Customer Reviews

Heroes

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For too long mainstream American clung to the idea that blue eyes and blond hair equalled an "all-American kid." In times of war, the resulting prejudice against our own citizens of Japanese descent led to some of the most shameful actions in our Nation's history. Here, a young boy's message that he is American is bolstered by the appearance of men in his family in their American military service uniforms. Heavier in its message than BASEBALL SAVED US (an outstanding title by the same author), the theme of HEROES nevertheless should be shared again and again.

This is a beautiful book. I was particularly moved by the quiet, gentle way the father and uncle helped the little boy, by showing his friends that their views were completely wrong, without berating or lecturing them, and then providing them with a new game to play. I am a bit baffled as to why one reviewer would demand to know why there are no heroines in the book. That's not what the story is about, is why. It's a gem of a book and to carp at it for not following someone else's agenda is staggeringly unfair.

A previous review asks why the boy in this story had to have help from his father and uncle to solve his problem with his classmates... children often need the help of the adults in their lives to solve problems. That is the nature of a child-parent relationship. I appreciated the way the uncle and father helped Donnie deal with the racist attitude of his classmates. I read this book to my children because I felt it was an excellent opportunity for them to develop empathy for someone "different" than themselves. As the parent of adopted children who have a Native American and Mexican heritage, I look for ways to develop in my kids a sense of diversity. I checked this book out from the library, but I am buying it because I would like to read it over and over to my kids! Perhaps I will have the opportunity to share it with their classrooms as well!

I wanted to like this book. The theme is one I think important. However, it was very troubling. First, the little boy is unable to speak up for himself. It's a poor message to Asian children. Second, the boy's father and uncle have to "speak" for him by appearing in uniform. All due respect to the veterans of the armed services, but why couldn't the boy resolve this problem himself instead of having grown ups do it for him? And what about heroines? This book fails to measure up to its promise. Save your money.