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| Image: Simon & Schuster |
We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan. 256 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers/ Simon & Schuster, February 25, 2020. 9781534445253. (Review of arc courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)
Middle Grade Monday features We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan. Hank Hansen isn't a fan of his teacher. She's reading a really, really sad book aloud to the class and it stirs up lots of emotion in Hank, who has some trouble processing strong feelings. When Hank gets into trouble for trying to set the book on fire in the boys' bathroom, his classmate, Maisie thinks that maybe Hank has the "meatballs" to help her on her mission - to free her neighbor's dog, Booler. Booler has seizures and spends his days tethered to a tree in the backyard of her elderly neighbor. Hank likes rules and doesn't like lying. But he also has no friends and Maisie offers the possibility of friendship. Plus, her mom and dad are geologists who keep cool rocks around their house and Hank's favorite thing is choosing three rocks from his collection to carry around in his pocket each day.
There's a lot to like in this debut. Quirky characters? Check. Dog possibly in need of rescue? Check. Grumpy old neighbor? Check. Misunderstandings? Humor? Warm hearts? Check. Check Check. I just loved the dynamic between Hank and Maisie and found myself laughing out loud frequently.
If your students like a great friendship story with humor and a small adventure, they will enjoy We Could be Heroes. One of the fifth grade LA teachers is always looking for read alouds that feature a hidden disability. I am passing this on to her. There is much to like here and I can imagine rich classroom discussion.
Look for We Could be Heroes on February 25, 2020.
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