When we think of middle-grade books, bombing Pearl Harbor isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind. But credit where it’s due—Heroes by Alan Gratz does not play it safe. This cover is the opposite of dull. Japanese planes fill the sky, explosions rock the harbor, and two boys stand frozen as not one, but two enemy aircraft seem to be gunning straight for them. If the goal is to immediately pull us into the chaos, mission accomplished.

The tagline “Pearl Harbor. A country attacked. A friendship tested.” reads like a movie trailer, and it gives us a lot to go on. The stakes are clearly high, and we’re not just talking about war—there’s a personal, emotional element to this story as well.

This cover works for us, though it definitely suggests that the reader needs a certain level of maturity. It’s intense, and it’s clear that this book is going to deal with some serious themes.

Based on the Cover, We Think This Book Is About…
Two friends in Hawaii—one of them a Japanese-American —find their bond tested when Pearl Harbor is attacked. As war erupts around them, loyalties are questioned, fear takes over, and they must navigate a world that suddenly sees them on opposite sides. If that’s the story, it sounds like a fascinating and powerful read.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)