grandfather's death, but he is working through it in his own way. When a group of older boys start picking on Rusty, he decides to take action. Enter his altar ego Brown, the superhero that is dressed all in brown and paints things brown. Soon he has two allies--Black and Blue. A cute story that has a melancholy feel to it. A story of friendship, grief, and standing up for yourself. I would be curious to read the rest of the series, I wonder if they will be translated as well.