Review by Suhana, St Albans High School for Girls
Hero the Highway Girl by Penny Chrimes is a fast-paced and thrilling historical adventure novel that brings the Georgian period vividly to life with daring escapades, moments of danger, and heartfelt themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery. Hero is an inspiring protagonist who challenges the expectations placed on girls of her time. Overall, Hero the Highway Girl is an engaging and empowering story that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical adventures and strong female characters, deserving a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. 

Review by Aurora, Year 8, Ashcroft Technology Academy
The book is set in the Georgian times when crimes like highway robbery were common. The setting makes the story very engaging because it shows how difficult life could be for people who had very little money or support. It highlights the harsh realities of society at the time and how unfair things could be for those who were poor. The character I found most interesting was Hero Devine because is courageous, clever and very determined. Throughout the story she faces a lot of danger and challenges, but she continues to adapt and survive, which makes her a strong, memorable and resilient character. Some of the other characters, especially those with more power or wealth, were frustrating because they treated poorer people unfairly, which reflects the inequality of that period. The plot felt serious but also exciting, with moments of tension and adventure that kept the story moving and made it thought-provoking. What stood out most to me was Hero’s resilience and how she refuses to give up even when her situation becomes extremely difficult. Hero examines what it truly means to be brave and as the story progresses Jack and Hero realise there is bravery within fear and it’s ok to show vulnerability within friendship. Before reading the book, I did not know much about this time in history so it helped me imagine what life might have been like in the past. I also came across some historical ideas and vocabulary that were new to me. I would recommend this book to other pupils who enjoy historical stories with action and strong characters. At times the pacing felt slightly slow, but overall, the story was engaging and interesting to read.