A Boy Called Hero: An Interview with Author Marie Miranda Cruz

In the middle grade adventure A Boy Called Hero, 12-year-old Hero De Rosario embarks on a journey 100 years in the past and helps his ancestors resist Spanish oppression in the Philippines. Suddenly he discovers that he may be able to live up to his name after all. This time-travel adventure story is all about finding ways to make a difference, connect with others, and be true to yourself no matter where (or when) you are.

Today, we will hear from author Marie Miranda Cruz as she shares her writing journey with A Boy Called Hero. Discover her inspiration for Hero’s story, her balance between writing, family, and working in a laboratory, and more.

What is the most surprising thing you discovered while researching or writing the book?

A love for history! When I was growing up, I found my social studies class interesting until I had to memorize places and dates for tests. For a while, I decided I didn’t like history. But as I grew older, I found myself drawn to the topic. I wanted to know how people lived in the past, what clothes they wore, what food they liked to eat. I think I became a big fan of Jane Austen because her novels provided a window into England’s regency period like no other.

What do you hope readers will learn or discover from reading your book?

I want my readers to discover how important books are for learning how to be empathetic toward people of different backgrounds—familial, economic, cultural, self-discovery-related, etc. I also want my readers to learn how important it is to learn and understand history. Educating ourselves about the good and bad aspects of the past will help shape our understanding of today’s world.

What was your inspiration for the book?

The inspiration came from an article I read about a Filipino patriot named José Maria Basa, who was exiled to Hong Kong for his involvement of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny. I was amazed to learn that he helped smuggle José Rizal’s novels to the Philippines, where they were banned by the colonial government and clergy. It got me thinking about how the books were distributed once they got to the Philippines. I have cousins with the last name Basa, and I asked myself how I’d feel if I found out I was descended from a family of book smugglers who helped get Noli Me Tángere into the hands of readers. I thought it would feel pretty cool! I really wanted to tell this story!

Did you read Noli Me Tángere when you were twelve?

I read the English translation of Dr. Rizal’s book for school when I was about twelve or thirteen. Honestly, I didn’t understand the theme of the book and what it was trying to say until we came to the story of Sisa and her mental anguish over losing her son at the hands of the clergy. This story horrified me. Out of all the stories in Noli Me Tángere, this one has inspired many stage productions, even in my own high school!

What was the most fun thing about writing A Boy Called Hero?

Research is a lot of fun! I went on a deep dive into the 1890s to make sure I got the details right. A lot of the sensory detail in the book came from my own experience living in the Philippines. I also took a tour of an ancestral home/museum in the Philippines to be familiar with the kinds of furniture and accessories people used in that time period. But the most fun part was figuring out how the time loop in the story worked. Time travel stories are so interesting to read and write.

Do you see yourself in your protagonist, Hero?

I do. When I was Hero’s age, I too felt invisible. There was nothing special about me—I wasn’t an honor roll student, a great athlete, or musically talented. As a matter of fact, I felt I wasn’t talented in any particular way. I looked like an ordinary kid as well. It’s tough being a wallflower—but like Hero, I did figure out what I was good at and what made me special.

You work full time in the clinical laboratory field. How do you balance work life, family life, and writing?

Work and family take up the majority of my time, and managing to write when my children were young was a struggle, but somehow, I always made time. And that’s the key word—making time to write. My children are now grown-ups, so not only is finding time to write easier, but they have become great sounding boards for my ideas!

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on my first middle grade science fiction novel! I had so much fun researching the science and drawing diagrams of the spaceship my character and her family live on. When you have an idea you’re excited about, it makes drafting a novel easier. I had the same experience when I wrote A Boy Called Hero, a book I truly love and hope my readers will enjoy.

Free Educator Resources

Throughout the many twists and turns in A Boy Called Hero, readers might want to stop and talk about what they’ve encountered. Download this free discussion guide to kickstart the conversation!

Praise for A Boy Called Hero

“An exciting adventure that explores what it means to be a hero and sheds light on fascinating historical events.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This quick read pulls readers into the story and doesn’t let up until the end. Combining real history with Hero’s struggles gives layered insight into important Filipino history. Hero’s personal growth is significant as he learns to stand up for what he believes in.”—School Library Journal

“Plenty of action and intrigue to keep readers turning pages. . . . celebrates family heritage and explores less familiar historical times and places.”—Booklist

“This gripping adventure story will appeal to middle graders interested in both history and time travel, and the time travel itself is well executed, with Teo and Olivia in on the secret of Hero’s arrival while their parents and the authorities surveilling them are not, which adds both suspense and humor.”—Historical Novel Society

More About Marie Miranda Cruz

Scientist and writer Marie Miranda Cruz grew up in the Philippines, and her work reflects her multicultural roots, both in the country of her birth and her adopted California. Her debut novel, Everlasting Nora (Tor 2018), received starred reviews from Kirkus and SLJ and was a JLG selection, SLJ Day of Dialog selection, and BEA Buzz Pick for Middle Grade. Marie now lives in Los Angeles, California, with her family and a tank of fighting fish.