Hero by Mike Lupica - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

Mar 01, 2013 Maddie D rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

6TH RESPONSE:

I am currently reading Hero by: Mike Lupica. So far this book is about a young 14 year old named Zach. His father dies in an airplane crash delivering the “Rat,” (a bad guy,) to someone who’s been looking for him for a long time. Zach comes home one day and his entire family that lives in his location, is at his house with sad and serious faces. Right then Zack knows he will never be seeing his father again. His school friend, Kate, father has already died also. She knows how to han...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Clare Cannon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: 8-10 years (boys)

Shelves: 08-12yrs

Hero is like an extremely mild version of Alex Rider: the young protagonist is 14-year-old Zach who spends more time finding out what he can and ought to do than actually doing anything. There is much less violence: a plotted plane crash resulting in the death of its occupants, one assassination attempt, and a couple of gang-ups/beat-ups which leave Zach hurt but not too badly, and which were only part of his training anyway.

Most of the story is built on trying to figure out who he can trust. Bo...more

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Dec 14, 2012 Catherine C rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So far I really like the book Hero by Mike Lupica because it does not start our boring like most books. It starts out suspenseful. It is about a man named Tom Harriman who works for the president of the United States. He is on a mission to get a bad guy. on the way back his plane crashes. Now his son Zach wants to find out how his plane crashes. I think that this is a good book for people who like suspense and fantasy. I think Lupica did a good job describing Zach's feelings because I can feel w...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Burt Gesner rated it 4 of 5 stars

For my second Goodreads book I picked an action packed thriller; Hero by Mike Lupica. The book tells the story of thirteen-year old Zach Harriman discovering things he never knew about himself after his Dad's mysterious death.

Zach, just a kid who thought he knew everything about his father in just a short time finds out that there is another world in which he would soon enter. Zach's father was thought to be an advisor to the President, but he really was a Hero secretly protecting his country....more

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Jan 29, 2013 Ryan Sohn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Jan 18, 2013 KayLee J. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I recently finished Hero by Mike Lupcia. It starts off with Zach a typical boy with a not so typical dad. But after his dad dies in a plane crash, his life changes forever. Past the first few chapters in the book my head was already spinning. With plenty different events and characters coming in questions began to form. My first one was: which characters are going to really tie in the story? And what happens that changes him in the next couple chapters? When going out to the crash sight Zach get...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Bradley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is a great read written by Mike Lupica. The setting is set in NYC and it is about a boy named Zach. Zach's father works for the government, the president actually, and he goes on a lot of "business trips". His father was almost never at home. Then, on one of his dad's mysterious "business trips", Zach's father dies in a tragic plane accident. But Zach knows this is no accident, his father was an amazing pilot, he would have used his parachute if it were an accident. Zach knows someone...more

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Nov 30, 2012 Lisa G rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, kid-s-books, ya-fiction

My 8 yo daughter absolutely loved this book so I bought it so my husband and I could read it. Imagine my surprise when my husband corrected our pronunciation of the author’s last name (he was familiar with him from ESPN, go figure). My family is superhero crazy– both my girls devour the Avengers, X-men, Spiderman, etc. (the kid friendly versions). And I’ll have to say that Super Hero Squad is one funny cartoon.

Anyway, this book is about a 14 yo that ends up with super powers when his father dies...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a whole new ballgame, sports fans! Mike Lupica wrote a book that IS NOT about sports! In Hero, fourteen-year-old Zach thinks his father is a superhero. He works for the government, gets calls from the President of the United States, and flies all over the world on secret missions. When his father is killed in a plane crash, Zach's vision of his dad begins to change. Strange things begin happening. Zach seems to develop super speed, people he doesn't even know try to hurt him, and a stran...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Lori Holbein-Gutierrez rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: teenage-boy, survival, teenage-girl, death

14 year old, Zach Harriman has just received the worst news any kid could get… his dad was killed in an airplane crash. Knowing his father’s dangerous line of work, Zach is determined it was no accident. He sets out with his best friend, Kate, to find out how it happened. Along the way, Zach finds out more information about his dad and himself. Apparently, Zach and his dad are not like everyone else. They have special powers and Zach plans to put them to use in order to find out who killed his f...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Nick rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, superhero-fiction

Zach is the son of a rich man who is apparently a diplomat by day and a superhero by night, acting as a troubleshooter for the President of the U.S. in both capacities. Zach doesn't know about the superhero part, but suddenly the father dies, and mysterious figures show up, trying to guide Zach in unspecified directions. A mysterious old man shows up, apparently trying to test Zach's own abilities and resolve, as Zach finds out that he, too, may not be entirely normal. Also, something about the...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Barb Middleton rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Zach Harriman’s father is a government agent working for the U.S. President and has special powers.

