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missbookiverse's review against another edition
4.0
Barry Lyga spricht mit diesem Roman ungewöhnliche und ungemütliche Themen an. Wieso wird an jeder amerikanischen High School jeden Morgen der Treueschwur aufgesagt und warum wird es als so verwerflich angesehen, wenn ein Schüler sich dazu weigert? Protagonist Kevin stellt absolut berechtigte Fragen. Er will nicht mal provozieren, er will nur, dass die Menschen über ihr Handeln nachdenken, aber da kriegt er direkt sowas von ein Stoppschild vor die Nase gesetzt, dass ich innerlich am heiße-Ölbrühe-Kochen war. Es ist frustrierend wie realistisch es anscheinend ist, dass jemand der zum Selbstdenken animiert mit so viel Verachtung und Ignoranz gestraft wird. Umso besser, dass der Autor mit Hero Type den Mund weit aufreißt und seine Nachricht verbreitet. Mit dazu gibt es typische Leiden eines Teenagers: verliebt in die Unerreichbare (es endet nicht wie Klischees erwarten lassen) und der Kampf mit der Trennung der Eltern (sein Vater ist Müllmann und bringt ständig halbkaputte Geräte mit nach Hause, die man noch reparieren könnte und ist einfach herzergreifend ungelenk im Vatersein ♡). Wer schon andere Bücher von Barry Lyga kennt, wird als kleinen Bonus dem ein oder anderen bekannten Namen in Kevins Schulflur über den Weg laufen.
thukpa's review
4.0
I shuffled this book ahead a little in my reading queue because the next was about Iran, and I'd read another about Iran recently and wanted to give it some space. Lilttle did I know that this book would have a lot in common with another book I'd recently read The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. Both books have a secret society playing pranks, and the pranks are often social commentary (more so in Frankie's story, a little less in Hero.) Both kids, Kevin (Kross,) and Frankie are, in their own way, trying to make their way in High School while standing up for what they believe in. Both face a difficult decision at the end about doing the right thing for themselves, or taking the easy way out. Both books were very good, and despite the similarities, are very different.
michreadsmanybooks's review
4.0
I picked this book up on a whim at the library largely due to the cover. For some reason, I'm attracted to book covers with feet and converse sneakers. (Weird, I know) The official summary doesn't really give away all that much information but it does make the reader curious. At least, it made me very curious. I wanted to know what Kevin had done and why he was a hero in the first place and then a zero.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book-a lot. I had never heard of it prior to my trip to the library but I am so glad that I borrowed it. Kevin Ross is such a great protagonist. He is honest and has such a humorous approach to the way he sees things and explains them. I found him to be very easy to relate to and just awesome in general. I really enjoyed watching him as he went through multiple phases and stages in this novel. Character growth is one of my favourite things and Kevin does a lot of growing in Hero Type.
The supporting characters were quite fascinating as well and very entertaining not to mention original. The whole concept of this novel was really great. It focuses a lot on free speech and expressing your opinion and not backing down because those around you see things another way. Kevin is from a small town where much of what occurs is viewed in a very similar fashion yet Kevin takes a stand and voices his own view point regardless of the backlash. I actually learned a lot from this novel; it is very informative.
Overall: I think Hero Type is a great book definitely worth reading. I don't want to give too much away in this review mostly because one of the best parts for me when reading this novel was the ambiguity. The summary doesn't give too much away and so it makes it much more exciting to read because you're uncertain of what's to come and superior curious as well.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book-a lot. I had never heard of it prior to my trip to the library but I am so glad that I borrowed it. Kevin Ross is such a great protagonist. He is honest and has such a humorous approach to the way he sees things and explains them. I found him to be very easy to relate to and just awesome in general. I really enjoyed watching him as he went through multiple phases and stages in this novel. Character growth is one of my favourite things and Kevin does a lot of growing in Hero Type.
The supporting characters were quite fascinating as well and very entertaining not to mention original. The whole concept of this novel was really great. It focuses a lot on free speech and expressing your opinion and not backing down because those around you see things another way. Kevin is from a small town where much of what occurs is viewed in a very similar fashion yet Kevin takes a stand and voices his own view point regardless of the backlash. I actually learned a lot from this novel; it is very informative.
