Like Some Kind of Hero: A Novel [Hardcover]

Jan Marino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1992

Ted Bradford steps on a lot of toes and endures many heartaches the summer he decides he would rather be a lifeguard than a musician.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In an attempt to be noticed by the girls, Ted makes up his mind to become a lifeguard--"We're going to be jocks . . . even if it kills us." He bites off more than he can chew, though, when he decides that, in addition to the lifeguard training class, he will spend his summer working a strenuous job and keeping up with his musical studies. Before the vacation is over, Ted has been "fired" by his music teacher, is in trouble on the job, is lying to his parents, has alienated his best friend and has lost his self-respect. The author of The Day That Elvis Came to Town and Eighty-Eight Steps to September brings this funny, bittersweet novel to a touching climax when her protagonist sacrifices certain success in his lifeguard qualifying exams for a chance to help a friend in dire trouble. This first-rate tale about growing up can hold its own nicely with the many popular chronicles of the genre. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-- A satisfying account of Ted Bradford's identity crisis and subsequent realization that becoming ``a hero'' is not worth the dual sacrifices of friendship and individuality. Despite his talent for guitar and his lawn care business, Ted decides that becoming a lifeguard will give him the physical prowess and social stature he needs to attract girls. The rigorous daily training erodes his other commitments. Ultimately, an unassuming, perceptive girl in his lifeguard class prompts the boy to reassess his priorities and live up to his values. Ted narrates his story with candor and insight. His observations, conversations, and experiences realistically depict a teenager struggling between establishing an image and finding his true self. Secondary readers will enjoy Ted's point of view and will identify with his dilemmas and decisions. --Gerry Larson, Chewning Junior High School, Durham, NC
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv); 1st edition (January 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316546267
• ISBN-13: 978-0316546263
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,514,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Like Some Kind Of Hero, October 3, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Like Some Kind of Hero (Paperback)

I liked this book. Ted is tired of being pushed around, and decides to do something about it. He trys out for the swim team at school. He decides that he would be the best lifeguard// swimmer in his town. He eventually becomes good and starts to become part of the jock group.But he starts to lose focus on who his true friends are, and starts to become something, he joined the swim team to be better than in the first place. It was a fun story that related to kids any where from 7th grade up. I think it was a good book.

4.0 out of 5 stars A great story that teenagers can relate to in some way., May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Like Some Kind of Hero: A Novel (Hardcover)

This book, Like Some Kind Of Hero, is a great book that talks about real life situations. I thought that I could relate to this book, because the kids are around my age, at about 14 years old, and everything that happens could be put in a situation that I could find myself in. Ted is one of the main characters that gets himself into a lot of problems, but he does that by trying to be just like the "popular group." Ted told the story and his troubles as a teenage boy, but at the end the problems seemed to all disappear. I thought the rest of the characters, including Ted, were very well put together. I could not put the book down. Every page was filled with good conversation, so I would just call it a page- turner. If you are interested in reading this great story, I highly would suggest it. It has a touch of humor, sports and romance.

4.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD AND FUN BOOK, June 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Like Some Kind of Hero (Paperback)

Ted and Will are two good friends who want to sign-up to lifeguard practices, they did. On Monday they went to the beach. When they were called, Mr. Stone said that they didn't do a bad job.Ted's mom wrote a note, he made the team.Then he called Will and he also made it. They would meet the next day, along with Aphie, a friend of them. Mr. Mueller, the soccer teacher, was the new teacher, he hated them. Ted and Will went mowing, but it started raining so Ted went home. The next day they went to the beach again and then they went to the pool and met Mr. Capra who gave some advice. When Ted cut's his hair off his family and friends are also shocked. Mr. Mueller started to ask some questions and told Ted to take his hat off. Mr. Mueller liked the cut. Friday the 13 was Ted's worst day ever. He was playing guitar really bad so Mr. Krauss told him he didn't want him as a student anymore. After sometime Ted's dad told Ted that he knew that he wasn't taking guitar classes. It is a fun and easy book to read. The lesson I learned is that the worse thing you can do is to lie. You can't lie at all, here Ted was trying to be someone else. You should read this book and look deep inside on yourself to feel it. This book explains the adolescent life of these kids, and how they want people or friends to think of them.