Alan Gratz does it again. I always suggest his books to my struggling readers and my reluctant ones. Gratz is good at bringing likeable characters into historical settings. This one takes place around the devastating events at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Our two main characters find themselves in the middle of the Japanese attack that early morning, December 7, 1941. So much detail and things I hadn't even thought of for that historical attack. A must-read for Gratz fans.

I was so excited and thankful to get a copy of this book from NetGalley and Scholastic. I have been a huge Alan Gratz fan and as a middle school reading teacher I recommend his books for history assignments all the time. He is a mastermind of weaving historical facts into a story with wonderful characters and this is another work of art. Pearl Harbor and the horrific situations that took place on that fateful day are woven into two brave and courageous boys. But not only does it tell of that fateful day but also the actions that were done to Japanese Americans because of it all.

Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor is Alan Gratz's latest historical fiction masterpiece, immersing readers in the captivating tale of two friends, Frank and Stanley. With their fathers stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the boys share dreams of becoming comic book creators while the world is engulfed in the turmoil of World War II.

Everything changes on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor falls under a devastating attack. The boys swiftly grasp that the war has reached their doorstep, compelling them to seek safety and adapt to a world turned upside down. In this harrowing backdrop, they come to realize that their once-familiar reality has been irrevocably transformed.

Adding a profound layer to the narrative, Stanley's mother, of Japanese American heritage, faces immediate discrimination and prejudice. Gratz adeptly addresses the complexities of their situation, highlighting the unjust treatment endured by Japanese Americans during this period.

Gratz's Heroes brilliantly fills a literary void, offering readers a poignant exploration of the Pearl Harbor attack—an event often underrepresented in historical fiction. With his signature storytelling prowess, Gratz weaves a tale of bravery and resilience that is sure to captivate and inspire readers of all ages.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book delivered in exactly the way I expect an Alan Gratz book to deliver. This is action packed, historical fiction, that is not afraid to get dark and gritty, even when the target audience is under the age of 15. When reading historical fiction about a major event, it can feel like the exposition is too slow (hurry up and get to the good stuff) but the character development was just right., and truly necessary to feel how the attack at Pearl Harbor affected the characters.
Most unexpected was the character of Stanley, the half-Japanese best friend. A sequel doesn't seem like Alan Gratz's style, but I would drop everything to read more about Stanley. Without Stanley, the main character, Frank, would probably be unlikable. Stanley balanced the whole story and gave the narrative of Pearl Harbor the bite I didn't know I'd find here.
4.5/5. Recommending to every reader looking for war fiction.

A middle grade historical fiction action packed book from cover to cover. Alan Gratz has nailed this one on the head. I am excited to share this with the students

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this middle grade title.

Unlike many of Alan Gratz's books, this is straight historical fiction, with really no parallel contemporary story line. This one is action packed from start to finish, and my students who like Gratz will love this one. I really enjoyed it and think this will be another hit for this author who knows exactly how to grab a middle grader reader.

Alan Gratz does it again! His novels just get better and better. I love learning about historical events from the eyes of characters who are younger. There’s just a certain truth that they are able to bring to the events that an adults eyes can not.

I have read several of Alan Gratz books and really enjoyed this one. It transports you back and put you in the action of Pearl Harbor. This book has a lot of possible discussion points. I loved the comic book at the end. It wrapped up the book in an interesting way. This is a definite must read!!

I haven’t read an Alan Gratz book I didn’t like, but this one has been my favorite. So many things to discuss with students such as racism in the past, bullying, overcoming fear, friendship, etc. Not to mention how wonderfully it was written. I’ve already started suggesting this book to several students already and will purchase for my classroom library.

This book was incredible. Gratz always does such an amazing job of transporting readers into his story, and "Heroes" is no different. He paints an elaborate picture of what it would have been like to be in Pearl Harbor during the attacks. The main character in this book has what we would now recognize as an anxiety disorder, and he describes what it is like to feel this intense anxiety very well. The main character's best friend is Japanese American, and Gratz uses his point of view to explain how bad things were for these people in the US after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

I always enjoy reading Alan Gratz’s books and Heroes is no exception. It was a great read about a momentous event in history. I’m excited to add this to my classroom library because I know that many students will enjoy it too.

