Heroes — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
The instant #1 New York Times bestseller!
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee, Ground Zero, and Two Degrees comes this heart-pounding, inventive, and powerful new novel about the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor... as only Alan Gratz can tell it!
December 6, 1941: Best friends Frank and Stanley have it good. With their dads stationed at the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii, the boys get to soak up the sunshine while writing and drawing their own comic books. World War II might be raging overseas, but so far America has stayed out of the fight. There's nothing to fear, right?
December 7th, 1941: Everything implodes.
Frank and Stanley are touring a battleship when Japanese planes zoom overhead, dropping bomb after bomb. As explosions roar and sailors scream, Frank and Stanley realize the unthinkable is happening: Japan is attacking America! The war has come to them.
Frantically, the boys struggle to find safety. But disaster and danger are everywhere--from torpedoes underwater to bullets on the beach... to the shocking cruelty that their friends and neighbors show Stanley. Because his mom is Japanese-American, Stanley is suddenly seen as the "enemy." And Frank, who is white, cannot begin to understand what his friend is now facing.
If the boys make it through this infamous day, can their friendship--and their dreams--survive? Or has everything they know been destroyed?
Told with the immediacy, high-stakes action, and inventive storytelling that make Alan Gratz (Refugee, Ground Zero) one of today's biggest authors, this riveting look at the attack on Pearl Harbor explores themes of prejudice, power, and what it truly means to be a hero.
Plus: The book ends with an all-original, 10-page black & white comic that brings to life the comic book idea that Frank and Stanley brainstorm in the novel. The comic is written by Alan Gratz and illustrated by Judit Tondora.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heroes appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book depicts the violent events of the Pearl Harbor attack, including chaos, danger, and the experiences of characters amid the violence. The narrative includes elements such as torpedoes, bullets, and the trauma associated with war, which may be intense for younger readers. The book contains content that could be considered scary, particularly due to the depiction of the Pearl Harbor attack, which includes bombs dropping and the chaos of war. These elements may be frightening for younger readers.
Does Heroes have violence?
The book depicts the violent events of the Pearl Harbor attack, including chaos, danger, and the experiences of characters amid the violence. The narrative includes elements such as torpedoes, bullets, and the trauma associated with war, which may be intense for younger readers.
Does Heroes have scary content?
The book contains content that could be considered scary, particularly due to the depiction of the Pearl Harbor attack, which includes bombs dropping and the chaos of war. These elements may be frightening for younger readers.
Does Heroes have religious themes?
No religious content is present in the book itself. The search results include references to other works and general discussions about religion, but do not indicate any religious practices or themes within 'Heroes'.
Does Heroes have racial/cultural content?
The narrative explores themes of racism, particularly in relation to the character Stanley, who is Japanese American. The book addresses the prejudice faced by him and his mother during and after the Pearl Harbor attack, making race a significant theme in the story.
Does Heroes have profanity?
No profanity is mentioned in the book. The search results do not indicate any use of strong language or swearing within the narrative.
Does Heroes have climate change?
No climate themes are present in the book. The search results discuss climate change in general but do not relate these themes to the narrative of 'Heroes'.
Does Heroes have sexual identity?
The book contains mild sexual content, including mentions of a girl having a crush on a character and non-sexual situations where soldiers' clothes are burned off during battle. These elements are not central to the story but are present.
Does Heroes have gender roles?
The book features strong female characters, such as the mothers of the main characters, who provide support and resilience during crises. While the focus is on the boys' friendship, the narrative acknowledges the roles of women in shaping their understanding of heroism and responsibility.
Does Heroes have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the book 'Heroes' by Alan Gratz. The search results primarily discuss LGBTQ+ topics in general and do not reference specific content from the book.
