- Hardcover: 144 pages
- Publisher: Red Deer Press; 1 edition (May 25 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0889953007
- ISBN-13: 978-0889953000
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 15 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 318 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#451,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #49 in Books > Teens > Social Issues > Suicide > Fiction
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9–While Heck, a talented artist and cartoonist, is spending the evening with his best friend, his single mom goes into "hypertime," a place where she never has to assume adult responsibilities. Once again, the 13-year-old assumes his role as superhero. Unfortunately, the causes of his mother's breakdown are beyond his control; she's lost her waitress job and they've been evicted from their apartment. He searches for her for three days, trying to do the Good Deeds that he hopes will allow him to find her. He struggles with a severe toothache, sleeps in a car, and tries to earn money for food. The climax comes after Heck befriends 18-year-old Marion Ewald, who is determined to release the "pocket creatures" that he thinks live in his jacket to their own planet. After the older boy jumps to his death, Heck finds his mother in the hospital and reminds her that he is not a superhero but a boy who also needs help. The help begins to come. Heck is a likable, resourceful character, trying to do the right thing in almost untenable situations. Secondary characters are also well developed. Most of the adults are supportive, willing to help, though largely uninformed. Most notable is the depiction of Heck's art teacher, who recognizes the boy's talent as well as his problems and provides subtle, sympathetic support. Credible characters are placed in recognizable situations to create a poignant, fast-paced, and believable look at homelessness, mental illness, and the way one boy copes with their impact.–Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Gr. 7-9. When life stops making sense, 13-year-old Heck retreats into his drawings. A talented artist, he creates powerful superheroes that save the world with one good deed--just like Heck wants to be able to do. However, when his mother, who is prone to depression, disappears, leaving him homeless, penniless, and with an intense toothache, Heck must face the world in a way he never has before--truthfully. Strong supporting characters such as best friend Spence and Marion, an older, mentally ill teenage boy whom Heck befriends, add depth to this engrossing, evocative novel that spans and intimately details Heck's struggle to survive on the streets in a world that isn't as clearly defined as that of his beloved superheroes. Some situations (Heck's experience with a street drug, for example, and Marion's suicide) are more appropriate for mature readers, and the ending feels somewhat rushed. But Heck is a well-drawn, sympathetic protagonist who learns that compassion is a superpower, and that asking for help can be the most heroic act of all. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holy Homeless, Batman!,
This review is from: Heck Superhero (Hardcover)
When folks try to help people down and out, they often bring a whole lot of pity to feast upon. Sometimes we just need the bread. HECK, SUPERHERO is one of those fabulous books, like FLY AWAY HOME, the picture book by Eve Bunting, that gets it right. Heck, like many folks, wants to contribute. Homeless folks are usually not asked, nor expected to be contributing members of society. This lack of expectation usually forces homeless people into hiding and denying an essential fact of daily life. Pity never tastes good and generally leads to indigestion, the indigestion of illness, physical and mental, which induces further denial, more problems, ... until our bones are sucked dry. Feast on this fabulous book, my personal book of the year and one of my all time favorites! Bon appetit!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heck Superhero,
By
This review is from: Heck Superhero (Hardcover)
There is nothing worse then a painful tooth, it changes your outlook and perception in life if you are in constant pain. Heck is in such a situation, but not only does he has holes in his teeth, but is also without shelter, food or family. His mother is unable to cope due to depressive illness and Heck has to fend for himself. Drawing superheroes is a method that Heck uses to escape from his life, but he soon finds out he has to face reality. Heck lives on the street and faces drug use, stealing, breaking and entering an art studio and has contact with numerous adults who just do not see the whole picture and therefore do not help him.It is a great book and I found it sad, but Heck is one of those rare kids who are able to eventually figure things out.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too,
By TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Heck Superhero (Hardcover)
Heck's mom is lost. She disappeared after they were locked out of their apartment because she couldn't pay the rent. Heck's used to taking care of himself, but what will happen to his small, fragile mother? Who will take care of her?Heck has to find her before she ends up in another dimension, one where she doesn't exist at all. The problem is, he's still in his flat stage. It's how all superheroes start out, but Heck is running short on time, so he has to perform the Good Deed that will get he and his mother topworld. The Good Deed is hard to do when you've been sleeping in a car, you have no money, and your tooth aches so badly that you can't breathe without feeling stabs of pain. But, Heck is determined to find a way to save his mom -- if he didn't, what kind of superhero would he be? Heck is a fabulous character, one who is rich in imagination and heart! Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince
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