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Hero Paperback – July 12, 2011

by Mike Lupica (Author)

4.6 469 ratings

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From the #1 bestselling author of Heat, Travel Team and Million-Dollar Throw.

Zach Harriman knew that his dad was something of a hero, a man trusted by the president to solve international crises at a moment's notice. Suddenly people are telling him he has powers - people who know much more about his father than Zach ever did. But there are the Bads, who appear out of nowhere and attack him and his best friend. One thing is clear: he can do things ordinary people cannot. Like fend off grown men as though he possesses the strength of a hundred. Like sense when evil is about to strike. And evil is about to strike in a very big way. Zach Harriman is his father's son. And he, too, is a hero.

"Every kid wants to be a superhero. Well, be careful what you wish for - you might get it. This is the amazing story of Zach Harriman and nothing Mike Lupica has written will thrill you like this."
- William Goldman, author of The Princess Bride

4 stars and above

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Hero:

“[N]othing Mike Lupica has written will thrill you like this.” –William Goldman, author of The Princess Bride

“Sportswriter and novelist Lupica offers a change of pace from his previous sports stories for younger readers, deftly reworking the traditional superhero origin story into a moving tale of adolescent growth.” –Publisher’s Weekly

“[T]he stage is set for a sequel to what looks like a surefire hit.” –School Library Journal

About the Author

Mike Lupica is the author of multiple bestselling books for young readers, including QB 1, Heat, Travel Team, Million-Dollar Throw, and The Underdogs. He has carved out a niche as the sporting world’s finest storyteller. Mike lives in Connecticut with his wife and their four children. When not writing novels, Mike Lupica writes for New York's Daily News, appears on ESPN's The Sports Reporters and hosts The Mike Lupica Show on ESPN Radio. You can visit Mike Lupica at mikelupicabooks.com

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

1

THERE were four thugs, total gangsters, in front of the house with their rifles and their night-vision goggles. Four more in back. No telling how many more inside.

So figure a dozen hard guys at least, protecting one of the worst guys in the world.

Not one of them having a clue about how much trouble they were really in, how badly I had them outnumbered.

Hired guns, in any country, never worried me. The Bads? They were the real enemy, worse than any terrorists, even if I was one of the few people alive who knew they existed.

Even my boss, the president of the United States, didn’t know what we were really up against, how much he really needed me.

When he talked about our country fighting an “unseen” threat, he didn’t know how true that really was.

When my son, Zach, was little, I used to tell him these fantastic bedtime stories about the Bads, and he thought I was making them up. I wasn’t.

The snow was falling hard now, bringing night along with it. Not good. Definitely not good. I didn’t need a blizzard tonight, not if I wanted to get the plane in the air once I got back to the small terminal near the airport in Zagreb. Which was only going to happen if I could get past the guards, get inside, and then back out with the guy I’d come all this way for. It meant things going the way they were supposed to, which didn’t always happen in my line of work.

My official line of work? That would be special adviser to the president. A title that meant nothing on nights like this. On assignments like this. The real job description was fixing things, things that other people couldn’t, saving people who needed saving, capturing
people who needed to be stopped. Dispensing my own brand of justice.

Sometimes I had help, people watching my back.

Not tonight. Tonight I was on my own. Not even the president knew I was here. Sometimes you have to play by your own rules.

On this remote hill in northern Bosnia, near where the concentration camps had been discovered a few years before, I had managed to finally locate a Serb war criminal and part-time terrorist named Vladimir Radovic. He was known to governments around the world
and decent people everywhere as Vlad the Bad because of all the innocent people he’d slaughtered when he was in power, before he was on the run.

To me, he was known by a code name, which I thought fit him much better:

The Rat.

I was here to catch the Rat.

Me, Tom Harriman. About to blow past the guns and inside a cabin that had been turned into an armed fortress.

