Reviews

The Hero Next Door by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

jmtanner's review

3.0

Was looking for a read aloud story for 4th graders. None of these spoke to me.

jaimiestarshine's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

4.0

jenennap29's review against another edition

4.0

This anthology leans heavily away from realistic fiction short stories, but is filled to the brim with stories that allow for deep metaphors and discussions based on certain themes and ideals. I think this is an incredibly accessible teaching text for middle grades and could easily be used in a Hero's Journey unit.

willowgriffin's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

mrz_owenz's review against another edition

4.0

A collection of short stories aimed at middle school students. Most of the stories were interesting and entertaining with thoughtful lessons. My favorite has to be the one where a boy convinces his friend to not turn in an essay from the Internet because "Teachers know how to Google, too."

caseyjoreads's review

4.0

So glad this exists and I appreciate that there's a theme in this one (vs. Flying Lessons).

Highlights: Rita Garcia-Williams starts things off powerfully with Minnows and Zombies

Spoiler

Young swimmers facing folks on hard drugs on the way home, people who used to be real people. And a friend with an older sibling who might be heading that way.

. Home by Hena Khan, about adopting a younger brother from Morocco) is really sweet. Thrown by Mike Jung is full-on empowering I appreciate how Ellen Oh brought species privilege (do fairies have it easier than werewolves?) And Reina Madrid by R.J. Palacio was an unexpectedly solid story.

ness's review against another edition

3.0

I have a hard time understanding why WNDB would include an author who has made her name with incredibly ableist stories in this collection. Disability is part of diversity. Other than that, there are some beautiful stories in this collection; I especially enjoyed Lamar Giles’, Cynthia Leitich Smith’s, and William Alexander’s.

mrz_owenz's review against another edition

4.0

A collection of short stories aimed at middle school students. Most of the stories were interesting and entertaining with thoughtful lessons. My favorite has to be the one where a boy convinces his friend to not turn in an essay from the Internet because "Teachers know how to Google, too."