Hero-Type by Barry Lyga(Click on the cover to see which libraries own it.)
SUMMARY: Everyone is treating Kevin as a hero because he was in the right place at the right time and saved a girl from being murdered. Only Kevin knows the real reason why he was there to save her. Things get even more complicated when Kevin is seen removing two patriotic “Support the Troops” ribbons from his car bumper. Now the town that lauded him as a hero turns on him, calling him unpatriotic. Kevin, who hadn't thought much about it up to then, becomes politcially engaged, suddenly questioning what exactly supporting the troops or even saying the pledge of allegiance every day means. Looking for the depth behind the hype, Kevin wrestles with what it really means to be a hero.
OPINION: This book takes place in the same town as Lyga's other books (Fanboy and Goth Girl; Boy Toy), and a few the characters from those stories make an cameo in this one, which I enjoyed. What I always appreciate about Barry Lyga's writing is the complexity of his characters. Kevin cannot be easily categorized as a hero, or a nerd, or an unpatriotic American, even though he gets labeled as such throughout the story. The reasons for Kevin's behavior are a believable combination of personal, family, and social issues. Kevin's group of friends, the Fools, add some humor to the story with their escapades as the self-appointed town jesters, but their Foolishness also sharpens Kevin's resolve to get to the heart of the issues. If you are already a fan of Barry Lyga, then look for this book at the library. And if you like stories that tackle social issues like Deadline by Chris Crutcher and the Larry books by Janet Tashijan, give this one a try!
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