Almost time now. I didn’t just feel the darkness all around me, as if night had fallen out of the sky all at once. I could feel another darkness coming up inside me, the way it always did in moments like this, when something was about to happen. When I didn’t have to keep my own bad self under control. When I could be one of the good guys but not have to behave like one.

The me that still scares me.

Time to go in and tell the Rat his ride was here.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (July 12, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0142419605
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0142419601
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 15 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 730L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #734,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #251 in Teen & Young Adult Superhero Fiction
- #1,834 in Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Action & Adventure
- #1,930 in Teen & Young Adult Sword & Sorcery Fantasy

Customer Reviews:
4.6 469 ratings

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Mike Lupica

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Mike Lupica is one of the most prominent sports writers in America. His longevity at the top of his field is based on his experience and insider's knowledge, coupled with a provocative presentation that takes an uncompromising look at the tumultuous world of professional sports. Today he is a syndicated columnist for the New York Daily News, which includes his popular “Shooting from the Lip” column, which appears every Sunday. He began his newspaper career covering the New York Knicks for the New York Post at age 23. He became the youngest columnist ever at a New York paper with the New York Daily News, which he joined in 1977. For more than 30 years, Lupica has added magazines, novels, sports biographies, other non-fiction books on sports, as well as television to his professional resume. For the past fifteen years, he has been a TV anchor for ESPN's The Sports Reporters. He also hosted his own program, The Mike Lupica Show on ESPN2. In 1987, Lupica launched “The Sporting Life” column in Esquire magazine. He has published articles in other magazines, including Sport, World Tennis, Tennis, Golf Digest, Playboy, Sports Illustrated, ESPN: The Magazine, Men's Journal and Parade. He has received numerous honors, including the 2003 Jim Murray Award from the National Football Foundation. Mike Lupica co-wrote autobiographies with Reggie Jackson and Bill Parcells, collaborated with noted author and screenwriter, William Goldman on Wait Till Next Year, and wrote The Summer of '98, Mad as Hell: How Sports Got Away from the Fans and How We Get It Back and Shooting From the Lip, a collection of columns. In addition, he has written a number of novels, including Dead Air, Extra Credits, Limited Partner, Jump, Full Court Press, Red Zone, Too Far and national bestsellers Wild Pitch and Bump and Run. Dead Air was nominated for the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best First Mystery and became a CBS television move, “Money, Power, Murder” to which Lupica contributed the teleplay. Over the years he has been a regular on the CBS Morning News, Good Morning America and The MacNeil-Lehrer Newshour. On the radio, he has made frequent appearances on Imus in the Morning since the early 1980s. His previous young adult novels, Travel Team, Heat, Miracle on 49th Street, and the summer hit for 2007, Summer Ball, have shot up the New York Times bestseller list. Lupica is also what he describes as a “serial Little League coach,” a youth basketball coach, and a soccer coach for his four children, three sons and a daughter. He and his family live in Connecticut.

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469 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and suspenseful, with unexpected twists. They describe it as an interesting read for teens and young adults. The story is heartwarming and inspiring, with meaningful characters and a balance between good and evil. Readers enjoy the variety of characters and their superhero powers. Many find the book enjoyable and not boring. However, opinions differ on the readability - some find it well-written and easy to understand, while others find it confusing or hard to follow at first.

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Suspenseful Appeal Heartwarming Character variety Enjoyment Readability

30 customers mention "Suspenseful"27 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful and exciting storyline with interesting twists. They find it an easy, entertaining read with a good premise and action-packed plot. The book is suitable for mystery and thriller fans.

"...book yet, and it is a total departure from his usual work: it's a superhero story, and it's totally believable...." Read more

"...I love the characters and how Zach gets his powers. I love the secrets that are revealed. All in all a wonderful story so buy it!!!" Read more

"This book was very original and heartwarming. Felt as if I was watching a movie! Hard to understand at first for me, but overall amazing" Read more

"...It's a fun quick, exciting read, with lots of twists. I would highly recommend for upper elementary and middle school boys...." Read more

11 customers mention "Appeal"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting for teens and young adults. It's a fun read that appeals to boys and girls, as well as adults who enjoy sports.

