The Hero Next Door: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology

From We Need Diverse Books comes a middle-grade short-story collection exploring courage and everyday acts of bravery through diverse voices and experiences.

Not all heroes wear capes. They may be martial artists, inventors, soccer players, sisters, neighbors, or friends. What they share is the ability to make the world better through courage, compassion, and kindness.

Published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, this anthology brings together thirteen acclaimed authors whose stories remind young readers that heroes come in many forms—and that the hero might even be you.

Authors include: William Alexander, Joseph Bruchac, Lamar Giles, Mike Jung, Hena Khan, Juana Medina, Ellen Oh, R. J. Palacio, Linda Sue Park and Anna Dobbin, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ronald L. Smith, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Suma Subramaniam.

“As with the two previous anthologies from We Need Diverse Books, this collection admirably succeeds in making available to all readers a wider and more representative range of American voices and protagonists.” —The Washington Post