Hero? by Pete Johnson

"THE RIOTOUSLY FUNNY" HERO IS BACK
IN A BRILLIANT NEW EDITION

Luke and Sophie are brother and sister – so of course never speak. Until Sophie suddenly needs her brother's help. But Luke finds himself in a bewildering new world – which includes having to fight the hardest boy in the school.

'Another great title for teens who struggle to find books to read on their own, yet which appeal to their interests.'
Parents in Touch (Best New Children's Fiction)

'A new comedy from the 'wickedly funny' Pete Johnson.'
Mail on Sunday

Luke and Sophie are brother and sister – so of course never speak. Until Sophie suddenly needs her brother’s help. But Luke finds himself in a bewildering new world – which includes having to fight the hardest boy in the school.

‘Another great title for teens who struggle to find books to read on their own, yet which appeal to their interests.’ Parents in Touch (Best New Children’s Fiction)

'A new comedy from the ‘wickedly funny’ Pete Johnson.’ Mail on Sunday

Barrington Stoke | 72-page paperback
ISBN-10: 1781124787
ISBN-13: 978-1781124789

The opening chapter: A Missing Sister

‘Oh Luke,’ Mum cried, ‘I think Sophie’s run away.’

‘Great,’ I said. ‘Can I have her computer?’

I’d just got home from a football match. I hadn’t played well and we’d lost. So the last thing I cared about was my annoying sister, Sophie.

‘Can I have her bedroom as well?’ I asked.

I was older than her. But she had got the bigger bedroom. That was so unfair, but then, Sophie was very spoilt.

‘Luke, this isn’t funny,’ said Mum. ‘Sophie should have been home over an hour ago.’ Then she added. ‘Sophie and I had a row this morning.’

I was sorry I’d missed that.

‘What about?’ I asked.

Mum sighed. ‘I had to pull her out of bed again this morning. I don’t know what time she got to school. So I told her off for being lazy …’

‘Which she is,’ I told Mum.

‘And for leaving her room in a mess,’ she went on.

‘Sophie’s always getting away with things,’ I said. ‘You were right to have a go at her.’

‘But now she hasn’t come home,’ said Mum. ‘I’ve tried ringing some of her friends but they were no help. ‘Oh Luke, where is she?’

‘She’s not that late, Mum,’ I said. ‘She’ll turn up.’

Then Mum said. ‘That girl who lives up the road – Julie. She and Sophie are friends, aren’t they?’

‘They were,’ I said. But I was sure they’d just had a big row.

‘Well Luke, I’m going to see Julie now,’ said Mum.

I wasn’t sure that Julie knew anything. But I sensed Mum just wanted to do something.

I raided the fridge and switched on the TV. But I couldn’t concentrate. Where was Sophie? I didn’t like her much, but she was my sister.

And then my mobile rang.

‘Hi Luke, it’s Amy.’ She was Sophie’s latest best friend. But I was amazed that Amy was ringing me. She and I never spoke.

‘It’s about Sophie,’ said Amy. Her voice sounded really worried.

‘Has something happened to her?’ I asked.

‘Yes,’ Amy wailed.

‘What?’ I demanded.

‘Oh Luke, you know where I live, don’t you? Come round here right away.’ Amy was nearly crying now.

‘Has Sophie been in an accident?’ A shudder ran through me as I asked this.

‘Just get here, please,’ said Amy and rang off.

My hand shook as I left Mum a note. I wrote: ‘GONE TO FIND SOPHIE,’ then raced out of the house.

What has happened to Sophie?

And why does Luke find himself right in the centre of the action?

READ ‘HERO?’ to find out . . .