Heck, Superhero

Heck and his mother are evicted from their apartment and find themselves living in their car and on the streets. As his mother sinks deeper into a depressive or dissociative state, Heck takes on the persona of a superhero to cope with the mounting pressure of finding food, staying in school, and hiding their situation from the world. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with homelessness and maternal mental illness from a secular perspective. The approach is starkly realistic yet softened by Heck's internal monologue. The resolution is hopeful but grounded: they receive help, but the path to recovery is acknowledged as a long process. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a sense of urgent anxiety and builds into a high-stakes struggle for survival. It ends on a note of cautious optimism and relief as Heck finally allows himself to be 'just a kid' again. IDEAL READER: A middle schooler who feels the weight of adult responsibilities or a child who enjoys superhero tropes but is ready for a 'gritty' real-world application of those themes. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might choose this after seeing their child withdraw or try to 'fix' adult problems, or if the child has expressed curiosity or fear about people they see experiencing homelessness. PARENT PREP: Parents should be prepared to discuss the reality of mental health struggles. The scenes where Heck's mother is non-responsive are emotionally taxing and may require a check-in. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (10-11) will focus on the 'mission' and the superhero elements, while older readers (13-14) will more deeply feel the tragedy of the mother's decline and the social stigma of poverty. DIFFERENTIATOR: It uses the superhero metaphor not as a gimmick, but as a sophisticated psychological coping mechanism that feels authentically tied to a child's developmental stage.