Overall: I think Hero Type is a great book definitely worth reading. I don't want to give too much away in this review mostly because one of the best parts for me when reading this novel was the ambiguity. The summary doesn't give too much away and so it makes it much more exciting to read because you're uncertain of what's to come and superior curious as well.
margeryb's review
2.0
I think the biggest downfall of this book was that it focused on the least interesting of the three main conflicts presented to the main character.
kricketa's review
3.0
kevin saved leah's life- but why was he in the right place at the right time?
so the mayor gives him a sweet deal on a car- but the car comes with a couple of those magnetic 'support the troops' ribbons. kevin's dad, who served in the military, makes kevin take them off. a reporter sees, and kevin the hero is suddenly no longer a hero, even though he still tackled that serial killer who was about to rape leah.
ever so slightly preachy after kevin takes on his crusade to make people think about patriotism for themselves, but overall a truly interesting read.
so the mayor gives him a sweet deal on a car- but the car comes with a couple of those magnetic 'support the troops' ribbons. kevin's dad, who served in the military, makes kevin take them off. a reporter sees, and kevin the hero is suddenly no longer a hero, even though he still tackled that serial killer who was about to rape leah.
ever so slightly preachy after kevin takes on his crusade to make people think about patriotism for themselves, but overall a truly interesting read.
librariann's review
5.0
I do love Barry Lyga's books, and this one is no exception. Fully realized and layered protagonist with the right amount of cluelessness for a high school boy - but one who wants to learn and grow and try to do right. Also notable because Kevin returns to religion (catholicism) at the end of the book, but not in a preachy way that pissed me off. That's a tall order.
orangerful's review
4.0
I wish I could give this book 3.5 stars...that's more how I feel about it. There are almost too many plots and subplots going on...
In 'Hero Type' by Barry Lyga, Kevin goes from favorite son to outcast overnight when he stops the attack on the town sweetheart Leah. Everyone in Brookdale loves him and the mayor of the town practically gives him a car. The car is fine, but the mayor slaps on two "Support Our Troops" ribbons to the back of the trunk. When Kevin arrives at home, his father orders him to remove the ribbons from the vehicle. Kevin obeys without question and is caught be reporters as he tosses the magnets into the garbage. When asked why he did it, Kevin decides not to blame his father, but to take a stand. The simple act of throwing away the magnets goes from Kevin honoring his father into an experiment in free speech.
'Hero Type' is a conundrum of a story, teetering on the edge between poingant and annoying. I feel that it will be more readable as we move away from the era of ribbon magnets and flag pins...whenever that might be. This book would be great for a teen discussion group, but I think it would take a teacher with a lot of experience and guts to use this book. Not because there is anything racy, but because it is an argument that is being debated by adults as well as teens. The free speech debate is never easy but this book would be a great tool for someone teaching about the first amendment and why the debate continues today. It is obvious which side Lyga comes down on, and since I agreed with his attitude, I found the book enjoyable. But someone that does not agree with him might find this story unreadable.
But really, the story of the free speech debate is only a subplot to the story of Kevin and his run in with Leah in the alley, along with his strained relationship between his estranged family members. Kevin struggles with the idea that he would ever be considered a "hero" due to personal issues he has dealt with over the past year.
'Hero Type' was a very intriguing read, the kind of book you want to read with a friend so you can discuss it right away. You might not agree with everything Kevin says or does, but he makes some very good points about free speech, America, and how we treat our heroes.
In 'Hero Type' by Barry Lyga, Kevin goes from favorite son to outcast overnight when he stops the attack on the town sweetheart Leah. Everyone in Brookdale loves him and the mayor of the town practically gives him a car. The car is fine, but the mayor slaps on two "Support Our Troops" ribbons to the back of the trunk. When Kevin arrives at home, his father orders him to remove the ribbons from the vehicle. Kevin obeys without question and is caught be reporters as he tosses the magnets into the garbage. When asked why he did it, Kevin decides not to blame his father, but to take a stand. The simple act of throwing away the magnets goes from Kevin honoring his father into an experiment in free speech.
'Hero Type' is a conundrum of a story, teetering on the edge between poingant and annoying. I feel that it will be more readable as we move away from the era of ribbon magnets and flag pins...whenever that might be. This book would be great for a teen discussion group, but I think it would take a teacher with a lot of experience and guts to use this book. Not because there is anything racy, but because it is an argument that is being debated by adults as well as teens. The free speech debate is never easy but this book would be a great tool for someone teaching about the first amendment and why the debate continues today. It is obvious which side Lyga comes down on, and since I agreed with his attitude, I found the book enjoyable. But someone that does not agree with him might find this story unreadable.
But really, the story of the free speech debate is only a subplot to the story of Kevin and his run in with Leah in the alley, along with his strained relationship between his estranged family members. Kevin struggles with the idea that he would ever be considered a "hero" due to personal issues he has dealt with over the past year.
'Hero Type' was a very intriguing read, the kind of book you want to read with a friend so you can discuss it right away. You might not agree with everything Kevin says or does, but he makes some very good points about free speech, America, and how we treat our heroes.
elvenavari's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book by Lyga that took me forever to get into. Man though, once I did it really clicked. I wish this book had been out when I was in high school going through something very similar to Kevin. I could have used the arguments about free speech and saying the pledge. I was in JROTC and to not say the pledge was downright abominable to some. I really enjoyed how Kevin grew from the beginning to the end, it really gave the book a sense of completion.
clarkco's review
4.0
Takes on free speech/flag burning/pledge of alleigance concept in an entertaining way.