BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Heroes and She-roes: Poems of Amazing and Everyday Heroes. Ill. Jim Cooke. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780803729254

PLOT SUMMARY:

In this collection of 21 poems, both the well known and the obscure are given tribute. Each poem is followed with a brief description of the hero that is being written about. Heroes range from “elementary school teacher” to Gandhi to Rosa Parks. Bright, colorful illustrations accompany each poem.

CRITICAL SUMMARY:

The heroes that are celebrated in this collection of poems cover a broad and diverse range of people and even animals. The poems vary in length from four lines to four paragraphs. All the poems are easy to read and the message being delivered about the hero is clear. The brief explanations after each poem give a little more background on each person or event that I found very helpful. These poems all carry a message about doing good for others. Many of the heroes showed true courage and bravery, as in the “Unknown Rebel” who stood in front of an army tank in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. There was even a tribute to The Wonder Dog” named Togo who led a pack of sled dogs in Alaska to bring medicine to children during a diphtheria outbreak.

Most memorable though is the author’s note at the end of the book in which he writes thoughtfully about an elementary school janitor who went above and beyond his duties to help make the school a happy and harmonious setting.

The illustrations are oil paint on illustration board and are quite colorful and vibrant. Each person is realistically depicted.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

School Library Journal: This is an important title that will inspire young people and perhaps encourage them to look more deeply into the lives of others as well as their own.

Booklist: This is an entertaining collection, however, and a brief biographical note about each subject included with each supplies a few additional, interesting details.

CONNECTIONS:

• Have discussion about the heroes in everyday life, and then have children write their own poems about a hero in their life.

• For other J. Patrick Lewis books of poetry try:

Lewis, J. Patrick. Monumental Verses. ISBN: 9780792271352

Lewis, J. Patrick. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme. ISBN: 9780803725799