Hero-Type Audiobook (Unabridged)

" I enjoyed this book--with reservations. It got extremely message-oriented and didactic and also crammed in A LOT of side issues and plots. Also, not sure if this book is as relevant as it was even before it got published... I did enjoy the fast pace, high-stakes that Lyga excels at. Not his best work, but if you are already a fan, you'll probably like it. "

" My least favorite of Barry Lyga's books, it still manages to end strong. "

" Lyga is a very talented writer of teen books. Loved the teen character and the whole story in this book. Very realistic and believable outcome. "

" When Kevin rescues a classmate from a serial killer, he's suddenly thrust into the small-town spotlight and hailed as a hero. But he doesn't feel like one, especially because he has a secret about why he was on the spot to save Leah in the first place. When the mayor buys him a car and slaps on some patriotic magnets, Kevin's father, who fought in Kuwait, makes him take them off. Caught by the school newspaper, Kevin is forced to defend his action, and gets embroiled in a debate about patriotism and free speech. "

" A happenstance hero quickly becomes a pariah in his town when he is caught on film removing "support our troops" ribbons from the used car he is buying with reward money. Kevin, riddled with bad skin, a dysfunctional family, and low confidence saves longtime crush Leah from a serial killer. He neither welcomes nor understands the sudden limelight, but he does become angry and motivated to stand up for his right not to have a ribbon on his car, even though it was his ex-military father who asked him to remove it, and he starts to question many of the so-called patriotic platitudes of modern American life, such as the Pledge of Allegiance. He finds himself pitted against one of the most popular and best looking guys at school in the debate that ensues. While Kevin is an interesting character and his Council of Fools friends provide some element of humor, the book does get strident and preachy, not so much for me, but I imagine it coming across that way to many of the teen audience. I'm all for kids examining the underpinings of WHY we do what we do and questioning the validity of acts like putting a magnet on our cars and thinking that soldiers serving overseas actually reap some kind of benefit. Like another of my favorite somewhat political YA books The Gospel According to Larry, this one will be a tough sell simply because so few teens appear to gravitate towards books with social and political messages. "

" Not much of a plot, really. "

" This book is perfect for librarians. It is all about freedom of speech and one teenager's struggle with it. A perfect way to introduce the first amendment, but may not be well received with more consevative folks who may agree with the anatagonist. "

" I thought this book was going to be lame, but it was actually surprisingly cool. Great storyline, realistic, nice voice. A well-done book. "

" This a hell of a book really good "

" Takes on free speech/flag burning/pledge of alleigance concept in an entertaining way. "

" Super awesome book! I thought it was totally cool that he was a Catholic (like me!) and that he finally went back to church and confessed all his sins. And his church has the same name as mine, Sacred Heart!! How cool is that?!? "

" Another realistic story about a "hero", who's just a slightly confused boy...about what it really means to be American or a patriot. and also whether stupid stuff teenage boys do when they're bored is really relevant social commentary. "

" Good points about freedom & free speech, as well as about boys & girls & obsession vs. love, but it had quite a bit of vulgarity in it. "

" Got this Arc... I loved how it took place in the same town as his others! I'm tempted to say "Hail, Fool." to my friends now... "

" Absolutely amazing! The arguments in the books rally made me think. "

" Couldn't finish this book. Was hoping for something different than a teenage diatribe.... "

" I think this is a great older Middle School/High School level read. There is a great discussion of Freedom of Speech in the book. As usual, I do not find Lyga's characters appealing but this is my favorite of his books so far. "

" loved it! loved it! loved it! "

" Kevin starts out as a hero, and then stuggles with his views of himself, guilt,secrets, his parents, and what it means to be patriotic. "

" Very Good book. Very emotional "

" After reading the first chapter I wondered if I would like this book. But after reading it, it really hooks you. It has some great themes like First Amendment and free speech. "

" SO GOOOOOOOD! "

" This is a good YA novel about what it means to be a hero, to love your country, to practice free speech and to fight against the odds. "

" I liked this book! It really turns the idea on hero ideal on it's head. "

" More Lyga brilliance. I love the exploration of what it really means to support our troops. Does a yellow-ribbon bumper sticker really show support? "

" Super awesome book! I thought it was totally cool that he was a Catholic (like me!) and that he finally went back to church and confessed all his sins. And his church has the same name as mine, Sacred Heart!! How cool is that?!? "

" A perfect book about freedom of speech from a teenage point of view! "

" I thought this book was going to be lame, but it was actually surprisingly cool. Great storyline, realistic, nice voice. A well-done book. "

" this book is very good. its very in tens it so good that people that dont like to read would read this book.it has very good detail.it allso exsplains the book very well.this book is for kids who like adventur and that get in trouble alot. "

" Interesting take on the Pledge of Allegiance and why we say it. Also liked the parts about Freedom of Speech. But I still abandoned it due to lack of interest in the characters. "