Hero

From the author of A Dog Called Homeless, winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, comes an action-filled adventure about friendship, imagination, and what it means to be a hero, perfect for fans of classic dog and friendship stories like Because of Winn-Dixie and Shiloh.

The short length makes Hero a great pick for reluctant readers and readers who have just graduated from chapter books, but its themes of bullying and finding courage to stand up for what's right mean the story is meaty enough for more advanced readers, too.

Leo is invincible when he's pretending to be a gladiator in his imagination, but in real life, he struggles to make friends—unless you count his neighbor's little dog, Jack Pepper. So Leo is thrilled when the cool kids invite him to hang out, even though they sometimes pressure him to do mean things.

When Leo accidentally does something that makes the whole town think he's a hero, he rolls with it—it feels nice to be celebrated, even if it's a lie. But when Jack Pepper needs Leo's help, can Leo find it in himself to be a genuine hero?

• A Classic Dog Story: Fans of books like Because of Winn-Dixie and Shiloh will love the powerful bond between a lonely boy and Jack Pepper, the small, loyal dog who needs a true hero.
• Finding Courage: In his imagination, Leo is a fearless gladiator. But when faced with real-life bullies and tough choices, he must discover what it truly means to be brave.
• A Powerful Moral Dilemma: After a lie makes the whole town see him as a hero, Leo loves the attention. But living with the secret becomes harder than telling the truth, especially when his new reputation is put to the test.
• Perfect for Reluctant Readers: With a fast-paced plot and accessible writing, this action-filled adventure is an ideal choice for middle grade readers who have just graduated from chapter books.

Leo is a dreamer.

It's easy to feel brave when he's pretending to be a gladiator, battling ferocious beasts. But in real life, Leo feels like he never accomplishes anything—he can't even seem to make more than two friends, and one of those is his neighbor's little white dog, Jack Pepper.

Then, one day at school, Leo's imagination gets him in trouble, and suddenly some new friends are asking him to join them. Leo goes along, even though it means telling lies and making mischief. When things get out of hand and Jack Pepper saves Leo from his own misadventures, Leo's family and neighbors think Leo saved the dog. Leo revels in being the hero—it feels so good, even if it's a lie. But when Jack Pepper is really in danger, can Leo find the strength in himself to be the hero everyone already thinks he is?

From award-winning author Sarah Lean comes a heartwarming tale about a friendship between a boy and a dog, the power of telling the truth, and the extraordinary capacity of imagination to help you be yourself.

Praise for Schneider Family Book Award-winning A Dog Called Homeless: “Ever so gently, this fine debut effort explores the power of human kindness as Cally and her father find effective ways to cope with their loss.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Praise for Sarah Lean’s A Dog Called Homeless: “This beautifully written, compelling debut offers an insightful portrayal of grief and healing. Cally is a deeply drawn protagonist, whose first-person account eloquently relays poignant and powerfully affecting moments. Vivid supporting characters add depth, including spirited, sensitive Sam, who not only embodies the meaning of friendship and family, but reinforces the value of connection, communication, and compassion in bringing hearts and lives together.” - Booklist (starred review)

Praise for Sarah Lean’s A Dog Called Homeless: “Truly a lesson in the power of love and loss, this story shows that learning how to listen is more important than what’s being said. This is a thought-provoking story that will speak to readers of all ages.” - School Library Journal

Praise for Sarah Lean’s A Dog Called Homeless: “Lean’s first novel stands out for its clean and evocative prose. [...] Readers drawn to stories of adversity will find this one rewarding, and all readers should look forward to Lean’s next novel.” - The Horn Book

“A Dog Called Homeless is a tender story of heartache and hope, doubt and courage, silence and song. Sarah Lean’s graceful, miraculous writing will have you weeping one moment and rejoicing the next. A luminous debut.” - Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan

Praise for Sarah Lean’s A Hundred Horses: “Lean’s imagination runs wild, but her descriptions of a girl who rediscovers hope and wholeness remain firmly rooted in truth.” - New York Times Book Review

“Lean has written a charming, affecting story of a boy whose love for a dog challenges him to find the best in himself. Ingeniously plotted and populated with appealing characters—including, of course, a lovable canine—this is a treat for dog-lovers and would-be heroes alike.” - ALA Booklist

“Tightly structured and plotted, the novel’s every element and development move the story forward. A compelling, thought-provoking story about the fights and brave acts-big and small, acclaimed and unattributed-that define us.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Lean has crafted a touching portrait of a good-hearted, loyal, and boundlessly imaginative boy who makes some realistic missteps in his efforts to succeed in the ‘real world.’” - Publishers Weekly

Praise for A Dog Called Homeless: “Sarah Lean has given us a wonderful story about the power of friendship, promises made, words and silence, and the love of one very big dog. This perceptive and poignant story is a must-read for anyone who has lost something they loved—in other words, everyone!” - Bobbie Pyron, award-winning author of A Dog’s Way Home

“A Dog Called Homeless is a rare gem of a novel. Beautifully crafted, it hums with sensitvitiy and invites readers to consider the depths and nuances of communication and connectedness. Sarah Lean masters a satisfying read that culminates with reveals that made my heart swell a couple of times over. Well done!” - Leslie Connor, award-winning author of WAITING FOR NORMAL

Praise for A Hundred Horses: “Friendship, self-discovery, a dreamlike middle-of-the-night horseback ride, and a satisfying ending make for certain reader appeal.” - Booklist (starred review)

Praise for A Hundred Horses: “The author intertwines the characters and story line with finesse, keeping readers guessing about Angel’s identity and the appearance of the hundredth horse until the end of the evenly paced plot. A touch of magic delivers a satisfying and positive conclusion.” - School Library Journal

Praise for A Hundred Horses: “Lean effortlessly stitches a moving tale right to the very edge of fantasy without ever tearing the satisfying believability of her story. - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Sarah Lean’s A Hundred Horses:“Friendship, self-discovery, a dreamlike middle-of-the-night horseback ride, and a satisfying ending make for certain reader appeal.” - Booklist (starred review)