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HeroBy: Mike Lupica

Jack GrundmanReading-RochePeriod 35/13/12

MIKE LUPICA: BIOGRAPHY

Mike Lupica is a famous sports writer in America. He first started his writing career as a coverer for the New York Knicks. He was 23 when he started doing this job. He became the youngest ever at a New York paper in the New York Times. For the past 15 years, he has been a TV anchor for ESPN’S Sports Reporters. He even has his own program on ESPN2 called The Mike Lupica Show. In 1987, Mike began “The Sporting Life” column in Esquire Magazine. He has published many things in different papers. He even won the Jim Murray award in 2003 for the National Football Foundation. Mike has written many books with other people but he also has written many books by himself. Some of them include: Jump, Full Court, Dead air, and many, many more. He has so many New York Times Best Sellers for mostly all of his books. Mike Lupica has inspired people for many years.

SUMMARY

Zach Harriman is a 14 year old boy who lives in New York. One day, he comes back to his apartment and there are policemen waiting for him there. Zach’s father had died. Zach is never the same after his father’s death. One day, on a cool night, Zach sees a jogger jogging. He sees a man hiding in a bush. Zach stays in the joggers way and then he moves for the jogger. When Zach looks back at the bush, the man is gone. Kate, Zach’s friend, lives with Zach because Kate’s mom is the Harriman’s housemaid. Zach is desperate to go to his dad’s crash site. He finds no evidence at the crash site. Then, a man by the name of Mr. Herbert talks to Zach and tells him that he has magic inside him. Zach runs after the man and then finds himself at Central Park. His Uncle John tells Zach not to trust Mr. Herbert. After a day at Central Park, Zach comes home and on his laptop has a message that says “Trust no one”. He realizes later that Kate wrote that message. His mom is helping a senator named Senator Kerrigan. One day at a speech, a voice in Zach’s head says to look up. He then sees a person going to shoot the senator. Zach saves the senator from near disaster. Mr. Herbert gets hit with the bullet. Will Zach ever find the truth about his father’s death? Read to find out.

CHARACTERS

Main Character

Zach- main character, teenager, normal life till dad died.

Mom- helps Zach when dad dies, helps senator Kerrigan on his campaign

Kate- helps Zach when dad dies, teenager, Zach’s best friend.

Supporting Characters

Dad- dies in plane crash, helps the world and fight the bads.

Mr. Herbert- talks to Zach, trains him and tells him he has powers.

Senator Kerrigan- runs for president, Zach saves him.

PLOT

Introduction

Meet Zach and his family

Setting- New York City, Present

Rising Action

Zach’s dad is on a plane and he has just captured someone bad.

- When Zach comes home from Central Park, bad news.

Zach’s dad died. Zach is never same after dad’s death.

Kate and mom try to cheer Zach up.

Zach gets bullied less at school.

Zach’s mom is helping Senator Kerrigan with campaign

Mr. Herbert meets Zach at his dad’s crash site.

PLOT CONTINUED

Climax Zach finds out that Mr. Herbert is his grandpa.

Falling Action

Zach is at central Park listening to a speech.

A voice inside his head (his dad’s voice) says to look up

He looks up and sees a sniper. He then pushes Kerrigan out of the way and saves his life.

Mr. Herbert gets hit with the bullet. Mr. Herbert dies.

Conclusion

Kerrigan thanks Zach for saving his life.

Everyone is nicer to Zach and Zach decides to chase the Bads.

NEW VOCABULARY

1. suspicious- adj. arousing suspicion; inviting distrust. Pg.43

2. Faded- v. To lose brightness or loudness. Pg. 109

3. Beat- v. To mark or count. Pg. 114

4. Polishing- Made or naturally smooth or shiny. Pg. 128

5. Hoodie- n. Also a sweater; something like a sweater. Pg. 148

STARRING ACTORS:

Zach Harriman played by Drake Bell

STARRING ACTORS:

Elizabeth Harriman played by Julie Bowen

STARRING ACTORS:

Kate played by Jennifer Lawrence

STARRING ACTORS:

Tom Harriman played by Patrick Dempsey

Mr. Herbert played by Craig T. Nelson

STARRING ACTORS:

Senator Kerrigan played by Tom Cruise

SOUNDTRACK TUNES

Zach saves the Senator scene.

taken from Footloose soundtrack;

Track 4: “Holding Out for a Hero”

RATING

I gave Hero a rating of

3 out of 5 stars

This book was a great book, but it was confusing to read and the book changed the topic often when it should have been still going on the same topic. It had a lot of action and there was some fight scenes here and there. I liked this book and I do (even though I did not rate it high) recommend to anyone who likes action and drama.