I will read any book from Alan Gratz. The way the storylines keeps the reader interested. Gratz weaves a compelling narrative through the eyes of diverse characters caught in the tumultuous waves of history. Amidst this setting Gratz masterfully combines meticulous research with vivid storytelling, creating a gripping tale that immerses readers in the era's atmosphere. Heroes a must-read for historical fiction fans, offering a fresh perspective on a momentous event.

Another great historical fiction by Gratz.

Two best friends who spend their days writing comic books about superheroes soon end up living the life of their books.

Follow these two friends as they end up in the middle of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, deal with the racism of Japanese Americans that follows, and work to keep a friendship alive.

Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.

I am a huge fan of Alan Gratz, so when I saw he was coming out with a WWII book for kids, I knew I wanted to read it!

This book follows two best friends, both of their dad's are in the military, stationed at Pearl Harbor, and they are neighbors on base.

This is a story about bravery and doing the right thing. It's also a story about history and the truth of the past. Racism, microagressions, and being a Japanese American during the second world war.

One day, they are just two boys who write comic books and enjoy each other's company. The next, they are making life and death decisions amidst the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The after is different for each of them, and the people on the island. Many lives are lost and the boys both witnessed the attack first hand as they fled for their lives and attempted to save others.

What is it like being Japanese American right after your country and home has been attacked by the Japanese? When you look like the enemy and even people who have known you all your life are suspicious of you?

Read this if you like:
-History
-WWII books
-Books about friendship
-Books about bravery and courage
-Or want to teach your kids about the attack on Pearl Harbor

Thanks to netgalley and Scholastic for an eARC copy to review.

Another incredible book by Alan Gratz. Readers will understand the events that took place at Pearl Harbor in 1941. They will see how the military and civilians worked together to help survivors. Readers will also see how Japanese Americans faced persecution following the tragedy. This is a phenomenal book that MG readers and beyond will have a hard time putting down. Readers will connect immediately to the main characters and will root for them as they try to not only survive, but help others. I highly recommend this book for fifth graders and beyond!

This book was the Alan Gratz book I've been looking for. A tight focus on one story, one set of characters made this an enjoyable read. The last title by him I liked this bush was Refugee.

Alan Gratz creates another winning novel- this one is set during Pearl Harbor. Two friends find themselves right in the middle of the attack on the United States by Japan. I recommend this book for middle school age and up.

Fist bump to Alan Gratz for filling a hole in my historical fiction collection. I've been waiting for a good Pearl Harbor book for a long time, and when I saw Alan Gratz was the one delivering I was beyond thrilled.

The story begins with two best friends navigating their motorboat back to Ford Island military base where their families are stationed. Both fathers are military pilots. Stanley is Japanese American. Frank is white. Both boys love comics and superheros, an interest they come back to again and again throughout the story. Part of Frank's fascination with superheros relates to his fear of just about everything, something he's going to face repeatedly as he becomes caught up in the chaos of the Japanese bombing on the morning of January 7, 1941. It's the same morning Frank and Stanley happen to be getting a personal tour of the battleship USS Utah.

When the planes arrive, most people assume it's a military drill. Most men have just awakened and the artillery guns are covered. No one is prepared. The Utah is one of the first ships hit. Frank and Stanley must abandon ship and swim back to Ford island. It's one intense scene after another as they find their fathers at the airfield, check on their homes, take refuge in a bunker and risk their lives crossing the harbor, still under attack, to get a wounded sailor to the hospital on the main island. Though an American citizen, just like Frank, Stanley must face a new reality of racism because of his Japanese ancestry.

I will never tire of Alan Gratz. Will never stop anticipating his next story. I hope he never deviates from historical fiction, because kids want to know this stuff. He's helping to create a generation of kids who crave an understanding of the past. And it's not just boys. I have lots of girls reading his books. They, and I, are so grateful.

Alan Gratz does it again! Fast paced, action packed, characters with rich, developing stories... another hit! My readers will love this newest Historical Fiction read. Loved Stanley's character and feel like this would give students more of an understanding of what others might be feeling when a person associated with us, by race or beliefs, makes choices that then affect others opinions of us. A great "sliding glass door" book to develop empathetic young readers as well as provide a window into a period of history.

A nice story that told about a boy who had a Japanese American friend during the time of Pearl Harbor. It tells about the two boys dream of making a superhero.
My son, who read the story, also liked how they watched out for each other during the battle.
He feels that this book would appeal to other boys because of the fact that there are some gruesome scenes and also the male friendship propelling the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to preview this book.