The Psalmist Voice Presents: Author/Educator Jerald L. Hoover

Jerald LeVon Hoover became the published author of a Young Adult (YA) title, one of a few books targeted toward young Black and Brown boys ages 12 and up, “My Friend, My Hero”. This novella has become a staple, as recommended reading in elementary through high schools across the country and around the world. According to BlackBoard African-American Booksellers, that is a distinct honor Hoover shares with a short list of African American male YA authors including: Walter Dean Myers, Kevin Powell, Kwame Alexander, Ralph Burgess, and Jason Reynolds. “My Friend, My Hero”, the first of four in a four book series Hoover calls, ‘The Hero Book Series’ is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a commemorative edition that includes an addendum of book discussion questions and now available; a full curriculum with a companion Student Success Guidebook, Teacher’s Guide, and Unit Assessments containing lesson plans. The goal is to promote Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom by providing strategies for students to make better choices and gain much needed confidence to support and unleash their inner greatness. Hoover is an award winning author having written the four novellas of his acclaimed, The Hero Book Series with the word ‘hero’ within each title by design. “My Friend, My Hero”, “He Was My Hero, Too”, “A Hopeful Hero”, and “Hoop Hero” all have meaning. Hoover states, “Exposing Black and Brown children to a barrage of negative imagery and expecting their positive self-image to remain intact is ridiculous, insensitive, and unfair.”