Becoming Esther-Brave (Even When Life Gets Super Scary): Abby, Tried and True

The drawn cover of Abby Tried and True has soft tropical colors, golden yellow sky at sunset, magenta houses and palm trees in the background. In the foreground is a purple-grey-blue roof, and on it is a 7th grade girl in a pink shirt with a blue short sleeved button up over it and blue shorts. One of her pink sneakers is untied. Her long dark hair spills out behind her and her light skinned face, like her knees, seem to be looking up at the sky. She has a notebook at her right hand and she’s wearing a star of david necklace.

Abby, Tried and True by Donna Gephart is a heartfelt and grippingly honest middle-grade novel about friendship, family, fear, and finding courage in everyday life. At its center is Abby Braverman, a seventh grader who prefers poetry and quiet observation to what is commonly the chaos of middle school. When her best friend moves away and her older brother Paul is diagnosed with testicular cancer, Abby’s carefully ordered world is shaken. From that foundation, we get a story about learning what bravery really looks like - small, steady acts of love and truth-telling.

This book isn’t about Purim, but our middle-grade book club - Be JEWcy - is reading and discussing it during Purim season . . . on purpose. Thinking about Abby’s journey in this season takes on additional meaning: she is Esther-brave. Like Queen Esther, Abby experiences fear and uncertainty and chooses to act informed and not controlled by it. Esther’s courage is grounded in the strength to show up when it matters most. Abby’s bravery is not about dramatic heroics; it’s about showing up for her brother during his treatment, naming what is true for her, and facing awkward or uncomfortable social situations at school. Courage can be subtle, internal, deeply connected to personal identity, and chosen.

Abby’s love of poetry is a central thread throughout the book. One poem, titled “Being Brave” on page 206 expresses her internal struggle and growth.

Being brave / Is mixed with being scared. / You can't have one / Without the other. / Being scared / Isn't a choice. / But being brave / Is a choice. / Today I was scared. / And I'm so glad… / I was also brave. / I'm Abby 2.0 and / Plain Abby, too - brave / When I need to be. / And scared sometimes, too. / All parts of me.

Abby’s poetic interludes break the narrative rhythm and slow the pace. They give air to Abby’s internal processing and draw the reader into the layers of her emotional landscape. I hope they also encourage the readers to become writers. Writing a whole novel can be a daunting dream, but a poem . . . just one poem . . . might feel more accessible. 

For Jewish middle-grade readers, this book offers recognition and affirmation. Abby is unapologetically Jewish: her family traditions, humor, and cultural references are woven naturally into the story. By framing Abby’s bravery as Esther-brave, readers can also connect her actions to a broader tradition of courage within Jewish history and stories.

The novel is also powerful because it addresses testicular cancer directly and honestly. Paul’s diagnosis is clearly named, which removes the fear of the unknown and helps readers understand the real stakes. Middle-grade readers are old enough to sense when adults are hiding things, and author Donna Gephart clearly respects that awareness. It portrays how illness affects the entire family, showing Abby’s feelings of being overlooked while navigating her own anxieties. This realistic depiction gently invites kids this age to explore heavy topics like illness, fear, and resilience.

For non-Jewish readers, Abby Tried and True offers a window into contemporary Jewish life that is authentic and accessible. Jewish traditions and cultural touchstones shape Abby’s experience without the narrative becoming a lesson. Her worries about fitting in, losing a friend, or speaking up in class are universal, while her Jewishness enriches the story.

Ultimately, what makes Abby, Tried and True such a solidly good book - Jewish or otherwise - is its emotional honesty. Abby is a fully realized awkward, thoughtful, sometimes self-absorbed, and deeply loving character. The writing balances humor and gravity, allowing readers to breathe even in heavy moments. The themes of courage, loyalty, and growth resonate across contexts and they are delivered with warmth, humor, and authenticity.