Superpowers.

When he unexpectedly dies in a plane crash everyone says it’s an accident but Zach believes it was murder. As he tries to figure out what happened to his father, he develops his own superpowers of x-ray vision, super speed, sixth sense, and flying. What 14 year old wouldn’t love that? Mr. Herbert mysteriously appears and mentors him regarding his superpowers. Zach has to learn fast beca...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Franco rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There were elements that I did not like about the book and elements I found interesting. First off, the two elements that I did not like in the book were the tons of sports references and lack of character introduction. I am not much of a sports fan to fully understand the references that were made in the book. e.g. David Wright on the Mets team. I do not know who they are but I do find out that Mets is a baseball team. Another example is the basketball team , Knicks. David Lee was said to be on...more

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Nov 30, 2011 Elaine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee; our YA2. Zach Harriman is a wealthy, but fairly ordinary 14-year-old living in a swank, Manhattan high rise apartment with his mother and several staff. Zach's father has just died when the small plane he was piloting crashed near Long Island. Zach's father had traveled extensively for his job as "special assistant to the President," and now his death prompts Zach to find out more about his dad's life and work. Zach is especially suspicious about the cause of...more A Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee; our YA2. Zach Harriman is a wealthy, but fairly ordinary 14-year-old living in a swank, Manhattan high rise apartment with his mother and several staff. Zach's father has just died when the small plane he was piloting crashed near Long Island. Zach's father had traveled extensively for his job as "special assistant to the President," and now his death prompts Zach to find out more about his dad's life and work. Zach is especially suspicious about the cause of the plane crash. Zach eventually learns that he has special powers, and that his father did, too. At the end, Zach is just beginning his journey as a new "hero," and the ending begs for a sequel. The plot is not action-driven, but rather focuses on Zach's struggle to unravel the puzzle of his dad's life and death and also focuses on Zach's psychological journey from normal kid to superhero. The story moved a bit slow for my taste, with a lot of description of Zach's internal struggles. The book is 289 pages long, and Zach doesn't actually begin his 'journey' in any active way until he visits the site of the plane crash on page 110. So, that's 110 pages of teenage angst! In the later pages of the book, Zach demonstrates only infrequent, subtle hints of his superpowers, with only ONE amazing superhero act (saving someone's life) at the very end of the book. There are references after page 140 or so to "the bads," who are evidently supposed to be the 'bad guys' in the book, but the reader never gets to meet any of them (except one who USED to be bad, but who is now trying to atone for his sins). So, I was really disappointed that I never got to see just what kind of evil Zach is going to be fighting. There is a pretty cool surprise discovery for Zach at the end (which I won't spoil here!) that I thought was pretty cool. Overall, the book is somewhat subtle and slow-moving. I wouldn't recommend it to a reluctant reader. Some readers might be expecting a Percy Jackson-type action novel, but they would be disappointed in the lack of action. (However, readers who already like Lupica's books will like this one, too.)(less)

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Oct 04, 2011 Andrew Galanek rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief is about a boy named Percy and he is a regular 15 year old teenage kid who is moving from city to city with his mother. When they think they find the right place to stay Percy and his step father get into a fight about Percy’s mother and how he isn’t treating her right. Then Percy goes into a Greek museum and finds out that he can read Greek writing. Then he finds out that he is the son of the Greek god Posiden. When his teacher tells him to go to camp Half...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, mystery-thriller, scifi-fantasy-paranormal, youth, middle-grades, young-adult

I picked this book up somewhat half-heartedly sincemy son needed to write a book report about it and I thought I should have a basic idea of what the book was about. But instead of skimming, I found myself totally drawn in and read the entire book, word-for-word, in a day. Lupica has found a great character in Zach Harriman. Zach is the only son of a famous family. His father is a special advisor to the president. His mother is the daughter of another famous political family. The story starts wi...more

