The Best Man by Richard Peck

Archer Magill has three heroes in his life -- his architect grandpa, his car remodeler dad, and his cool Uncle Paul.  Then during his fifth grade year he meets his fourth hero -- teacher Mr. McLeod.  That's the year his class and teacher become celebrities.  That's the year his life starts to change in big ways and he'll need all four of those heroes to help him through.

This is a simple everyday story of a boy's life.  It is a great book for boys as it focuses on the wonderful role models and heroes he has in his life.  I would highly recommend this chapter book for all boys to read.

Every Hero Has a Story: Picture Book Edition

This summer's reading theme is "Every Hero Has a Story".  So we came up with a display of picture books featuring heroic characters . . . .

Magnus at the Fire by Jennifer Armstrong
When the Broadway Fire House acquires a motorized fire engine, Magnus the fire horse is not ready to retire.

Rescue Bunnies by Doreen Cronin
Newbie struggles to pass her field test to become a full-fledged Rescue Bunny.

The Whispering Town by Jennifer Elvgren
In Denmark during World War II, young Annet, her parents, and their neighbors help a Jewish family hide from Nazi soldiers until it is safe for them to leave Annet's basement.

Police Cat by Enid Hinkes
Noodles the cat takes his responsibilities very seriously, keeping the police station and neighborhood safe and free from rats, but he is not an official member of the police department until after he performs a heroic rescue.

Tsunami by Kimiko Kajikawa
A wealthy man in a Japanese village, who everyone calls Ojiisan, which means grandfather, sets fire to his rice fields to warn the innocent people of an approaching tsunami.

Blizzard by John Rocco
After a massive blizzard, a boy becomes a hero when he manages to walk to the local store and bring supplies back to his neighborhood which has been snowed in for days. Based on the author's childhood experiencer.


More Stories --
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon
The Babe & I by David A. Adler
The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers
Brief Thief by Michael Escoffier
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
Dinosaur Rescue by Penny Dale
Elecopter by Michael Slack
Epossamondas Saves the Day by Coleen Salley
Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi
Here Comes Firefighter Hippo by Jonathan London
Hero Cat by Eileen Spinelli
I'm Brave! by Kate McMullan
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea
Little Tug by Stephen Savage
Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer
Pigs to the Rescue by John Himmelman
Police Officers on  Patrol by K.R. Hamilton
Quest by Aaron Becker
Red Truck by K.R. Hamilton
Rosa by Nikki Giovanni
Souperchicken by Mary Jane Auch
Swift by Robert J. Blake
Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester
This is the Firefighter by Laura Godwin


Check out these and other heroic stories on display at the Arnold Branch through July 24, 2015.