Hero by Sarah Lean

Hero by Sarah Lean
Buy Hero by Sarah Lean at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Confident Readers
Reviewer: Anne Thompson
Summary: This is a touching story about the friendship between a young boy with big dreams of being a hero and a small but special dog. Recommended to dog lovers everywhere.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 304	Date: February 2014
Publisher: Harper Collins
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 9780007514449
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Leo is a boy with a big imagination. He is a bit of an outsider and feels overshadowed by the achievements of others, in particular by those of his older sister, but in his dreams he is a brave and all-conquering Roman gladiator. Desperate to be a hero in the real world and receive attention from those he wants to impress, one day Leo makes a bad decision and does something wrong. As the repercussions multiply and Leo feels that he has let everyone down, the disappearance of a small dog called Jack Pepper offers him the opportunity to put things right.

This is a very touching story and it is especially refreshing to come across a book about animals that would undoubtedly appeal equally as much to boys as to girls. Leo is a sympathetic character and his failings in some ways add to his appeal. The introduction of the different characters is well done giving the young reader time to get to know them. The plot gradually builds and the tension mounts to an exciting finale which I think children would find gripping. Leo’s interest in Roman history and the links to this in the story may encourage the reader to find out more about this topic too.

In addition to an adventure story this is very much a book about friendship, loyalty and kindness too. The relationship between Leo and his best friend George feels true to life as does the bickering between Leo and his older sister. The sympathetic writing style would probably appeal to children who enjoy books by Michael Morpurgo as in many ways I feel it is similar to his work.

The book itself is attractive; an important point for its target audience. Despite being 300 pages long and therefore quite a meaty read for children of about 9 plus, the age suggested on the cover, the text is well spaced out on the page making it look less daunting. The lovely illustrations by Gary Blythe add to the appeal. I think that a confident reader of 8 would be able to manage this but would like to think that the story could be enjoyed by children of about 12 or so too. Recommended to dog lovers everywhere.

I would like to thank Harper Collins for sending this copy to the Bookbag.

If this whets your appetite for another charming story about a boy and a dog I can recommend One Dog And His Boy by Eva Ibbotson and Sharon Rentta I also very much enjoyed Sarah Lean’s debut novel A Dog Called Homeless about the relationship between a girl and an unusual dog.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Hero by Sarah Lean at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.

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