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May 05, 2011 Mikey T rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Yep, son. We have met the enemy. And he is us.
Zach Harrimen is trying to sort out his life after the death of his father. Slowly, and with the help of the mysterious Mr. Herbert, Zach begins to realize that he has super powers. With the death of his father still looming on his mind, Zach is determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
I really enjoyed this novel. I found myself feeling like I was reading a book version of a superhero origin comic book. My only beef is that i...more

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Apr 28, 2011 Paytonminogue rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

HERO ISBN: 978-0-399-25283-9
Mike Lupica publishing year: 2010
Page amount: 289
Genre: Fiction, young adult, fantasy
Printing company: Philomel Books

Have you ever thought of being a superhero or what you could do if you were one? Well Zach Harriman doesn’t have to worry about thinking that. Zach is fourteen years old when he finds out that he has superhuman powers that his dad also had. Zach’s father worked for the president but some people know as “the bads” killed him in a plane crash. Zach ne...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Pamela rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-middle-sch, c-fantasy, a-fic, c-action-adventure

The first chapter is told in first person by Tom Harriman, a secret agent with secret powers and a sixth sense on a secret mission to capture a bad guy known as the Rat. He easily defeats four guards and their backups. Then bullets pass right through him (or he's able to dodge around them) as he lugs his unconscious prisoner to the get-away plane. As he's flying away, he sees someone with white hair on the runway who was supposed to be on the other side of the world. This unexpected encounter ki...more

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Feb 17, 2011 Zach A. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hero
They Killed His Father, and Now They’re Coming For Him.
What if I told you that you could become the world’s greatest superhero, but your father would have to die? Zach Harriman a 13-year-old New Yorker is faced with this terrible predicament, when his father, Tom Harriman dies. Zach soon starts to notice that he has unexplainable powers that can only be described as super powers. A family friend tells Zach that his dad was a superhero and that when he died, Zach became a superhero. At firs...more Hero
They Killed His Father, and Now They’re Coming For Him.
What if I told you that you could become the world’s greatest superhero, but your father would have to die? Zach Harriman a 13-year-old New Yorker is faced with this terrible predicament, when his father, Tom Harriman dies. Zach soon starts to notice that he has unexplainable powers that can only be described as super powers. A family friend tells Zach that his dad was a superhero and that when he died, Zach became a superhero. At first Zach cares nothing for his powers. He simply wants his father back. Soon though, he starts to discover that to protect himself and those he loves from ‘The Bads’, he needs to learn how to use his powers without hesitation. When he learns of an attempt on the president’s life that only a superhero can prevent, will Zach be willing to turn against someone close to him for the good of the country? In doing so will he become a hero or a villain? Finally, will he solve the mystery of his father’s death? Read the adventure novel Hero by Mike Lupica to find out. The theme of this book is be true to yourself even when others doubt you, shown in the way Zach relentlessly pursues the truth of his father’s death, his loyalty to Mr. Herbert, and the way he fearlessly fights evil forces plotting to kill the president.
To begin with, the theme is first demonstrated by the way Zach continues to pursue the facts concerning his father’s death. His best friend and family tell him that his father’s death was simply an accidental plane crash. But Zach has a feeling that his father, the strongest and best man he knew, would’ve found some way to stop the plane from crashing. Zach showed his determination to find out the truth of his father’s death when he said, “It’s not like I’m fixed on it. Or it’s something I really want to do. It’s something I feel like I have to do.’ Zach said. ‘Why? Why do you need to go see the place where your father died? It’s just an empty field now, it’s not really even considered a crash site anymore.’ Said his mother with a tone of finality. ‘ Mom I can’t explain it that well, I just have a feeling that something more than just a plane crash happened that night. Dad would have been able to right the plane. I just want to go out there to where he died just to look around. Mom, I need to do this” (96). Despite Zach’s pleading with his mother, she dismisses his requests. Still, Zach searches for clues, and one day he sneaks out to the field on Long Island where his father’s plane went down. There, he finds out that his father was actually a superhero that protected our country from forces of evil too great for our military to fight. When young Zach learns this, he is convinced that someone killed his father. After all, a superhero would’ve jumped out the plane and flown away right? These findings invigorate Zach’s search for the truth even more. Eventually he does learn that his father was murdered. Had Zach listened to his mother and not done what he knew was best for himself, he would not have discovered the truth about how his father really died. Also he wouldn’t have found his superpowers.
Secondly, the theme is demonstrated by the way Zach continues to help Mr. Herbert fight ‘the Bads’, despite being warned not to by his Uncle John and his mother. Mr. Herbert is a mysterious, elderly gentleman who was the first person to tell Zach that his father was a superhero and that Zach is now one too. Zach helps Mr. Herbert in fighting off ‘the Bads’ when they attack. In return, Mr. Herbert, who also has powers, helps to sharpen Zach’s abilities. However, Zach’s Uncle John, the only who Tom Harriman confided in about his superpowers, tells Zach that Mr. Herbert is actually a very evil man who is manipulating Zach to fight the forces of good, and not evil. Uncle John is insistent, saying, “Who is he? I mean, really?’” Uncle John leaned forward said, ‘Someone to be feared […] He’s not your friend and he wasn’t your dad’s friend either. Believe me when I tell you he is nobody’s friend. He says a lot of things, and acts as if he knows more than he does and that’s just a way of getting close to you, now that he knows you have powers” (178). Despite John’s effort to paint Mr. Herbert in a negative way, Zach continues to believe that Mr. Herbert is a good person, and that Zach should follow his instincts and help him.
Finally, the theme is demonstrated by the way Zach fearlessly fights ‘the Bads’. He has discovered that they are trying to assassinate the next president of the United States. Zach tries to confide in his uncle John as well as Mr. Herbert. Both men reject Zach’s theory. This quote shows his Uncle John’s reaction when Zach informs him of the plot to kill the next president and what he plans to do about it. “Zachary, you aren’t ready to fight the Bads, and even if you were, they aren’t going to assassinate Kerrigan” (242). Zach, however, knows that Uncle John is indeed wrong in his beliefs, and continues to plan how he will save this man’s life. It turns out that Senator Kerrigan was in fact about to be assassinated when Zach took down the gunman that was aiming for him. If Zach hadn’t done what he knew he needed to do and listened to Uncle John, Senator Kerrigan would have been shot and killed.
In conclusion, the theme of Hero is trust yourself even when others doubt you. I can connect to this theme because a lot of times I am told by teachers, friends, or coaches what to do, however, many times they are wrong, and only I really know what is best for me. For example, when I was younger, my baseball coach tried to change my batting stance because he didn’t like it, however, I knew my stance was very good and his idea just felt wrong to me, so I kept my stance, and I hit extremely well with what I knew was best for me. I loved this book and would give it four out of five stars.
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Feb 13, 2011 Karen Ball rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

