The Unlikely Heroes Club - by Kate Foster (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Eleven-year-old Oli is spending his spring break at Heroes Club, where autistic kids like him can build friendships and learn about their emotions. Sounds fun, right? No. Nothing like a week of forced socialization and emotional learning to ruin summer break. Oli just wants to be home, where it's familiar, not so boring, and he can play games on his phone. But when Oli and the other kids at the club see a stray dog who keeps disappearing into a soon-to-be-demolished building across the street, they hatch a daring rescue plan to save the dog before it's too late. It's going to take bravery, some seriously smart teamwork, and a few broken rules to make it happen. For Oli and his new friends in the Heroes Club, making use of their unique talents and perspectives-together-will be a challenge. But doing the right thing is entirely worth it. The Unlikely Heroes Club is a celebration of friendship and community that is sure to make your heart sing."-- Back cover.

Book Synopsis

Five dog-loving autistic kids have a mission to accomplish--and a mystery to solve--in a delightful ode to idiosyncrasies from the author of All the Small Wonderful Things.

Eleven-year-old Oli is spending his spring break at Heroes Club, where autistic kids like him can build friendships and learn about their emotions. Sounds fun, right? No. Nothing like a week of forced socialization and emotional learning to ruin summer break. Oli just wants to be home, where it's familiar, not so boring, and he can play games on his phone. But when Oli and the other kids at the club see a stray dog who keeps disappearing into a soon-to-be-demolished building across the street, they hatch a daring rescue plan to save the dog before it's too late. It's going to take bravery, some seriously smart teamwork, and a few broken rules to make a difference. For Oli and his new friends in the Heroes Club, making use of their unique talents and perspectives--together--will be a challenge. But doing the right thing is entirely worth it. The Unlikely Heroes Club is a celebration of friendship and community that is sure to make your heart sing.

Review Quotes

This well-designed, empowering tale invites middle grade readers into the perspective of one autistic youth and will appeal to individuals, classrooms, and book clubs alike.
--School Library Journal (starred review)

Many neurodivergent readers will find elements of this tale familiar . . . An immensely satisfying hero's journey.
--Kirkus Reviews

Foster creates a first-person point of view that effectively lets readers observe the world the way a young autistic boy might.. . .Like lots of boy-and dog stories, this one may move readers to tears, not because it ends like Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows but because Oli is such a well-drawn, likable character whom readers will come to care about and cheer on.
--The Horn Book

About the Author

Kate Foster is a children's author who writes about friends, family, and dogs. She is passionate about encouraging and teaching a wider understanding of autism and mental illness via positive approach and representation. She is the author of All the Small Wonderful Things and Harriet Hound. Originally from a small town in the southeast of England, Kate Foster now lives on the stunning Gold Coast in Australia with her family and rescue dogs.