He Was My Hero, Too - Book Review


He Was My Hero, Too
by Jerald Levon Hoover

Ignorance leads us to make poor decisions. That’s why we must acquire a certain degree of knowledge to equip us through life. In his novel, He Was My Hero, Too, Jerald Hoover emphasizes that the only way to rise above a miserable life is to be educated.

He Was My Hero, Too is the second book of Hoover’s “The Hero Book Series”. In this installment, the author opens the story with Kirby’s visit to Simon’s office in Mount Vernon. After a quick exchange of pleasantries, Kirby comments on the city’s deteriorating condition. He compares it with the Mount Vernon he once knew. Kirby specifically points out that the once wholesome suburban town deteriorates into a place of neglect, disregard for life, and hopelessness. To this, however, Simon counters. He admits that although things have changed, not everything is for the worse. He cites himself as one example who has improved his life.

Their conversation then drifts to the incident that happened twelve years prior. Full of emotion, Kirby laments over the injustice done to his best friend, Bennett. Apparently, he is still unable to shake off from his mind the tragic day. His friend was shot dead in broad daylight in 1973 and yet no one is held responsible. Because of this, Kirby tells Simon that he comes back to find the killer.

Compounding Kirby’s intention to seek justice for Bennett is his disgust of the new mayor and his crumbling marriage. Follow Kirby’s story back in Mount Vernon and his relationship with Simon.

The Book and the Author

Just like the first installment of The Hero Book Series, He Was My Hero, Too is more than fiction. Its story is based on real events. The social evils of drugs, teenage pregnancy, and heinous crimes actually happen in many societies. Also, the political and justice system presented in the story are not unfamiliar either.

What I like the most in He Was My Hero, Too is the author’s focus on putting his message across. Despite the social and political situations presented in the story, Hoover insists on one important matter. He emphasizes that the key to rising above the evils of society is education. Through Simon’s character, he exhorts the people to educate themselves for a better life. He says,
“Education is the key that unlocks the door to so many opportunities”.
Moreover, I commend Hoover’s consistent campaign against drugs, unprotected sex, sex outside marriage, and the dreaded AIDS. But above all, he emphasizes that abstinence is the best protection to avoid these problems.

Just a word of warning, though: at the end of this book, you’ll realize you want to read more. It’s not a matter of loose ends untied. Rather, the story in He Was My Hero, Too is so engaging. You’ll want to know more about the people and the events. But, I guess the author intentionally leaves it that way so the reader may crave for the next book.

He Was My Hero, Too: The Technical Side

I noticed a handful of grammatical errors in the book. But, they’re negligible and don’t affect the general flow of the story. Therefore, I give He Was My Hero, Too a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. And, I recommend this book to readers 12 years old and above. I also suggest teachers use it as a reference material for their students. Likewise, community organizations may find this book useful in their social and health outreach programs.

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