Building Bridges by Andrea Davis Pinkney

     In Andrea Davis Pinkney's "Building Bridges", we follow the protagonist of our story. A 17 year old girl named Bebe, living with her feisty grandmother in Brooklyn, who has a dream of becoming an engineer but can't convince her grandmother to let her. Throughout the story Bebe shows the reader the importance of courage when aiming for success.

     Bebe shows courage and perseverance when she tells Mama Lil that she doesn't want to work at the hair salon. Mama Lil brought back a summer application from Rimely's Beauty Parlor. But Bebe turns it down even when she could make money and get a long term job. She does it because she knows she won't be happy and she isn't afraid or scared to tell Mama Lil.

     When Bebe threatens to sign the consent form she shows a lot of courage. Bebe isn't threatened by Mama Lil and knows that if she doesn't sign it she won't be able to succeed in becoming an engineer. She stands up for what she wants and wont let obstacles get in her way no matter how difficult. Mama Lil is impossible to communicate with and always comes up with an excuse. But Bebe isn't fearful and never becomes discouraged.

     Even after the multiple put downs Bebe would never let it bother her. She was told it was a job only white man could do and to give up. So instead of blowing up she walks to the Brooklyn Bridge. She calmed down by drawing and remembering what motivates her everyday to succeed. No matter how many times she was shoved aside and laughed at she would always remember how much she wanted to become an engineer. She was determined to get what she wanted.

     Bebe always stayed focused and didn't steer far from her goal. The reader is shown that it's important to have courage when your trying to succeed. We all know what it feels like to want something so bad that you push past people's opinions and just do what you want. But Bebe did it without even questioning herself and her thoughts.