The Hero Project by Robert Hatch

by Robert Hatch

For the first time, living legends and popular heroes tell teens how they survived their adolescence

When they were 11 and 14, respectively, brothers Robert and William Hatch embarked on an ambitious to discover how many of their heroes dealt with the challenges of early adolescence. The result is The Hero Project, a fascinating collection of interviews with some of the most prominent names in sports, science, politics, entertainment, the arts, and religion.

From dealing with bullies to overcoming health problems, feeling lonely and different to growing up in a broken home, what they thought of the world around them to their own heroes and role models, these luminaries share their candid recollections of life as a teen and offer young readers advice on how to grow up to be heroes themselves. In addition to the interviews, each chapter contains a brief biography of the selected interviewee, along with the fascinating back story of how the brothers made contact with the hero in question.

Heroes of The Hero

Pete Seeger, Madeleine L’Engle, Florence Griffith Joyner, Jimmy Carter,Orson Scott Card,Yo Yo Ma, Elouise Cobell, Carroll Spinney, Desmond Tutu, Lance Armstrong and Linda Kelly Armstrong, Steven Wozniak, Dolores Huerta, and Jackie Chan

Genres: Nonfiction

Library Binding

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the book was interesting. This book is a collection of interviews that two teenagers set up. Some of the people in the book I recognized, some I didn't. These interviews focus on what these "heroes" were like as kids and teens. My favorite quote from the book is when Robert is interviewing Desmond Tutu. Rob asks "If you could pass one law, what would it be?", Desmond replies, "To get rid of humbug and make us laugh at ourselves and not take ourselves too seriously." I think that this is such an amazing quote because I believe that humor is one of the great pillars of human society, without it life would be far too bland. I think this book is a good one for readers who know who some of these interviewees are so that they can see a maybe side of their life. I knew who about forty percent of the people were so I thought it was enjoyable. I would recommend this book.

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very inspiring, it shows how those celebrities live their life with their ethics. One that stood out to me was Jackie Chan. He mentioned how he lives he life by taking action and making himself healthier instead of wishing to be healthy. It's a life that I want to live so he really inspired me to be better. It was also interesting to see how Orson Scott Card got his inspiration and how he wrote the books. It was also really cool to see how he took religion and his own moral ethics. I recommend this book to those looking for purpose in life and those that are interested in the actors, authors and just regular people that are in this book. It really helps those that need guidance just like I do. It is really inspiring book a definite read!

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was about William and Robert Hatch having interviews with real people that are considered heroes. The book was interesting to read. It gave some decent background on the heroes that I didn't even really need to who they were. The interviews themselves were interesting to read, the heroes gave a lot of fascinating stories. It also has quite a bit a background of information such as how Will and Robert got to do the interviews. I gave it five stars because there was really nothing wrong with the book, it was just interesting to read.

[Aheem]

The Hero Project, written by two teenage brothers: William (age 11) and Robert Hatch (age 14) is a 208 page informative book about living heroes of today’s time. These two young boys were inspired by all the various biographies they had read in their lives. But one idea surfaced in their minds, that all the heroes that were written about in books are either long gone, or no longer role models for young people. Robert Hatch began the effort and made lists of potential people that could be interviewed, they had three qualities: They were role models, they were alive, and they did something to make the world better. Throughout the course of the book, William Hatch contacted the various role models that his brother had chosen and asked (begged) them for interviews. What I enjoyed about the book was learning about the life stories of important figures of history without having to sit down and research them. I liked that when the “heroes” were talking about themselves, they weren’t bragging about their accomplishments. I feel as though this book was simply to make teenagers like myself aware of the people who brought them such dramatic changes in life, not to teach them solely about those changes. What I didn’t like about the book was how William Hatch dragged on about his journey to the hero instead of discussing the hero himself/herself. I learned a lot about historical and inspirational people of history through “The Hero Project”, such as Desmund Tutu, Lance Armstrong, Jimmy Carter, Pete Seeger, Yo-Yo Ma, and Madeleine L’Engle.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hero Project is a series of 13 interviews, conducted by two teenage boys, of famous people that they considered to be "heroes". The format for each person was a short biography, an explanation of how they got the interview, and then a transcript of the interview. After reading this book, I now have new heroes. Elouise Cobell, and Dolores Huerta specifically; two women that I was not familiar with; and have earned my tremendous respect. This would be a wonderful book for any person age 10 and up. It would be an easy book club read (for adults or students), as well as a classroom read. I particularly loved learning about all of the charitable work these famous people have done. I think that is what elevates a person from just being successful to being a hero. Defining what a hero is is the first step. I would definitely recommend this book. And Jackie Chan? Wow! Just Wow! Such an amazing life!

[Amanda Gibson]

Two brothers embark on an amazing adventure when they are asked to create a project that allows them to interview their modern-day hereos. Some hereos that are interviewed are Jackie Chan, Lance Armstrong, and Yo-Yo Ma. This shows great examples of interviewing skills. One of the most important processes of starting to work is the ability to know how to give interviews and how to answer interview questions. This book will help the students better understand how to answer particular questions and how important it is to be able to answer them comfortably. I think that the students would remained engaged with this book because of all the famous people who are interviewed.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two young brothers set off to interview their heroes, everyone from Yo Yo Ma to Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Big Bird (and Lance Armstrong :>) Some of the questions seem repetitive, but I enjoyed the responses. I thought it was a great concept for a book.

[Marissa Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two young brothers interviewed famous people they admired. The interview subjects include Jimmy Carter, Steve Wozniak, Orson Scott Card, and the actor who plays Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. It's a nice project, but the interviews aren't thrilling to read.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up for possible consideration for Battle of the Books competition non-fiction title. I didn't have time to read it cover to cover, decided the format would not work for the competition, but what I did read was well done and it's definitely a neat idea.

[Lindsay Nichols · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this book ages ago.

I was bored by it.

Yet another example of something sounding really cool and neat and being executed quite badly.