[Jojo]

Dear Mr. Korman,

Hello! I am Jojo, and a HUGE fan of your books. Every time I pick up one of your books, I read the inside cover and think it will be boring. But when I start on the books, I am glued to it until I finish it.  I want to read most of your before I get too old. :) Anyway, I need some info one my essay about you. Right now I am stuck on Who are your famous person's heroes?  I don't know what to put down! If you want to tell me anything else about you that is essay worthy, I would be glad to put that in there. You inspire me to be an author one day. I love writing stories already!  

Thank you for your time! - Jojo 

[Korman Junkie]

A tip if you want to read them all: check the topic in "Talking About The Books" section called "I'm Going On An Epic Quest". One of the replies have great tips for finding them all!

Hi, Jojo,

Thanks for posting. I'm pleased to hear that my books have been making a hit with you. I hope to continue writing material that will please and amuse you.

Famous person heroes: These are mostly football heroes, Jojo. People like Saquon Barkley, Peyton Manning, Eric Dickerson, and Tom Brady. Politically, I very much admire Britain's Winston Churchill. I was also an admirer of filmmaker Rob Reiner. And one of my comedy heroes has to be George Carlin. Musically, I'm a forever Beatles fan -- all four of them.

Hope that's somewhat helpful. Thanks again, Jojo.                                          -----Gordon Korman-----

[Libby]

I want to respectfully raise an important historical concern, particularly in light of statements where Winston Churchill has been described as a personal hero. While Churchill’s role in leading Britain during World War II is often emphasized, it is also well documented that he held deeply racist views toward Indians and other colonized peoples. Private records, including the diaries of Leo Amery, record Churchill referring to Indians as “a beastly people” and blaming them for famine conditions under British rule.

For these reasons, I believe Winston Churchill should not be upheld uncritically as a hero, especially in contexts involving young readers. Historical figures can have significant achievements while also causing immense harm, and acknowledging both is essential. Presenting Churchill without addressing his racism risks normalizing or minimizing that harm.

Engaging with history honestly—rather than heroizing it—encourages critical thinking and a more responsible understanding of the past.

But presenting Churchill as, first and foremost, a (perhaps) racist, risks minimizing his enormous contribution to the war against Germany and the Axis. Consider the era in which he was born.