Bright

by Brigit Young

"Real, relatable, and fully dimensional, Marianne is a main character you will root for with all your heart." ―Dan Gemeinhart, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Midnight Children

In this poignant middle grade novel, a struggling student joins her school's celebrated quiz team in a bid to avoid failing eighth grade.

Marianne Blume has always known she’s not smart.

After years of trying and trying at school, she’s mastered the art of getting by on a combination of luck, deflection, and her winning personality―that is, until she lands in the classroom of Mr. Garcia. Suddenly she’s at risk of flunking his class, repeating the eighth grade, and getting left behind by her best friend, Skyla. To receive much-needed extra credit and get into high school, Marianne makes the desperate decision to join her school’s Quiz Quest team, only to find out that her teammates have problems of their own―and that they need to win for her to get the credit.


Now Marianne will need to try―like, actually try―for the first time in her life, while also helping her teammates pull it together. Can Marianne learn to be smart? What does it mean to be “bright,” anyway? And will she be left in eighth grade forever?


Brigit Young ( The Prettiest ) has written an empowering story about bucking labels, overcoming preconceptions, and learning to hold your head―and hand―up high.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Trivia, Juvenile

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Brigit Young is the author of four middle grade novels: WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, THE PRETTIEST, BRIGHT, and BANNED BOOKS, CROP TOPS, AND OTHER BAD INFLUENCES. Additionally, Brigit has published poetry and short fiction in dozens of literary journals and taught creative writing to kids of all ages.

Brigit lives in New Jersey with her husband, daughters, gecko, and dog. She loves British mystery TV shows, hanging out with her fabulous kids, and tending to her garden.

Reviews

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright is the Reading Middle Grade Patreon Book Club pick for July! Join our chat with author Brigit Young tomorrow, Wednesday, July 31, at 11 AM EST!

Join us on Patreon!

Bright is a deeply insightful book about labels, persistence, and self-belief, featuring themes like sisterhood, female friendships, and family. This one will be extra meaningful to the kids (like me) who are so afraid of failure that they stop trying. It also teaches a valuable lesson that learning isn’t effortless — for anyone. More importantly, it’s a poignant reminder that book smarts aren’t the only valuable skill. People skills are incredibly powerful, especially for leading others. Overall, a stellar novel worth reading.

Read my full review on the blog.

Thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly could maybe go 4.5 on this. Such a wonderful and important middle grade book. Absolutely loved it and I think it's such a special story that deserves to be told. It was so healing for my inner child. 💗

Also just as a side note--there's a review that claims the book doesn't explicitly state that one of the side characters is queer, but personally I thought it was very clear? I don't think the book was trying to hide anything--it was straightforward to me!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young does a great job of getting inside the heads of middle school characters. I think lots of students will find someone to connect with as Marianne starts to believe in herself as a learner! Great for any middle school!

[Angela Forland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over Andrew Clement! The next best author of kids school experiences is here! I have read all of Brigit Young’s books and have LOVED everyone of them! The ability to capture students thoughts and struggles is fantastic. I highly recommend reading this book.

[Emily]

I think I read like one middle grade book a year and end up wondering why I don't do it more, lol. This was so much fun even as I was stressed out and angry on Marianne's behalf!

[Laurie]

I ADORED this book! BRIGHT stars eighth grader Marianne Blume, who has internalized the idea that she isn't smart or capable of learning. Marianne has developed all sorts of techniques for disengaging in school; she’s perfected a bubbly, school-is-no-big-deal-to-me persona, she’s befriended her teachers, and she never tries too hard because that way she can't be too embarrassed or disappointed if she fails. But then she finds out she's in danger of failing eighth grade and staying behind in middle school while everyone else moves on to high school. Her only chance at passing math is to join the Quiz Quest team so she can get enough extra credit from her least favorite teacher, who also leads the club…but she can't get the extra credit unless she actually tries.

There are so many things I love about this book:
-a close third-person POV that proves third person can sometimes bring you even closer to a main character than the ostensibly more intimate first
-a nuanced, not at all stereotypical look at a kid who struggles in school
-an extremely poignant depiction of how other people's comments can shape how we see ourselves
-a beautiful portrayal of different kinds of intelligence, especially interpersonal intelligence
-great secondary characters and rich, complex relationships between friends, family members, and even teachers and kids
-really compelling, compulsively readable trivia competition scenes

BRIGHT is fun, funny, and fast-paced while also being thought-provoking and deeply emotional. I think it's especially timely now, with all the discussion about kids being behind academically because of the pandemic. Highly recommend!

[Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came to me unexpectedly and I loved the cover and the description, so I picked it up! This was a sweet middle grade story about Marianne, who struggles academically in school. She does not have any learning disabilities, but just has trouble understanding concepts, especially in math. After joining the quiz team, Marianne begins to learn study skills with the help of her new friends. She also learns how to be a better friend and that she likes helping people. This story stresses that you don’t need to get all A’s or be a perfect student to be smart, or bright. I really enjoyed this one!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a sympathetic protagonist and lots of interesting bits of trivia, Bright presents readers with a school story with lots of heart. For middle grade readers who enjoy stories with relatable characters and situations, Bright is a good choice. Like all too many students, Marianne struggles in school and has since 3rd grade. After multiple humiliating experiences, she has learned to cope by convincing herself that she's not smart enough and avoiding participating as much as she can. She covers her uncertainty with giggles and self-deprecation and up until the 8th grade she's gotten away with it. Unfortunately, as the story begins, she learns that unless something changes and she really ups her grades, she's going to have to repeat 8th grade. She doesn't want to be left behind, especially as her best friend Skyla moves on, but old habits are hard to break. In an effort to earn some extra credit, she joins the schools Quiz Quest team. She quickly discovers though that her plan to cruise through by giving wrong answers isn't only wrong, but isn't going to work. As she grows to care for her teammates, she discovers her people skills are really needed and it is possible for her to learn. But are her efforts going to be enough to save her from having to repeat a grade? And what's going on with her best friend, Skyla? After all they've been through together is their relationship finished?

The best part of the book, in my opinion, are the relationships. They felt real, with all the ups and downs. Skyla and Marianne come across as very real as does their relationship. The Quiz Quest team struggles with overcoming their weaknesses and becoming a team. The trivia scattered throughout the book was fun and well-integrated. The ending felt both satisfying and realistic without being overly sappy. There is some profanity and LGBTQ+ relationships are included in the story. Recommended.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this novel to be thoughtful and frustrating especially as a retired teacher reader. I don’t mean frustrating in a bad way. I just felt our main character needed interventions earlier in her academic career.
The author has written a story considering personal strengths amid societal labels. Marianne Blume is a struggling eighth grader. She “didn’t know a lot, but she knew she was stupid.” This is not a new situation for Marianne since she has always been this way in school. But things are about to get more serious as she is on the brink of moving on to high school. Along with the threat of having to repeat the eighth grade she also must navigate her classmates’ teasing and mockery. For this reason Marianne pretends a “bubbly and unbothered” persona that masks her real and underlying thoughts. When her principal does share the news that she may have to repeat a year, she commits to upping her grades. A bit late in the game considering middle school is coming to a fast end. Being left behind by her class, including best friend Skya, who already seems to be making new friends, is almost unbearable. So, desperate to win extra credit from her strict math teacher, Marianne joins three of the school’s smartest kids on Quiz Quest Team. How can Marianne be accepted into such an exclusive club focused on academics? Well the team is as desperate for another member as she is for a passing grade. Despite a rough start, the teammates make a number of important discoveries throughout the season, including Marianne’s considerable empathy and social skills.
Not like all underachievers, Marianne was a success story as she realized the concepts of what it means to work hard. It was not a smooth transition for Marianne.
A very well written novel for middle school readers. I found satisfaction in watching a character grow into someone even she didn’t know she could be

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this was such a good story, and not just because it features A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Marianne is an eighth grader who is charming and bubbly and laughs at herself whenever she doesn't know an answer. Which is almost always. It's fascinating and frustrating for me to read about people like this because I think about "class clowns" in middle school and wonder about them. And while I can relate painfully to a lot of Marianne's math experiences, I never would have intentionally zoned out and intentionally made a joke of myself. And that's what Marianne does for most of the story.

I really appreciate her family and friends and their responses to her; that felt very realistic.

In the end, the story is sweet and touching and I just wanted to give all these stressed, scared young people a hug. You are loved. You are enough. Gosh, it's sad how we all struggle to believe this.

Finally, yay for a surprise supporting character with cerebral palsy!

