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Summary
Summary
From the author of A Dog Called Homeless, winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, comes an action-filled adventure about friendship, imagination, and what it means to be a hero, perfect for fans of classic dog and friendship stories like Because of Winn-Dixie and Shiloh.
The short length makes Hero a great pick for reluctant readers and readers who have just graduated from chapter books, but its themes of bullying and finding courage to stand up for what's right mean the story is meaty enough for more advanced readers, too.
Leo is invincible when he's pretending to be a gladiator in his imagination, but in real life, he struggles to make friends--unless you count his neighbor's little dog, Jack Pepper. So Leo is thrilled when the cool kids invite him to hang out, even though they sometimes pressure him to do mean things.
When Leo accidentally does something that makes the whole town think he's a hero, he rolls with it--it feels nice to be celebrated, even if it's a lie. But when Jack Pepper needs Leo's help, can Leo find it in himself to be a genuine hero?
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Leo Biggs longs to be noticed. At home he feels overshadowed by his two sisters, at school by his clever friend George. So he retreats into his imagination, where crowds cheer his victories as a gladiator. Then Leo meets Jack Pepper, an adorable dog who brings joy to everyone he meets. When Leo gets out of an unsavory situation by claiming he was rescuing Jack Pepper, he suddenly finds himself the center of attention, the hero of his imagination made real. But Leo discovers being a made-up hero is hard on the conscience. Can Jack Pepper help Leo one more time? Does Leo have what it takes to be a genuine hero? Leo and Jack Pepper are likable characters in this gentle story. Leo's increasing anguish at living with his lies is well portrayed, but the ending somewhat undermines this lesson. The leisurely pace and heavy use of symbolism may challenge younger readers.-Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor School District, Lancaster, PA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Eleven-year-old Leo Biggs is an inveterate daydreamer, forever imagining himself in fierce battles with Roman gladiators, presided over by the god Jupiter ("like a tower block in a toga, he loomed in the sky at the end of Clarendon Road"). One day, while Leo is trying to ingratiate himself with a group of popular classmates, a dog belonging to Leo's neighbor's daughter gets injured. Leo decides to cover up what happened, claiming that he rescued the dog, Jack Pepper, from drowning in a pond. Leo initially enjoys the attention that this invented good deed brings him, but the guilt of feeling like a "fake hero" and a disastrous incident involving a meteor help him step up to the plate and save Jack Pepper for real. While the meteor strike and what it reveals are an unlikely vehicle for Leo's growth, Lean (A Dog Called Homeless) has crafted a touching portrait of a good-hearted, loyal, and boundlessly imaginative boy who makes some realistic missteps in his efforts to succeed in the "real world." Ages 8-12. Agent: Julia Churchill, A.M. Heath. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
English boy Leo is fascinated with gladiators and yearns to be a real hero himself. So when he gets into trouble, Leo compounds his guilt by letting people believe he was actually saving a little dog named Jack Pepper. Realistic details, a cute pup, and a strong theme of what it means to be a hero will attract middle graders. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Young Leo learns that being a hero isn't about the accolades.Leo's English town is built on Roman ruins, and Roman history influences his imagination. Where in real life Leo feels insignificant, in his dreams he's a heroic gladiator winning the approval of Jupiter. So when Warren, a schoolyard god of sorts, invites Leo to join him and his friends, Leo jumps at the chance. First he must prove his bravery and loyalty. The trials end badly, shaming Leo, especially when stalwart pup Jack Pepper gets hurt in the process. Leo's guilt is compounded after he spins events so it sounds as though he rescued Jacka story almost everyone in town believes. Tightly structured and plotted, the novel's every element and development move the story forward. Leo narrates, allowing readers to fully experience his growing unease with his deception and alienation from family and friends. Leo seems to be digging himself into a hole when a meteor hits, opening a huge sinkhole in the middle of town that swallows Jack Pepper. In the process of recovering and restoring Jack to his neighbor and role model, Grizzly Allen, Leo learns heaps about honesty, friendship, dreams and real greatness. A compelling, thought-provoking story about the fights and brave actsbig and small, acclaimed and unattributedthat define us. (Fiction. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Leo is a daydreamer, which is the only thing he thinks he is good at. In his imagination, he is a gladiator, the kind of hero he longs to be but isn't. And so, when an opportunity for heroics involving a bully and a little white dog named Jack Pepper presents itself, Leo lies about what has happened, and soon everyone in his small town thinks he is a hero. Everyone but Leo himself, who knows the awful truth. But when a meteor then streaks across the sky, things get complicated, and suddenly the dog is in real danger, and Leo has a chance to be a true hero. But can he rise to the occasion? Award-winning British author Lean has written a charming, affecting story of a boy whose love for a dog challenges him to find the best in himself. Ingeniously plotted and populated with appealing characters including, of course, a lovable canine this is a treat for dog-lovers and would-be heroes alike.--Cart, Michael Copyright 2015 Booklist
