MG Realistic review of We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan

We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan
Format:  Paperback ARC
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages:  241
Publishing:  February 25th, 2020
Source:  Publisher via Blue Slip Media in exchange for an honest review

Opening Line: "Hank had things totally under control until he actually held up his brand new Survival 4000 Fire Striker with Compass and Whistle--the one he got for his birthday, the one that he was only supposed to take camping--to Mrs. Vera's book."  

Fourth-grader Hank Hudson is upset with his teacher Mrs. Vera because she's been reading his class this "495-page torture device" about a boy trying to escape from the Nazis.  Hank really identifies with the boy in the story's sadness, he doesn't like how he feels whenever Mrs. Vera reads it.  To prevent himself from getting sad, Hank tries to get rid of the book by setting it on fire in the boy's bathroom.  New girl, Maisie sees Hank sneaking back into line after he sets the sprinkler system off in school and is inspired by Hank's boldness in burning the book.  He might just be the kind of friend she's been looking for.  One day while Hank is visiting Maisie's house, she takes him next door to play with her neighbor Mr. Jorgensen's dog, Booler.  Maisie tells Hank that Booler is tied to a tree all day, which according to Mr. Jorgensen is because Booler has seizures and that's the only way he knows how to keep him safe.  But Maisie feels it's inhumane to treat Booler this way and because Hank had the guts to burn a book at school, she now wants Hank to help her rescue Booler.  

This is a darling story of two kids who want nothing more than to save the dog next door.  Hank is an endearing main character.  He is sensitive, kind and empathetic.  When he's overwhelmed, due to his autism,  he takes out the rocks he carries in his pocket and distracts himself by listing off cool facts about each rock.  He is clever and sweet.  Hank has strong feelings and up til now, he's been able to use his strategies at school fairly well.  When he meets Maisie, Hank is very excited about her showing an interest in being friends with him.  Most of his childhood friends moved along to form new friendships and Maisie is the first person he's had anything in common with for a long time.  She's special because not only does she like acting out the Jungle Book, her parents are even geologists and Hank loves collecting rocks.  I really love the way that Hank is portrayed in the story, it's not a story about him being autistic or being bullied, it's an uplifting story with kids who are easy to relate to.   

Hank and Maisie's friendship is also wonderfully depicted.  They do have their share of difficult moments and tests to their friendship but eventually resolve their differences.  Maisie is such a force, strong-willed and determined.   She strikes me as inquisitive and tenacious, when there is something that she really wants, she usually gets it.  What she really wanted was to save Booler from being tied to a tree all day.  She wasn't going to give up, even when Hank starts to think that some of the things she's asking him to do might be wrong, even after they both get into trouble.   The actions they took, from calling 911 to report Mr. Jorgensen for being mean to his dog to writing a letter to their parents arguing the legal reasons for keeping Booler, to eventually taking the dog and running away, all seemed like real things that children of this age group might try.  Even though I sometimes was disappointed with Maisie's methods, especially when she used Hank's feelings and emotions to get him to go along with her plans, her heart always seemed to be in the right place and her actions did seem to come from a deep caring for Booler.    

I also really adored Hank's parents and the lovely interactions they had with him.  They were caring, kind and encouraging.  There were some especially difficult conversations that they had with him about friendship.  Their conversation felt real and especially thoughtful of Hank's feelings.  Like when they suspected Maisie was taking advantage of Hank by playing into his empathy and sadness over Booler's situation, they explained how true friends don't make you change who you are, and friends also do things that you want to do.  There were some valuable messages in here about what makes for a true friend.  No one wants to feel like they're being taken advantage of and Hank gets very upset with his parents because they're putting doubt into his mind about Maisie.  Again, these situations felt so real, full of the potential emotions one would have when we start questioning everything you think you know about your friend.   Hanks struggles to keep his emotions in check, to use his strategies will help children gain insight or provide a realistic glimpse into the life, feelings, and emotions of a child with autism.  Such a heartwarming story with characters that are easily relatable and a wonderfully positive message that as Hank would say "different isn't less. "