[Gemma Nguyen Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I feel awkward perusing the juvenile fiction section of my local library as a 25 year old woman, but books like this will make me come back again and again. Marianne is such a lovable and relatable main character. She is so strong and amazing even if she doesn’t see herself that way. The author does a wonderful job in showing that all types of people: high achievers, low achievers, introverts, extroverts, parents, teachers, homebodies, socialites, etc, have their own struggles, insecurities, and stories. I wish my sister and I could have read this together when we were back in high school because this book does such a great job communicating tough family dynamics and expectations in an easy to understand manner, with a riveting plot to boot. I was in tears at multiple points throughout this story. Totally recommend this book to people of all ages!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet realistic middle grade novel. Marianne has always struggled with school, but now it's caught up to her and she may not pass eighth grade and move onto high school with her friends. This is her last chance to bump her grades and earn extra credit. Extra credit comes in the form of competing on the school's Quiz Quest team. Marianne completely changes the team's dynamics and the team changes Marianne as well.
I went into this one a little skeptical - I read it for my Human Development and Motivation class, so I thought it was going to be one of those kid's novels that was actually written for adults, but most of it felt super authentic. I was really rooting for Marianne (and the Quiz Quest team!) and even got a little emotional at the end. If I was still working in an elementary school, I would definitely add this to my collection.

[Carlee Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It features Marianne, an eighth grader who is convinced she can’t learn and is dumb. She has found ways to play off her wrong answers in class by having a bubbly, school doesn’t matter to her persona. When she learns she is not going to pass the eighth grade and move onto high school, her only option is to join the Quiz Quest team to get extra credit from her math teacher. I loved how the book emphasizes the strengths beyond book smarts that Marianne has in coaching the team and being a good friend, and also the way her persistent efforts pay off in the end. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC and the opportunity to share my opinions on the book! I would recommend it to any middle grade reader.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute. I love how by the end of the book, Marianne decided that she was okay with the fact that she might have to do 8th grade again. I love that she brought Nina and Dan and Vi together and helped them work through their differences.

This book is a good example of how to set things right.

The only reason this isn't five stars is because of the Lillian-Harper situation and Skyla's 2 dads. It wasn't mentioned much, but it was still bothersome.

Great job with this one Brigit!

[Eileen Winfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marianne is struggling through 8th grade hiding in the dumb blonde persona she created to shield herself from the hurts of being made fun of for not knowing the answers in class. She underperforms so well she is suddenly in danger of not moving on to high school. For extra credit she joins the school trivia team and unlearns the story she’s been telling herself. Friendships blossom. A sweet story.

[Joy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle grade contemporary done so well! From the first page, Marianne felt very real. The dialogue and relationships were all so realistic, and I love the journey Marianne goes on to understanding herself. In some ways this reminded me a bit of Judy Blume, with the ease and natural feeling of the story and prose.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked seeing the development of Marianne and how she really starts believing in herself. I liked how she helped everyone else see their strengths too.
This is a great look at friendships. A good middle grade read.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

[Malika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very touching novel about confidence and friendship. It has fantastic, relatable characters that you’ll quickly fall in love with. I wish I read this book more slowly because now it’s over me I miss the characters! Another must-read by Brigit Young.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marianne, Vi, Dan, Nina, Lillian and Skylar. Quiz bowl, academic struggles, friendship. Really nice to have a book fighting against this idea that only certain types of intelligence are valued, especially in schools.

[Elena Rose (The Bookish Queen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about a young middle school girl struggling with school and self acceptance. I would definitely recommend this book to other young readers going through similar experiences.

[Taylor Galvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best part of this book was that the teacher wasn't the villain/bully. I see too much of that in middle grade lit!

[K.D. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read. This book was entertaining and smart.
Mrs. Young did a great job and I enjoyed it. The book is well-written and above all a fun read!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus or Netgalley

[Nat]

3.7

[Aaliyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a good story some scene’s that weren’t my favourite but overall a great story.

[PottWab Regional Library]

O

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[mackenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! Despite the fact I had to read this for school and write a weekly reflection on the chapters, this was good! It reminded me of reading a Judy Blume book as a pre teen!

[LinaCubic · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book so many times, and every time I love it! Marianne is so sweet, and lovable without being stupidly naive, or annoying. Brigit Young made her so human! She's an 8th grader who puts on a bubbly I don't care about school face, because she thinks she's stupid, and struggles with her feelings about her "perfect" older sister Lillian who she loves so much, and wishes she could be like 😭

I love how her character develops so much in this book, and that she grows as a learner and emotionally. The focus wasn't entirely on school either it was also about the social challenges of stepping out of the funny "dumb" girl personality, and her fights with her best friend who she felt like was pulling away. I would say this part of the book made it more relatable for me.

The writing was great, the plot was stunning and the charters were the best. I'll definitely be rereading again 💕