8th grader Zach Harriman is the only son of Tom Harriman, famous "troubleshooting diplomat" who works for the president of the United States. After a successful European mission, Tom's plane mysteriously crashes at the tip of Long Island, and Zach begins to realize that his father never told him anything important about his work... or his life, and how he became who he was. Zach begins to develop powers after meeting with an old man who knows far too many personal details about him and his fathe...more

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Feb 01, 2011 Jacque M rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: None

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 29, 2010 Karissa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I got an advanced reading copy of this book through Librarything's Early Reviewer program. It sounded pretty neat, a boy finds out he's a super hero and saves the world. I love super hero books and was excited to read it. The reality wasn't as awesome. This book is part sports commentary and part politics; there is very little wonder and awe in the story.

Billy's dad is some sort of top secret agent for the government and is killed in the line of duty. Billy believes that his dad's death wasn't a...more I got an advanced reading copy of this book through Librarything's Early Reviewer program. It sounded pretty neat, a boy finds out he's a super hero and saves the world. I love super hero books and was excited to read it. The reality wasn't as awesome. This book is part sports commentary and part politics; there is very little wonder and awe in the story.

Billy's dad is some sort of top secret agent for the government and is killed in the line of duty. Billy believes that his dad's death wasn't an accident (as stated) and is determined to prove this. During his investigation Billy finds himself developing super powers. He realizes that his dad was part of a world that has remained a secret to him. With his dad gone it may be up to Billy to save the world.

I am trying to think if there is anything I liked about his book. I guess it has super heroes in it; even if they were lame. Also it was a pretty short book and was over quickly.

As for what I didn't like...well let's start with the basics and work from there. The dialogue was stilted and fake sounding, not to mention it was written using the vocabulary of a young child. I understand it was a children's book; but it is pretty dumbed down even for that. The plot was transparent and painfully simple. The book wasn't engaging and the characters were paper thin and cliched.

