Me and My Brian

Name: Me and My Brian
Brand: Harper UK
Availability: InStock
Author: Helen Rutter
ISBN: 9780008715687

Author: Helen Rutter

Narrator: Louis Hill

Unabridged: 1 hr 6 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

Published: 09/12/2024

Categories: Children's Fiction, Children's Social Themes, Children's Humor

Synopsis

With help from his grandma, Josh finds a way to quieten his overactive ‘Brian’ in this gently humorous and empathetic tale about family and mental health by bestseller Helen Rutter. Josh has always called his brain Brian, and Brian can sometimes be his best friend, helping Josh with tests and giving him brilliant moneymaking ideas. But he can also be Josh’s worst enemy, keeping him awake at night worrying, and telling him that his family’s problems are all Josh’s fault. When the arguments at home get really bad, Josh is sent to live with his grandma, who lives in a weird shack in the middle of nowhere. At first Brian’s voice gets louder and louder, and Josh feels out of control. But as he helps his grandma in the garden, growing their own food, and with all the jobs that need to be done around the shack, Josh starts to realise that she understands him and Brian better than anyone.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Rosh (Off GR duty for a fortnight!) on September 12, 2024

In a Nutshell: A middle-grade novel about a boy who struggles with his overactive “Brian”. This had great potential, and some of the content has great value, but somehow, the overall book didn’t come together well enough for my liking. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Plot Preview: Since childhood, thirte......more

Goodreads review by Reading_ on August 28, 2024

I never read a book so fast! I love the cover, the title and the realistic characters in it! Josh is struggling with his mind talking to him about fears and negative thoughts all the time. His bigger brother keeps fighting with his mom. His mom seems totally helpless and he can’t share what he’s goin......more

Goodreads review by Lolita on November 17, 2024

'Josh has always called his brain Brian, and Brian can sometimes be his best friend[...]' Josh is thirteen, has an older brother, and divorced parents. He lives with his mum, and struggles with things at home and at school. When he gets sent to his grandma's house for a couple of weeks, Josh doesn't......more

Goodreads review by Theediscerning on August 31, 2024

A very interesting little tale, that introduces young readers to a strange-seeming mindset, and while the text of it doesn't define it, seems to successfully show it as an earnest and important issue for the main character, Josh. Brian is the lead's mis-spelled Brain, and it's reacting to – and maki......more

Goodreads review by Joey on August 30, 2024

Thank you so much to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review. Josh is struggling with his Brian aka his brain, it talks too loudly and too often telling him everything is his fault, that everything is getting worse. He doesn’t know how to quieten him, then his mum sends him t......more

Quotes

"It’s such a clever, funny and moving story. What a wonderful way to remind us how to keep our chattering brains (or Brian’s) in-check now and then. The power of a brilliant storyteller!" – Lisa Thompson "This is a beautiful story about the similarities between people from different generations and the ability to be mutually helpful to each other … It will be both affirming and challenging to anyone struggling or who has struggled with their mental health." – "This story gets to the heart of children’s worries … It offers hope and suggestions about ways that readers can empower themselves to control their emotions, all in an engaging and funny story … . A beautiful, empathic story emphasising the support and strength of intergenerational relationships." — "A touching intergenerational story about learning to share your worries and managing your brain." – Children's Books Ireland "Reassuring, authentic normalising of the complicatedness of family & our own busy brains. The beauty of holding space for each other of quietening unhelpful thoughts." – Teacher "This would make a fantastic book for discussing mental health, additionally normalising discussion around mental health, particularly in boys." – Mini Midnight Reads, blog "Heartwarming, witty and packed full of hope … A charming, relatable novella showing support for intergenerational friendships and giving strategies to combat anxious brains, is a powerful story with some gorgeous illustrations that you’ll love!" – Check 'Em Out Books, blog "So poignant and heartwarming, this fabulous story talks about children’s mental health in such a clever way for readers to understand. Many readers will identify with Josh … hopeful, powerful and clever" – Little Posts of Library Treasures, blog