A Boy Called Hero by Cruz, Marie Miranda

A time-travel adventure story about finding ways to make a difference, connect with others, and be true to yourself no matter where (or when) you are.

Twelve-year-old Hero Del Rosario isn't happy about staying with his grandfather in the Philippines while the rest of his family takes a trip back to the States. He's always been the overlooked one, the one who gets left behind, the one who--despite his name--is nothing special. But when he's transported more than a century into the past, he suddenly has bigger problems.

It's 1892, and the Philippines is controlled by Spain. Hero doesn't know how he got here or how to get home. Luckily, he meets two kids his age--his great-great-grandfather, Teo, and Teo's twin sister, Olivia--who take Hero under their wing.

Hero's ancestors are secretly resisting the oppressive colonial government and working for Philippine independence. Their current mission: distributing copies of a banned book that promotes revolutionary ideas. Soon, Hero is drawn into this work . . . and discovers that he may be able to live up to his name after all.

As the Spanish authorities close in, Hero must act fast to save his family and the seeds of revolution―without losing his chance to return to his own time.

Author: Marie Miranda Cruz
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (R)
Published: 09/01/2026
Pages: 248
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.81lbs
Size: 7.53h x 5.64w x 0.78d
ISBN: 9798765690734
Audience: Ages 9-12

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2026
School Library Journal 07/01/2026 pg. 83
Booklist 09/01/2026