Book Descriptions
for A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich by Alice Childress
From The Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Thirteen-year-old Benjie, growing up in Harlem in the late 1960's, believes that if he had somebody to believe in him, he could "do just fine." But, would that alone be enough? Peer pressure leads Benjie into the world of drugs, and his own skewed optimism keeps him from seeing himself as the heroin addict he is quickly becoming. Told in the distinct voices of ten believable characters, Benjie's story blends all these perspectives in a bold portrait of the pain and hope that twists the lives of addicts and their loved ones. What does it take to get on-and stay on-the road to recovery? This realistic novel explores the impact of racism and poverty on even the most valorous personal efforts to confront drug addiction.
The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award: Honoring Peace and Social Justice in Children’s Books Since 1953. © Scarecrow Press, 2013. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Benjie can stop using heroin anytime he wants to. He just doesn't want to yet. Why would he want to give up something that makes him feel so good, so relaxed, so tuned-out? As Benjie sees it, there's nothing much to tune in for. School is a waste of time, and home life isn't much better. All Benjie wants is for someone to believe in him, for someone to believe that he's more than a thirteen-year-old junkie. Told from the perspectives of the people in his life-including his mother, stepfather, teachers, drug dealer, and best friend-this powerful story will draw you into Benjie's troubled world and force you to confront the uncertainty of his future.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.