Friday 7 February 2014

Hero by Sarah Lean ~ review and giveaway

Hero is the latest book by the author Sarah Lean and it tells the story of 'a little dog with the heart of a lion' named Jack Pepper. 


Most suited to youngsters aged around 7-12, Hero is a sweet tale with a focus on courage and helpfulness. With nearly 300 pages this is a proper book for a fairly confident reader, but the language used and format are nice and gentle, so it's not beyond most 8 year olds who enjoy reading.


Although you'd perhaps make the initial assumption that a book about a dog would be more girlish, this book doesn't favour either boys or girls in my opinion. It's an emotional story which will bring a lump to the throat of most readers, but the lead role is a boy named Leo.

Hero has lots of interesting characters who are introduced quite slowly into the story - boys, girls, adults and canine. It also features interesting topics that encourage the reader to find out more and explore a bit - Jupiter, Roman Centurians, even baking. It doesn't condescend, but it doesn't stretch too far. I've read some to my 5 1/2 year old, and I've paused and explained at times, but he's not given up, he's learnt.


Sarah Lean is also contributing to this year's World Book Day on 6th March, with a release called Jack Pepper, which is available to buy for £1 or with your World Book Day token from school. Jack Pepper is a prequel to Hero, a little add-on story which fits into the series nicely, but can also be read on it's own.

Hero is released on February 27th 2014, with a recommended retail price of £6.99 and is currently available to pre-order on Amazon for £5.80.

HarperCollins have kindly offered a copy of Hero as a prize for one of my readers. Entry is by rafflecopter below.  The first entry is mandatory and the answer needs to be posted as a comment on this page, and you can earn additional entries by completing extra tasks. UK entries only please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


We were sent a copy of Hero by Sarah Lean for review.

35 comments:

  1. Ahhh I just think of the Littlest Hobo when I think of animal heros - maybe I am showing my age but that doggy still melts my heart when I think of him and the music still makes me cry!

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  2. betty bob after my nana and grandad - my heroes

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  3. i also love loved the littlest hobo and lassie

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  4. echo the wonder dog...named after the first dog all of my own

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  5. Boom Boom - it's a nickname for my daughter and we love it!

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  6. Is Super Dog a little obvious?!what about Hero Horse?!

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  7. Friend. Can't think of a better super hero strength

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  8. Super Monkey! I'd be able to swing away super fast

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  9. sparkles, and I would have magical disappearing powers!

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  10. Would have to be a super horse called neighalot

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  11. Deetamutt, crime fighting dalmation with a sweetness for fairy cakes!

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  12. Lassie because it reminds me of being a little girl & thinking Lassie could do anything

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  13. The Magnificent Minnie..after our cat!

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  14. Geoffrey the Cat. He sounds innocuous enough but when the time comes to save the world he knows just what to do...

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  15. Super bob because Bob the builder was my hero when I was a young boy.

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  16. Toby the terrific because I have a great dog and he's called toby x

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  17. Scruffy the Nasty Cat after my Mum's cat. He's evil! Hehe

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  18. My son loves his Nana's cat so it would have to be called Daisy 'danger' Mae after her :)

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  19. benny the bouncing beagle - because that's what he does lol

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  20. lizzie the lazy cat...just sleeps all day!

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  21. my son said an elephant that's a pirate called captain tusks

    kay panayi

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  22. Super Duper Dog. He'd be like the Littlest Hobo

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  23. Samson. As he would have Super Strength.

    Rachel Craig

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  24. Snuggles the cat and he would have the power to sleep for hours on end.

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  25. sleepy - the cat so that i can sleep all day

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  26. Sneaky the budgie... With the ability to go unseen in any situation

    Kel Ellen Hirst

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  27. Rolybear Shes my dog and shes a real hero

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  28. I always remember Gentle Ben from my childhood.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I read every one and try my best to reply!