Hero - by Sarah Lean (Hardcover)

About the Book

An accident at school brings quiet, imaginative Leo to the attention of the popular crowd, but their expectations have him misbehaving and cause him to lose his best friend George, so when a neighbor's dog is trapped by a meteor strike Leo becomes a real hero in hopes of setting things right.

Book Synopsis

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?

From the Back Cover

Leo is a dreamer.

It's easy to feel brave when he's pretending to be a gladiator, battling ferocious beasts. But in real life, Leo feels like he never accomplishes anything--he can't even seem to make more than two friends, and one of those is his neighbor's little white dog, Jack Pepper.

Then, one day at school, Leo's imagination gets him in trouble, and suddenly some new friends are asking him to join them. Leo goes along, even though it means telling lies and making mischief. When things get out of hand and Jack Pepper saves Leo from his own misadventures, Leo's family and neighbors think Leo saved the dog. Leo revels in being the hero--it feels so good, even if it's a lie. But when Jack Pepper is really in danger, can Leo find the strength in himself to be the hero everyone already thinks he is?

From award-winning author Sarah Lean comes a heartwarming tale about a friendship between a boy and a dog, the power of telling the truth, and the extraordinary capacity of imagination to help you be yourself.

Review Quotes

"Lean 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.'" -- Publishers Weekly

"Tightly structured and plotted, the novel's every element and development move the story forward. A compelling, thought-provoking story about the fights and brave acts-big and small, acclaimed and unattributed-that define us." -- Kirkus Reviews

"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." -- ALA Booklist

Praise for Sarah Lean's A Hundred Horses: "Friendship, self-discovery, a dreamlike middle-of-the-night horseback ride, and a satisfying ending make for certain reader appeal." -- Booklist (starred review)

Praise for Sarah Lean's A Hundred Horses: "Lean's imagination runs wild, but her descriptions of a girl who rediscovers hope and wholeness remain firmly rooted in truth." -- New York Times Book Review

Praise for Schneider Family Book Award-winning A Dog Called Homeless: "Ever so gently, this fine debut effort explores the power of human kindness as Cally and her father find effective ways to cope with their loss." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Praise for Sarah Lean's A Dog Called Homeless: "Truly a lesson in the power of love and loss, this story shows that learning how to listen is more important than what's being said. This is a thought-provoking story that will speak to readers of all ages." -- School Library Journal

Praise for Sarah Lean's A Dog Called Homeless: "Lean's first novel stands out for its clean and evocative prose. [...] Readers drawn to stories of adversity will find this one rewarding, and all readers should look forward to Lean's next novel." -- The Horn Book