A book by
David Graham
Illustrated by Fiona Boniwell
‘Classroom Hero uses vivid storytelling and relatable images ... a tender, engaging and insightful book about exclusion and belonging’
fintan o’toole
It’s hard to fit in - when you’re made to stand out
Fionn is often made to sit on his own at school, but he doesn’t understand why. Now in second class, he spends more time alone than ever. He is the only pupil who is not making his communion.
A school visitor calls him a ‘classroom hero’, and everything seems to make sense. When Fionn sees his classmate Sophie being bullied, he comes to her rescue and a close friendship is born. But he is still not treated the same as the other children.
When the ‘big day’ arrives, Fionn goes to Fun Land with his parents while his classmates go to church. Then he’s invited to his friend Grace’s communion party.
But what will the other kids think?
Classroom Hero is the story of one boy’s quest to fit in – in a world that makes him stand out.
What People Are Saying
‘insightful’
— Fintan O’Toole
‘empowering’
— Paul Rowe
‘captivating’
— Emma DeSouza
‘thoughtful’
— Tara Flynn
About David
David Graham is a parent and campaigner for equality in Irish education. He has written about the controversial role of religion in schools across the print and online media for many years and is a regular guest on the topic on Irish radio. He decided to write this book in part out of admiration for ‘opted-out’ children, and in part out of frustration that their voices were not being heard. Classroom Hero offers a child’s-eye view of the pervasive impact of religious patronage on the Irish education system, and of the experience of ‘opting out’.
About this book
Classroom Hero draws on innumerable personal stories from ‘opted-out’ children in schools around Ireland. Confronted by exclusion, othering, and outright discrimination, these pupils are often made to feel like outsiders in their own communities at a formative stage in their lives. The author is immensely grateful to these children for having the courage to share their experiences.
Contact:
For bookshops/retailers: sales@classroomhero.ie
For media queries: press@classroomhero.ie
For general enquiries: info@classroomhero.ie
