We Could Be Heroes

(Hardback)

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Description

Shiloh meets Raymie Nightingale in this funny and heartwarming debut novel about a ten-year-old that finds himself in a whole mess of trouble when his new friend Maisie recruits him to save the dog next door.

Hank Hudson is in a bit of trouble. After an incident involving the boys bathroom and a terribly sad book his teacher is forcing them to read, Hank is left with a weeks suspension and a slightly charred hardcoverand, it turns out, the attention of new girl Maisie Huang.

Maisie has been on the lookout for a kid with the meatballs to help her with a very important mission: Saving her neighbors dog, Booler. Booler has seizures, and his owner, Mr. Jorgensen, keeps him tied to a tree all day and night because of them. Its enough to make Hank even sadder than that book doeshe has autism, and he knows what its like to be treated poorly because of something that makes you different.

But different is not less. And Hank is willing to get into even more trouble to prove it. Soon he and Maisie are lying, brown-nosing, baking, and cow milking all in the name of saving Boolerbut not everything is as it seems. Booler might not be the only one who needs saving. And being a hero can look a lot like being a friend.

Reviews

"Finnegan successfully explores bullying, physical and mental differences, empathy, trust, intergenerational
friendships, and compassion for animals. A sweet story with excellent read-aloud potential." -- Booklist
"A coming-of-age story of friendships young, old, and canine." -- Kirkus Reviews
"[A] good-natured tale of two unlikely friends determined to save a life." -- Publishers Weekly
"Alively story about ethics and friendship compelling for the neurodivergent and neurotypical alike." -- BCCB
"[A] heart-warming story of friendship." -- School Library Connection
"Touching, often humorous... An excellent choice for a classroom read-aloud." -- School Library Journal

Author Bio

Margaret Finnegan is the author of theJunior Library Guild SelectionsNew Kids and Underdogs,We Could Be Heroes,andSusie B. Wont Back Down.Her other work has appeared inFamilyFun, theLos Angeles Times,Salon, and other publications. She lives in South Pasadena, California, where she enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, and baking really good chocolate cakes. Connect with her at MargaretFinnegan.com.