There are a ton of sports references throughout this book, lots of name throwing. It confused me at first until I found out Lupica used to be a sports commentator and that his previous novels were about sports. I personally don't really follow many sports and found the constant references irritating. Also there are a lot of politics in here. Billy's mom is big into supporting political parties. I am also not a bit politics fan, so I found the inclusion of all of this to be boring and irritating. If you like sports and politics this may be the book for you.

Now let's move on to the superhero aspect of the novel. Billy gains his powers inconsistently and they change with no rhyme or reason...also they really aren't all that super. He can run faster, jump higher, heal faster...yawn. There is nothing creative here. Billy's enemies are just as boring and predictable. There just isn't anything fantastic here or anything interesting. Seriously my three year old son comes up with more creative and interesting super hero scenarios than those that are explored in this book.

Overall this book was poorly written, had an over-simplified plot, was boring, and not at all fantastical. It would be more for fans of sports and simplistic politics. Honestly I am not sure what group the author is aiming at with this novel. There isn't enough action and adventure to interest me (an adult female) and I can't imagine any young adult boys finding this much more interesting. Technically the writing was correct and there weren't a lot of spelling errors or anything so that's why it gets two stars versus one.(less)

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Dec 08, 2010 J rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read after meeting author at a book signing ...

A large departure from his first book "Travel Team"... It deals with heavy topics like death, violence and national security. It also explores the struggle to discern good from evil without much guidance and under pressure of violent attacks. It also references the capability for evil that each person has inside themselves as they struggle to identify evil in the outside world. Very post 9-11. Two quotes that stick with me are "The ones who tell you...more

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Sep 22, 2010 Paul Sheckarski rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Disclaimer: Read an ARC.

Hero's central conflict is utterly toothless: mysterious events force a fledgling superhero to question a close relative's loyalty. Okay, there's potential there. But Lupica crams the final revelation into such a few pages that we're not given ample opportunity to take in its horror in full measure.

Besides, the father we're supposed to mourn with the main character lacks human specificity. All we know about their relationship is that Dad promised to take him to lots of Kn...more Disclaimer: Read an ARC.

Hero's central conflict is utterly toothless: mysterious events force a fledgling superhero to question a close relative's loyalty. Okay, there's potential there. But Lupica crams the final revelation into such a few pages that we're not given ample opportunity to take in its horror in full measure.

Besides, the father we're supposed to mourn with the main character lacks human specificity. All we know about their relationship is that Dad promised to take him to lots of Knicks games but never really got around to it because he was too busy saving the world. His superhuman perfection, coupled with that lack of detail about his human personality, renders him a character who we find difficult to mourn in any real, meaningful way. Honestly, even the main character doesn't seem all that broken up about it.

So if the central conflict regards the circumstances of the death of a character we can't really feel anything for, the stakes are essentially meaningless. Lupica (who must have sensed this) props his novel up with the very real tragedy of September 11th, who (it is revealed) "the Bads" had a hand in. Oh, the "Bads" are everywhere there's trouble, from "sea pirates to the Middle East." (Notice the racial othering at work here? Lupica may blame the world's evils on those pesky "others" but he's got nobody to blame for poor plotting but himself.)

Several other reviewers have noted that nothing seems to happen in this book, and that's an accurate assessment of everything that happens between its exciting first chapter and its too-quick climax. There are physical conflicts that involve superpowers, yes, but the stakes and circumstances are so hazily presented and understood that the action makes little sense.

The novel's best scene is the basketball practice scene, culminating with the protagonist's fight in the park with a bully. It's a familiar scene, bordering on cliche, but presented with such rich detail and clarity that it's much more emotionally evocative than any of the overblown global-conflict Good-Bad struggle. Plus, Lupica gets to play to his real strength in this scene: describing the action of a sport.

I think I've said what I've come to say. One final note, though, and perhaps the most salient detail to describe how hastily put together this novel seems: there's a man running for president we're supposed to dislike in the novel. Lupica doesn't really tell us anything about him to earn our dislike, other than he's the opponent of the guy we're supposed to like -- and that his name is Dick Boras.

