A Hero in Gray
A Hero in Gray is a cancer story that offers comfort, hope, and a hero to emulate.
A Hero in Gray by Cherie L. Braham is an inspiring true story of bravery, strength, and love.
Grayson is a seven-year-old boy. He plays with his little cousin, spends time with his parents and grandparents, and enjoys normal little-boy activities like baking cookies, playing hockey, and drumming. Grayson is not like other little boys, though—he is also fighting cancer.
The story expresses admiration for Grayson as he faces a very difficult fight. Text is simple and clear. Each page is filled with all of the people who play with Grayson, who love him and admire his incredible strength: “Sometimes Grayson’s super hero cape is his hospital gown and all those that love Gray!”
Though the topic is a heavy one, the book is light and hopeful. There is no moral or ethical lesson in the text, nor any exciting adventure, but the narrative offers sympathy for children and caregivers dealing with serious illness.
The childlike illustrations capture Grayson’s young perspective. The artwork is full of color and activity, expressing the fun that Grayson finds in life, and conveying the love that his family feels for him.
At the end of the book, a photograph of Grayson—a beautiful, happy little superhero—has been inserted into an illustration, emphasizing the reality of cancer and the bravery that is needed to face it.
A Hero in Gray is a story that offers comfort, hope, and a hero to emulate. If Grayson can fight cancer and still live a full life, perhaps so can other children in similar situations.
Reviewed by
Catherine Thureson
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
