Hero

Zach Harriman, son of superhero Tom Harriman, and his mom live in a luxurious apartment overlooking New York’s Central Park, along with Alba, the housekeeper, and Alba’s daughter, Kate, who has grown up with Zach and is his best friend. When his father dies, Zach begins to develop the same superpowers as his dad, and soon he learns that his destiny is to become the next “hero” who fights evil. An indifferent student but a solid athlete, Zach rises to the challenge of his new destiny with the support of Kate and the advice of Mr. Herbert.

Zach’s surname, Harriman, suggests rugged, “hairy” masculinity, but it also implies “harried,” inasmuch as the boy confronts the constant pressures of dangerous challenges. Zach is the main protagonist; his needs are to learn who killed his father and carry on in his dad’s footsteps.

Daughter of Alba, the housekeeper, Kate Paredes—her Hispanic last name means “walls”—grows up with Zach, and they’re close. Beautiful and whip-smart, Kate has confidence and wisdom beyond others her age. At school, she’s popular, drawing the interest of the student body president, Spencer Warren, who jealously torments Zach because of the boy’s close connection to her.