I mean COME ON.(less)

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Oct 24, 2012 Kelly J. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hero
Mike Lupica
289 pages
mystery

Hero is about a boy named Zach who's father dies in a plane crash. Now Zach's dad who was a spy or secret service man and he was coming home from a trip when his plane crashed. Everyone thinks it was an accident accept Zach. Zach thinks it was not an accident because of his dad's job. So Zach tries to find out if it is or isn't by researching it and going to the crash sight. Zach's mom tries to make Zach forget about it all and move on but Zach doesn't give up. Wh...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Erin Forson rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Let’s face it, the closest thing to a sport I will ever take part in is a race to the bestseller shelf at Barnes.
Yet, I love how Mike Lupica can take a subject that would typically put me to sleep, like baseball and football, weave it into a cast of awesome characters, and keep me riveted to the action. The novels, Heat and Million Dollar Throw captured me for that reason, and it is because of those novels that I chose to read Hero. Sadly, however, Hero didn’t keep me nearly as glued as the oth...more Let’s face it, the closest thing to a sport I will ever take part in is a race to the bestseller shelf at Barnes.
Yet, I love how Mike Lupica can take a subject that would typically put me to sleep, like baseball and football, weave it into a cast of awesome characters, and keep me riveted to the action. The novels, Heat and Million Dollar Throw captured me for that reason, and it is because of those novels that I chose to read Hero. Sadly, however, Hero didn’t keep me nearly as glued as the others.

Zach’s dad is something of a hero, he’s the president’s right-hand man, scares the bejesus out of “The Bads” (or bad guys) and has the love of everyone around him—especially Zach—who doesn’t get to see his dad nearly as much as he’d like. When Zach’s dad dies in a plane accident, Zach and his family are stunned, but Zach is more stunned when he discovers that his father had a secret, and now it’s up to Zach to discover what that secret was and what it has to do with Zach. Chapter one begins with butt-kicking action, but then the action slows instantly. Zach and his friend Kate live in New York City, the city that never sleeps, and yet I was finding myself hard-pressed to stay awake while Zach explores first the plane crash site, and then the park in search of answers. Even when Zach encounters trouble and has to fight for his life, the action slows immediately after each conflict, making the story’s momentum stagger. Couple that with the fact that each conflict is followed by long, suggestive conversations between Zach’s “Uncle” John and the mysterious Mr. Herbert, and it can be easy for even the most motivated reader to stay invested in the outcome. Too little information is provided as the story moves on, and frankly, the identity of the villain and the good guy are a little too easy to figure out. The best part of this story was Kate’s tough-as-nails attitude, and reading about what living in New York City is like for the well-to-do. Overall, I prefer Lupica’s previous efforts.
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Jul 05, 2012 Mike rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, borrowed

I would give this book zero stars if Goodreads would let me.

This is Mr. Lupica's first book that does not have a sports-related storyline. I'd forgive you if you had a hard time figuring that out, because the book is littered with superfluous references to sports which contribute little, if anything, to the value of the book.

What I felt to be the most compelling storyline was actually a sub-plot involving a bully at school. This plot seems to reach a peak in the middle of the book and then, inex...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Griffin Golden rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hero Book Review
Griffin Golden

Hero, by Mike Lupica is a novel written in 2010 recomended for teens. Author Mike Lupica has written many award winning novels, none as exciting as Hero. The novel begins in the spacious New York City apartment of 8th grader, Billy Harriman. Billy lives with his mom and dad, but his dad travels a lot. He doesn’t no much about what his dad does, but he thinks his dad is some kind of secret agent for the government. Sometimes the president calls Mr. Harriman and disc...more Hero Book Review
Griffin Golden

