Published: March 04, 2009
Words: 84,093 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452303901

Short description

In the late 21st century, war has become unfashionable. In its place: the Global Ranking System, a means by which the world’s Patriot nations can compete for resources on Heroes' Day. Monica's dream is to become a Hero—but no opportunity comes without a price, and she soon finds that in the world of the Patriot elite the slightest misstep can send ripples across the globe.

Extended description

In the late twenty-first century, war has become unfashionable. In its place: the Global Ranking System, a means by which the world’s Patriot nations can compete for resources via academic, artistic, athletic, and scientific contest.

Monica Sardinia is a junior national gymnast whose superior technical ability has earned her elite citizenship, credits for her hometown, and a chance to compete as a Patriot athlete on Heroes’ Day. However, when her parents can no longer afford to keep her training at her local club, she’s forced to go “common,” relinquishing her elite status and watching from the sidelines as her training partners move on to bigger and better things without her.

Struggling to adjust to her new life as an average, ordinary teenager growing up in an ailing Wisconsin suburb, Monica’s future looks bleak—that is, until she’s unexpectedly drafted as team captain of America’s precocious new national squad. It’s the chance of a lifetime, and she takes it,.. (Read more) In the late twenty-first century, war has become unfashionable. In its place: the Global Ranking System, a means by which the world’s Patriot nations can compete for resources via academic, artistic, athletic, and scientific contest.

Monica Sardinia is a junior national gymnast whose superior technical ability has earned her elite citizenship, credits for her hometown, and a chance to compete as a Patriot athlete on Heroes’ Day. However, when her parents can no longer afford to keep her training at her local club, she’s forced to go “common,” relinquishing her elite status and watching from the sidelines as her training partners move on to bigger and better things without her.

Struggling to adjust to her new life as an average, ordinary teenager growing up in an ailing Wisconsin suburb, Monica’s future looks bleak—that is, until she’s unexpectedly drafted as team captain of America’s precocious new national squad. It’s the chance of a lifetime, and she takes it, heading to the Olympus Space Station to train under none other than legend (and former Hero), Darren Hades. But no opportunity comes without a price, and Monica soon finds that in order to compete internationally she’ll have to do more than just master her skills, for in the world of the Patriot elite scores are the lifeblood of the economy, and the slightest misstep can send ripples across the globe.
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Tags

coming of age, dystopia, gymnast, olympics, olympic games, military scifi, social science fiction, teen girl

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Reviews

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Review by: Ian Flockhart on July 27, 2012 :
This was a good read and I enjoyed it. I was a little frustrated trying to follow the central premise and real mechanics behind the Heroes system, which I wish had been a little clearer. I felt that robbed the ending of a little of its impact. Overall though an enjoyable story about a good character.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Matthew on March 10, 2012 :
A very nicely told novel about an ordinary teenager given the opportunity to participate in the equivalent of the Olympic Games of the future by becoming a "Hero" class citizen - an elite position reserved for each country's most talented athletes, artists, scientists, and so forth. Monica's character is engaging and well thought out, and easily appeals to both young readers and adults alike. I haven't decided whether Heroes Day is either a young adult novel with heavy socio-political leanings, or a socio-political novel that happens to have a very young protagonist. Either way it's an engaging glimpse into the not-too-distant future of "Patriot America".
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Carol on Jan. 03, 2012 :
A good science fiction novel where war is replaced with Olympic game competition to determine world distribution of resources. It follows the story of one young competitor. Very engaging.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Megan Simpson on July 03, 2010 :
A very well done science fiction novel, heavy on the social politics, but not to the point where you feel like you're dragging your heels. It's more of a character study that takes place against a futuristic sports novel backdrop than a sports novel itself. And while Monica's character is young, I think she can easily relate to readers of all ages. After all, who among us hasn't dreamed of greatness, only to discover that wanting and having are two different things?
(reviewed long after purchase)

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