Children, Heroes and Superheroes

Alison McGhee's new book, Falling Boy, blurs the imaginary line between mortal men and superheroes. It tells the story of little girl who believes her wheelchair-bound friend is hiding his secret identity as a vigilante crime fighter. We'll talk with the author and a child psychiatrist about the role heroes – real and imagined – can play in young people's development. We'll find out what defines a hero and what sets superheroes apart.

Our guests are:

• Alison McGhee, author of Falling Boy. Her other works include Rainlight and Was It Beautiful?
• Michael Brody, child psychiatrist and professor at the University of Maryland. He's also chair of the Television and Media Committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.