"...It's safe for kids and a good read. It will appeal to boys as well as girls, and husbands who watch ESPN." Read more

"...I thought it was a great young adult fiction book...." Read more

"It was long, but very interesting and as good wording and use of words. I recommend it to any age above elementary schoolers. - Owen Brokaw, 7th grade" Read more

"very interesting for teens" Read more

7 customers mention "Heartwarming"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book. They found it touching, inspiring, and believable. The story had a good balance of good and evil, making it a great family read.

"...departure from his usual work: it's a superhero story, and it's totally believable...." Read more

"This book was very original and heartwarming. Felt as if I was watching a movie! Hard to understand at first for me, but overall amazing" Read more

"...Meaningful good vs. Evil balance and mix in each character." Read more

"We thought it was a good family read. My son and I loved it. Can't wait to read the next one." Read more

6 customers mention "Character variety"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's variety of characters. They love learning about the main character's superhero powers and how he uses them. The book is one of their favorite super hero books.

"This is seriously one of my favorite super hero books of all time. I give it 5 stars! I wish he would write a sequel to it. I could not put it down...." Read more

"...I thought it was a great young adult fiction book. I loved the characters and the story and was disappointed when it ended it left me wanting more..." Read more

"...I read it with him. He loved finding out about the main characters superhero powers and how he was going to use them. A lot of suspense." Read more

"...Otherwise, I loved the story, the characters, fantastic theme , and it was an overall great book." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it enjoyable, suspenseful, and an exciting read with lots of twists that keep them interested and hooked on the action.

"...It's a fun quick, exciting read, with lots of twists. I would highly recommend for upper elementary and middle school boys...." Read more

"Not the best of books, but enjoyable and suspenseful. It has action, and mystery, creating one of the best books by Mike Lupica. I enjoyed it." Read more

"...Since it kept me interested and hooked on tha action the entire time" Read more

"Amazing. Awesome could read it every day and not get bored. I can't wait till the sequel of hero comes out. Hero." Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"6 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it well-written and easy to understand, with good wording and use of words. Others find it confusing at first and lacking a clear point to the story.

"...It's a comic book turned novel with lots of great dialog, sports metaphors, and cultural relevance. Social issues:..." Read more

"...Felt as if I was watching a movie! Hard to understand at first for me, but overall amazing" Read more

"Easy to read, entertaining, classic tale of good and evil...." Read more

"It was long, but very interesting and as good wording and use of words. I recommend it to any age above elementary schoolers. - Owen Brokaw, 7th grade" Read more

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Dawne B.
A teen superhero for today...
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2011
Verified Purchase

I loved, loved, loved this book! Mike Lupica first won me over with his sports-themed novels (Travel Team, The Million-Dollar Throw), then he upped the ante with his two-hankie Miracle on 49th Street. Hero is his best book yet, and it is a total departure from his usual work: it's a superhero story, and it's totally believable. The first chapter is told by Tom Harriman, American hero, spy, and Presidential advisor--a larger-than-life guy on a mission to kidnap a terrorist from a foreign fortress so he can be returned to the U.S. for trial. Picture Arnold Schwarzeneger in True Lies, but without the accent. The rest of the story is told by Harriman's eighth-grade son, Zach. Zach HAS to take over because, as we soon discover, his dad is killed before completing the mission. At first Zach's story is about grieving for his father and trying to pick up the pieces of his life. However, when he visits the scene of his father's death, he exposes himself to unexpected danger AND discovers he has super powers. Soon, the fate of Zach's family--not to mention the entire nation--depends on Zach's ability to develop and use his gifts to defeat the Bads. This story will first move you, then keep you on the edge of your seat 'till the shocking conclusion. Luckily for us, Hero is the first book in a planned series featuring Zach Harriman, superhero.
Dawn Butcher, 7-12 Library Media SpecialistMillion-Dollar Throw The Batboy Miracle on 49th Street True Lies

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Ally
Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2012
Verified Purchase
This is seriously one of my favorite super hero books of all time. I give it 5 stars! I wish he would write a sequel to it. I could not put it down. I'm 22 years old and needed something different to read. This was it!!! Everyone should pick up this book if you love the superhero thing. I love the characters and how Zach gets his powers. I love the secrets that are revealed. All in all a wonderful story so buy it!!!

