Real Heroes Don't Wear Capes

September 1, 2007
Gr 1-3-Ethan loves trivia and pogo sticks. When he reads about a pogo-stick champion from his hometown, he is so impressed by Boyd "Boing" Bower's exploits that he wants to find a way to recognize his achievements. He begins a petition to create a town holiday, tries to raise money for a statue, and distributes Boing! buttons. While trying to drum up interest in his hero, he learns about a teacher who stays after school to help struggling students and a man who mows his neighbor's lawn and cleans her gutters. Ethan's swim instructor tells him about her cousin, who helped her overcome her fear of deep water. Soon the boy realizes that anyone can be a hero and he decides to create a museum to honor all of the everyday folks who are heroes to someone in their lives. Ethan's brother surprises him by creating a museum display honoring him. This easy-to-read story demonstrates how a young boy can change and improve his community by getting involved. The lessons in the narrative are supplemented by small text boxes containing interesting bits of trivia about both anonymous and well-known American heroes. The cartoonlike illustrations portray multicultural kids in familiar situations. A "Making Connections" page urges youngsters to embark on a heroic mission of their own."Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.