In The Hero Next Door, the protagonist is a young Black boy, who embarks on a journey to overcome his uneasiness about being different from his peers. It’s clear from the outset that the story reflects the Black experience. As a Black student myself, I can relate to the protagonist’s feeling of being an outsider and I appreciate the authentic depiction of the complexities of this experience.

At the same time, I think that the narrative is slightly lop-sided in the way it portrays the “otherness” of the protagonist and his peers. He is made to be different in opposition to his peers, suggesting that he is distinct because of his identity. This type of framing can reinforce stereotypes that Black people are inherently different than their white peers, which is of course not true.

That said, I think the overall message of this story is an important one. It encourages kids to embrace and explore their difference, which is something I personally value. The focus on being true to yourself and daring to be different, despite potential ridicule and judgement, is one that I hold dear. The narrative puts that idea in the center of its story, which I find quite inspiring.