Brave Story by Miyuki Miyabe (Haikasoru)

Miyuki Miyabe is mostly known for her suspense and mystery novels. This is her first fantasy novel published in 2003 in Japanese. The English version was translated by Alexander O. Smith and published in 2007. It is a coming of age story set in the fantasy world of Vision.

The story starts off right after the beginning of the new school year. A rumor has spread about a house located near the Mihashi Shrine called the Daimatsu Building. This is how our hero, Wataru Mitani, heard about it. He was told by his friend, Katchan whose real name is Katsumi. They are both in the fifth grade and go to Joto Elementary School. However, no one knows how or who started the rumors. Wataru is not prone to believe in rumors and wants to get facts to satisfy his scientific and logical mind. He makes a promise with his friend Katchan to sneak out at night “to see if there really is a ghost.” “And if one shows up, I wanna see whose ghost it is.” 

At night, as Wataru was debating about going to the alleged haunted house or not and not wanting to break his promise with his friend when he hears a voice in his room. A young girl’s voice even though he is alone. He almost puts it out of his mind when she speaks to him again. He now believes he has to investigate. 

The two boys manage to go to the Daimatsu Building near midnight, only to be discovered by Mr. Daimatsu himself, along with his son Noriyuki and his daughter Kaori, who was sitting in a wheelchair. Wataru thought she was beautiful but appeared to be despondent. She didn’t smile, she didn’t show any reaction to what was happening around her. Wataru began to think that her condition might be related to this house which is said to be haunted in some way. Wataru also thought it was strange that the Mr. Daimatsu would be taking his daughter out for fresh air at this time of night. 

The strange happenings coincides with the admission of a new transfer student at Wataru’s school named Mitsuru Ashikawa. A boy whose popular with the girls, gets good grades, and his good at sports as well. More rumors were spread throughout the school saying that Mitsuru had taken a picture of the ghost at the Daimatsu building. Wataru was hoping to meet him at school to ask about it, but Mitsuru was assigned to another class. Mitsuru seems to be drawn to the Daimatsu Building and this time when he goes, he gets a glimpse of someone dressed as a wizard walking up the staircase. After he gets home, he finds that there seems to be trouble brewing between his mother and father.  He learns that his parents are getting a divorce and Wataru’s world is shattering around him. 

Wataru doesn’t know who he could talk to about what he saw but decides it would be best to tell his uncle who feels quite at ease with. Uncle Lou, as Wataru calls him, takes Wataru back to the Daimatsu Building and checks the stairs again. Although, he doesn’t see a wizard, he sees bright lights emanating from what looks like a gate. This is where the real adventure begins. 

Wataru finds himself in another world. A world called Vision. He is told that in this world, he can change his destiny. He is told that he must collect five gemstones before going to the Tower of Destiny and will earn a chance to talk to the Goddess of Vision who can grant him his one true wish. What will Wataru wish for. Will his family become as one again? What of the friends he has made in Vision? Brave Story has also won the Mildred L. Batchelder Award for the publisher in 2008. The Batchelder Award being an award given to publishers for children’s literature translated into the English language. ~Ernie Hoyt