Do you know one reason why authors write books? To find out what they think about something. That's one reason why we read books, too --- to find out what we think about something. WHERE HEROES HIDE is a book that deals with an important question: what is a hero? If a man receives a war medal, is he a hero, or is he just a man who acts bravely sometimes?

In 1956, Junior's father is a decorated veteran of World War II. Junior wasn't even born when his father came back from the war; Junior's sister was only six years old. She remembers the nightmares their father used to have. She tells Junior that their father is a good man, even though he behaves badly sometimes. Junior's mother tells him the same thing. All Junior knows is that his father yells a lot, and he especially yells at Junior for being friends with Lenny.

Lenny got polio. Although he couldn't go to school for years and spent lots of time in the hospital, the doctors have said he isn't contagious anymore and can go to school again. He has to wear a brace on his leg, but he's nice, lots of fun, and he and Bobby are Junior's two best friends. Junior's father, however, believes Junior could die if he hangs around with Lenny, and he tells Junior to stay away from him. He orders Lenny off his property. Then he even humiliates and hits Lenny.

He doesn't apologize for this even when Lenny's father confronts him. Lenny's father tells him that other men served their country. Even winning a medal is no excuse for mistreating a 10-year-old boy. Lenny couldn't help getting polio, he says, but Junior's father is lots sicker than Lenny is --- and he can help it.

Junior tells his father that he hates him. Does he really? Is a man who would throw things at a child and humiliate him until he cries a good man? Could there be an excuse for it? Read this book and decide for yourself.

   --- Reviewed by Tamara Penny