Hero, by Mike Lupica is a novel written in 2010 recomended for teens. Author Mike Lupica has written many award winning novels, none as exciting as Hero. The novel begins in the spacious New York City apartment of 8th grader, Billy Harriman. Billy lives with his mom and dad, but his dad travels a lot. He doesn’t no much about what his dad does, but he thinks his dad is some kind of secret agent for the government. Sometimes the president calls Mr. Harriman and discusses various things. One day Billy gets the news that his dad’s plane crashed in an engine failure, however Billy is convinced that it was no accident. He’s convinced someone killed his dad on purpose. After his dad’s, death Billy begins to change physically, he some kind of super powers and he’s not sure what to make of them. When his friend Kate gets assaulted by two robbers, Billy runs in at super speed and fights off the criminals using expert karate moves, yet he’s never taken a karate class in his life. He completely overpowers the seemingly stronger and older men. What’s happening to me? Billy wonders. Two mysterious men begin to show up in Billy’s life, Mr. Herbert and Uncle John. They each begin to give him conflicting advice, and Billy doesn’t know who to believe. He has to figure out what his new found powers mean and what he’s supposed to use them for.
Hero is an action packed thriller. Most readers find it impossible to put the book down. Mike Lupica does a great job of revealing a few details, but still making some things unclear. In many books and movies, how the story will end is blatant, halfway through it’s obvious what is going to happen. In Hero, readers aren’t sure what twists and turns lie even on the next page, compelling them to read on. Billy’s powers and what they are supposed to be used for are a mystery for most of the book, so there is no way the reader can predict what will happen next. Lupica also uses foreshadowing in an interesting way. After Mr. Harriman’s death, when Billy begins to develop his powers, little details are sprinkled into the narrative to help the reader understand his capabilities. As the book continues, enough pieces to the puzzle are provided so that the book becomes more clear. One day, soon after his father’s death, Spencer, the school bully, decides to pick on Billy like he normally does. Most days, Billy would just take the beating without saying a word, but this time was different. Billy felt his heart thumping with rage as Spencer walked over. When Spence gives Billy a little shove, Billy fights back with a strong punch to the jaw. Surprised and embarrased, Spencer walks away in shame. Overall, Hero was a very interesting read that can satisfy the needs of any action loving reader. (less)

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Griffin Golden Hero Book Review
Griffin Golden

Hero, by Mike Lupica is a novel written in 2010 recomended for teens. Author Mike Lupica has written many award winning...more Hero Book Review
Griffin Golden

Hero, by Mike Lupica is a novel written in 2010 recomended for teens. Author Mike Lupica has written many award winning novels, none as exciting as Hero. The novel begins in the spacious New York City apartment of 8th grader, Billy Harriman. Billy lives with his mom and dad, but his dad travels a lot. He doesn’t no much about what his dad does, but he thinks his dad is some kind of secret agent for the government. Sometimes the president calls Mr. Harriman and discusses various things. One day Billy gets the news that his dad’s plane crashed in an engine failure, however Billy is convinced that it was no accident. He’s convinced someone killed his dad on purpose. After his dad’s, death Billy begins to change physically, he some kind of super powers and he’s not sure what to make of them. When his friend Kate gets assaulted by two robbers, Billy runs in at super speed and fights off the criminals using expert karate moves, yet he’s never taken a karate class in his life. He completely overpowers the seemingly stronger and older men. What’s happening to me? Billy wonders. Two mysterious men begin to show up in Billy’s life, Mr. Herbert and Uncle John. They each begin to give him conflicting advice, and Billy doesn’t know who to believe. He has to figure out what his new found powers mean and what he’s supposed to use them for.
Hero is an action packed thriller. Most readers find it impossible to put the book down. Mike Lupica does a great job of revealing a few details, but still making some things unclear. In many books and movies, how the story will end is blatant, halfway through it’s obvious what is going to happen. In Hero, readers aren’t sure what twists and turns lie even on the next page, compelling them to read on. Billy’s powers and what they are supposed to be used for are a mystery for most of the book, so there is no way the reader can predict what will happen next. Lupica also uses foreshadowing in an interesting way. After Mr. Harriman’s death, when Billy begins to develop his powers, little details are sprinkled into the narrative to help the reader understand his capabilities. As the book continues, enough pieces to the puzzle are provided so that the book becomes more clear. One day, soon after his father’s death, Spencer, the school bully, decides to pick on Billy like he normally does. Most days, Billy would just take the beating without saying a word, but this time was different. Billy felt his heart thumping with rage as Spencer walked over. When Spence gives Billy a little shove, Billy fights back with a strong punch to the jaw. Surprised and embarrased, Spencer walks away in shame. Overall, Hero was a very interesting read that can satisfy the needs of any action loving reader.(less)
Jan 04, 2012 05:32pm

Sep 20, 2011 Josiah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Being on the side of good can mean a lonely life. But not as lonely as giving in."

—Mr. Herbert, Hero, P. 283

My rating for this book, which would probably be two and a half stars, is heavily contingent upon whether or not Hero is the first installment in a trilogy, or at the very least is planned to have a follow-up book. Nowhere does it say inside of the first edition printing I read that this is going to be the case, but I think it almost has to be. On its own, Hero leaves a plethora of maj...more

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