As in her last novel, Tom Finder, Martine Leavitt uses speculative fiction to explore the grittiness of real life to superb effect. Heck Superhero believes that if he does one more altruistic good deed, he’ll be able to save his mother, who’s off her meds and has temporarily abandoned him. But in the meantime, he’s locked out of their crappy apartment because she forgot to pay the rent. Living in a neighbour’s 1958 Thunderbird, he’s stolen money from his best friend, done drugs, and skipped school for the last three days. Convinced that he alone can save his mother, he won’t tell anyone he doesn’t know where she is. But when Heck witnesses the suicide of a troubled teen he befriended, he realizes he’s not a superhero after all, just an ordinary kid who needs help.

Heck Superhero is a brilliantly conceived, beautifully written novel that plunges readers into the depths of a deeply troubled world. Leavitt powerfully blends hyper-realism and fantasy in a seamless mix that makes this book a standout. Exploring the utter helplessness of a homeless 13-year-old desperate to find his mother and on the streets for the first time, Leavitt offers a compellingly believable glimpse into the richly imaginative mind of a teen who wants to be a superhero. Heck’s voice rings out with clarity, imbued with hopefulness and fervour. Heck Superhero is a stunning achievement.