Heroes Pearl Harbor

Описание: The story follows Frank McCoy, a thirteen-year-old boy living on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor with his family. Frank is deeply afraid of getting hurt due to a traumatic incident from his past. Unlike his best friend Stanley, who is confident and brave, Frank avoids danger and conflict whenever possible. Despite being physically strong, he often freezes when faced with fear.
Frank and Stanley love comic books and dream of creating their own superhero, which becomes an important metaphor throughout the novel. Frank struggles with the idea of heroism because he believes heroes must be fearless—something he is not.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Frank and Stanley are visiting the battleship USS Utah when the Japanese attack begins. What they initially think is a drill quickly turns into chaos as planes bomb the harbor and torpedoes strike ships. The USS Utah is hit and begins to sink, trapping sailors inside.
As the attack unfolds, Frank is forced to confront real danger. Despite his fear, he helps rescue trapped sailors, dives underwater to assist others, and makes life-saving decisions. Throughout these moments, Frank realises that courage does not mean the absence of fear—it means acting even when you are afraid.
By the end of the novel, Frank understands that heroes are ordinary people who choose to help others in moments of crisis. His journey transforms him from a fearful boy into someone who recognises his own strength and bravery.