Book Extract: Nero the Hero By Samantha Mattocks

It is my pleasure to be welcoming Samantha Mattocks to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Nero the Hero.

Prepare to meet your new favourite superhero as Nero the Hero reveals his secret! 

Nero is no ordinary dog. This miniature schnauzer has a beard, a bark, and a secret. When danger strikes, he transforms into Nero the Hero, a powerful protector with extraordinary abilities.

Alongside his human, twelve-year-old Jack, Nero dives into fast-paced adventures filled with mystery, heart, and just a touch of fun. But when Jack makes a brave mistake and finds himself in real danger, Nero must face his greatest challenge yet to save his best friend alone.

Perfect for readers aged 8-12, this highly illustrated chapter book blends action-packed fantasy with an engaging, accessible style, making it ideal for reluctant readers and confident young bookworms alike. With short chapters and dynamic illustrations, Nero the Hero is a thrilling start to a children’s fantasy series about friendship, bravery, and daring rescues.

Fans of Claude and The Hounds of Penhallow Hall will love this action-filled adventure starring a heroic dog and the boy who believes in him.

From the author of the popular Magical Mister Mishkins series, Samantha Mattocks introduces a bold new hero first seen in The Magic of Mister Mishkins. Beautifully illustrated by Gerda Smit, this is a story full of adventure, loyalty, and the power of believing in something extraordinary.

Samantha has shared an extract from Nero the Hero with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

*****beginning of extract*****

Welcome to my post celebrating my latest book, Nero the Hero! This is my third highly illustrated younger Middle Grade book, and I cannot wait for you all to read it.

Nero is a spin-off book from my Magical Mister Mishkins series. However, it is a very different story. It follows the adventures of a young boy named Jack who spends the summer with his nan, Jean, and her dog, Nero.

As the story evolves, Jack notices that there is something unusual about Nero plus Nero’s relationship with his nan. He discovers Jean can hear Nero’s thoughts, and she is the latest in a line of daughters and granddaughters with this unique bond between them and their dogs. As Nero the Hero develops, we find out more about their history, learn a surprising fact about Jack, and then face drama as Jack decides it is time for him to be a hero himself.

The following scene is when Jack feels he will never be as special as Nero. I included this scene as so many of us in life have doubts, focusing perhaps too much on what we can’t do, rather than all the brilliant things we can, which Jean firmly reminds Jack of much later in the book:

*****

Jack returned to the bench while Nero ran off on patrol. He slumped down next to his nan, all his energy gone.

‘What’s the matter, Jack?’ Jean asked gently as she pulled a biscuit out of her bag.

‘Nero. He’s just so remarkable – and I’m… I’m just a boy. Nero has a special cape and collar, and he saves people. He does things. That little girl with the daisy chains was so upset – and Nero helped her. What if I never do anything brilliant like that?’

Jean wrapped her arm around her grandson and pulled him in tightly to her. Looking out at the sea, she squeezed him.

‘Jack, you will be brilliant, and you will do amazing things. Of that, I have no doubt. Nero is different. He has different skills than you, with his sense of smell and his phenomenal hearing. You are so young, and you have your whole future ahead of you. I know you will go on to do wonderful things. But for now, enjoy the summer, playing with Nero, and watching those stars.’

Jack leaned into his nan. He knew that what she was saying made sense, but he felt impatient. He wanted to be living the same adventures as Nero was, and he wanted them now! Not when he was older. As he accepted the biscuit and nibbled on the corner, Jack slowly started to make a plan.

*****

I hope you are ready to meet your favourite new superhero, as Nero the Hero is waiting to meet you!

Samantha Mattocks

*****end of extract*****

About Samantha Mattocks–

Samantha Mattocks is best known for her highly illustrated Middle Grade books in The Magical Mister Mishkins series. Her words have transported readers across all her work to another place, one filled with magic, inspiration, dreams, and more.

An award-winning journalist and author, Samantha lives in Norfolk. She owns The Arabian Magazine, a beautiful publication that celebrates the Arabian horse. She was on MasterChef UK in 2019.

Say hello to Samantha on Instagram and Facebook. 

Nero the Hero was published by Mosaic Street Publishing on 25th June 2026. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.