Heroes Like Us: Two Stories: The Day We Met the Queen; The Great Food Bank Heist by Onjali Q Ra�f
Published by Delacorte Press on November 15, 2022
ISBN: 0593488199
Pages: 176
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Heroes Like Us by Onjali Q. Rauf is a book made up of two novellas that deal with important social issues in a simple and kid-friendly way. The first story, “The Day We Met the Queen,” is a sequel to the “Boy in the Back of the Class,” which is about a student who is also a Syrian refugee. Readers do not need to have read that story to understand and enjoy this one. In this installment, a group of young friends prepare to meet the Queen of England, but they face bullying and harassment from people who don’t believe England should support refugees. As a result, the kids have to figure out a way to get by the protestors and get to Buckingham Palace on time!

The second story, “The Great Food Bank Heist,” follows a different group of friends who are trying to figure out who is stealing food from the Food Bank. They stealthily stake out the local grocery store, trying to catch the culprit. This story offers readers a glimpse into the struggles that hungry children and their families face on a daily basis. Both of these stories would be appropriate for students in grades 3-5, because while the stories raise awareness of important issues, they offer hope, and there is still enough action to keep readers interested. The author’s note at the end of the book provides factual information about refugees and food insecurity, encourages readers to ask questions, and mentions ways children can help.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library