Standard Hero Behavior

SHB is an excellent fantasy satire along the lines of Terry Pratchett's works for the younger set, such as The Wee Free Men. As a Young Adult Librarian, I highly recommend this work as a quick and humorous read. I look forward to the author's next work!

Standard Hero Behavior is a thoroughly enjoyable read for tweens, teens and adults alike. This story deals humorously with the cliche hero types of standard fantasy fiction. In the process it shows that everyone has a hero inside. SHB also deals with the theme of broken families, and does so with a light but honest touch. Overall a very well crafted tale. This is John David Anderson's first book, but SHB stands comfortably alongside the giants of young adult fiction. Here's to John David Anderson for a very promising start to what will surely be a great future!

Author John David Anderson is America's answer to J.K. Rowling. Extraordinarily well-crafted, Standard Hero Behavior reeled me in with irony, humor, surprises, and vividness. Anderson's skill and imagination take a young man's expedition of discovery to many unexpected, astonishing, and inspiring levels. Every chapter became my next favorite. The satisfying ending had me cheering, laughing, and sobbing--and ready to heed the heroes among us.

Light-hearted and moving, irreverent and honest... this book will by my Christmas gift to all the teens and tweens in my family. With an arrow slinging young woman, a kind witch, a warrior poet and his childhood best friend, SHB ranks right up there with the Chronicles of Narnia. It is light enough for kids, yet deep enough for adults to appreciate. The characters are engaging and the story is fast-paced and satisfying. This book has everything.... action, quests and friendship, humor and surprise, dragons and family. Take a good look at true heroes!

I couldn't put this book down! Witty, humorous non-stop action about a young boy on a quest for finding heroes and his father kept me glued to every page. The satirical undertones of the novel poked fun at the fantasy genre, keeping the book light, while deeper themes of losing father figures, finding one's self and learning the true meaning of heroism gave the book a true poignancy. I recommend this to any fan of the fantasy/science fiction genre, especially young adults!