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Toothless in Texas
Reading this book is like eating candy
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2012
Verified Purchase
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 unexpectedly. It's your classic good vs. evil book although it keeps you guessing on who the good guys and bad guys are. And ultimately, its the struggle of good vs. evil within ourselves too.

Theology: I am my own god

There's was an old man character in the book with mystical powers and I wondered if he was going to end up as a God-type character, but he didn't.

The main character, Zach Harriman, struggles with grief over his father's passing while dealing with his new death which brings on lots of internal anger. In the end he has to decide what kind of man he's going to be (good). But ultimately, he decides on self-reliance, a typical theme in our American culture where we believe its all about us and we can do everything ourselves.

This is more of a statement on our culture and not a condemnation of the book. We believe that in America if you try hard enough you will succeed (the American dream) but peace comes when we release ourselves to follow our Creator. Submission is the key to happiness, not self-reliance.

If you ask Mike Lupica (interview at [...]), he says

"All of my books are about kids getting knocked down and then showing readers what they are made of by getting back up."

"I always tell the kids in audience that we grew up in different times," Lupica said. "When I grew up I didn't have ESPN or cable or laptops and, of course, they do. But, despite that, we are exactly the same because we both love a good story and understand that no piece of technology is better than opening a book to page one and knowing that you are walking into a world that you have never inhabited before."

That's certainly admirable.

Rating: G

There is mild violence in the book but its not graphic at all. It's a comic book turned novel with lots of great dialog, sports metaphors, and cultural relevance.

Social issues:

The book deals with bullying a little, but its more about dealing with grief, internal anger, and finding your way in life

This book is one of the 20 books up for this year's Bluebonnet Awards for the state of Texas. Kids in 3rd-6th grades get to vote for their favorite book and this one might just win. It's safe for kids and a good read. It will appeal to boys as well as girls, and husbands who watch ESPN.

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3 people found this helpful

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Alyssa Fox
Absolutely amazing.
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book was very original and heartwarming. Felt as if I was watching a movie! Hard to understand at first for me, but overall amazing

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Rebecca
Hero is a winner!
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
Mike Lupica left his normal genre and stretched himself with Hero. It's a fun quick, exciting read, with lots of twists. I would highly recommend for upper elementary and middle school boys. But honestly, this middle age mom loved it too!

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avid buyer
great book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2014
Verified Purchase
I loved this book its great for a mystery book and good for book reports!!! Its a good long exiting book! I think its the best book I ever read , I was on the tip of my toes at the end and I definitely want to read it a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jocey A.
Awesome book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020
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This is one of the greatest books I've ever read, read it once like 5-6 years and I loved it so much I just had to buy it!!

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Jennifer
Hero by Mike Lupica
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
Not as good as i thought it would be. The writing was hard to understand, and it was very confusing. The story has no point to it. Watch Shazam! If you like superhero movies/stuff about kids.

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Jennifer

Hero by Mike Lupica

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020
Not as good as i thought it would be. The writing was hard to understand, and it was very confusing. The story has no point to it. Watch Shazam! If you like superhero movies/stuff about kids.

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Ms T.
A great read!
Reviewed in Canada on August 7, 2023
Verified Purchase

I got this book for a 10 year old who reads at a grade 6 level and she devoured it. She barely put it down! I hope to see more from this author.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!

A great read!