"ONLY THE BRAVE is the perfect summer read: a complicated sibling relationship, a beautiful setting on Lake Superior, and lots of ice cream. Victoria’s voice is outstandingly clear and teen readers will empathize with her journey to discover the meaning of courage. A must-read!"

-Claire Swinarski, author of The Kate In Between and What Happens Next

“Summer is just beginning in the town of Amberly, Minnesota, placed along the shoreline of Lake Superior. Bashful 12 1/2-year-old Victoria finds the summer months to be a roller coaster, with highs and lows and twists and turns. With the unexpected visit from her older brother, and a surprising friendship with Marcus, the new kid in town, Victoria uncovers some surprises about herself and about others.

First-time novelist, Katie Roiger, will have the corners of your mouth smiling with laughter, and your eyes blinking to hold back a tear.”

Priscilla C.
Underwood, IA

"Though I am an adult, reading this book was very refreshing. Katie wrote the book in such a way that it was very realistic. Tori had the temperament of a typical tween: easy to react and silly, anxious and learning to be brave. In addition, I noticed that there were many different challenges within the story: being a part of a military family, making friends, and overriding expectations. Many stories have one big challenge or plot point, but that’s not how life is. Tori had many different encounters in the book and though the climaxes of each seemed to happen at the same time, they didn’t really interconnect, and there were mini bumps along the way. I felt like I was Tori’s age again reading this and could connect to her hyperbole, anxiety, and courage."

Emma E.
Albert Lea, MN