Heroes Don't Run by Harry Mazer follows Adam Pelko, a teenage boy who cannot forget the day his father was killed aboard the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. Determined to honour his father’s sacrifice, Adam lies about his age, enlists in the Marines, and leaves his home in Bakersfield behind.
From the rigours of boot camp to the brutal fighting on Okinawa, Adam encounters the reality of World War II: deep camaraderie and fleeting moments of glory alongside exhausting training, terror in combat, and the constant presence of death. Each step forward forces him to measure his own courage against the memory of his father.
Written for young readers, this compact novel offers a vivid, accessible portrait of a boy at war, raising questions about duty, fear, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero.
Themes and features
- World War II historical fiction set after Pearl Harbor
- Coming-of-age story of a teen Marine in combat
- Explores grief, duty, bravery, and family legacy
- Concise length suited to middle grade and early teen readers
