Heroes

A parent would reach for this book when their child comes home feeling left out, unfairly cast as the 'bad guy' in social games, or frustrated by peer-group stereotyping. The story follows Donnie, a Japanese American boy whose friends always force him to play the villain in their war games. Through a moving interaction with his father and uncle, Donnie discovers that his own family members were real-life heroes during World War II, a revelation that gives him the confidence to stand up for himself. This book is a powerful tool for navigating social dynamics and cultural identity for children aged 5 to 9. It offers a gentle yet firm path toward self-advocacy, using family history as a source of strength. Parents will appreciate how it models healthy communication between generations and provides a historical context for why representation matters in everyday play.