Yen Press has announced the December publication of Brave!, a new graphic novel by Svetlana Chmakova that returns to the charming world of Berrybrook Middle School, the setting of Chmakova’s Eisner-Award nominated graphic novel Awkward (see a review of Awkward by Nick Smith here).  Awkward also made the recently announced shortlist for the Second Annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids’ Comics (see “Shortlist for McDuffie Kids’ Comics Awards”).

Targeted at kids grade 5 and up, Brave! features realistically rendered, decent, but flawed tween characters and examines some of the same issues explored in Awkward, the rivalries between various school groups and the ways to deal with the inevitable school bullies.  Brave! is slated for a simultaneous December release for both the hardcover with a cover price of $24.00 ($31.50 Can), and the paperback edition, which will have a cover price of $11.00 ($14.50 Can).