I received an electronic ARC from W. W. Norton & Company through NetGalley.
Told in alternating text and artwork. Readers meet two brothers - Link and Hud - who want to be heroes. They are typical kids with huge imaginations. Their dad is a bit eccentric and their mom grounds the family. When they get yet another new babysitter, they set out to see what makes her an archenemy. Readers will enjoy the humor throughout and relate to some of the "missions" they undertake.

This middle grade book fuses together a graphic novel and a novel style as it alternates format throughout. In the graphic novel style chapters, there are approximately 3-6 boxes per page and the pictures, while in black and white only, are easy to understand. The text bubbles are in a fairly large font and relatively easy to read. The novel-style sections are short chapters and continue the story from where the graphic novel section left off. The chapters are short, about 2-5 pages usually and there are pictures as well. I think that the choice to alternate between the writing styles is fantastic! Often parents and even some teachers worry that graphic novels are "too easy" or "not really a chapter book" when in reality they require a lot of special skills to read. That being said, chapter books can also be difficult for middle grade readers, especially those without pictures. As a result, I feel that this book is at a good complexity level, with enough substance and interesting writing that it will appeal to both kids and the adults who buy them books.

The basic premise of the story is there are two young brothers who are trying to create and save their own imaginary world. There are lots of typical middle grade ideas that will win over readers, including: underwear, crazy pranks, and attempts to try to pull one over on the adults and babysitters in their lives. There are also positive messages such as working hard, being flexible and taking care of family members. There is a scene where one of the brothers is suddenly naked, covered by a cereal box, you can see his bum in one of the pictures but it is related to turning invisible, having to leave clothes behind so that he is not seen and then reappearing in real-life without clothes, nothing sexual.

I would definitely recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 8-11 or grade 3-5 range, perfect for the middle grade/early chapter book audience. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

This book makes me so happy! I love how creative that Lincoln and Hudson are. To see a book that shows two kids whose imagination is bigger then real life is such a joy. I love how every event is a different location, or scenario. When the real life implications are shown the reader can’t help but laugh and just realize how magical a kids mind truly can be. I also enjoyed that Link and Hud learned that every good story needs a “bad guy”, and sometimes the bad guy is not truly so bad. The creativity in this book is just off the charts. Kids are going to love the combination of graphic novel along with the story. This will be a fun book to recommend, and I truly can’t wait to do so.
Thank you so much to W.W. Norton and Company and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Link and Hud: Heroes by a Hair is a fun novel for fans of Dog Man, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and comedic novels. Link and Hud create fantastical stories inspired by mundane events, much to the chagrin of the adults who have to handle the clean up in this mixed prose/graphic novel. The antics of the brothers are imaginative, and the focus on their family keeps the story moving. Readers can be inspired to explore their own imaginations and creativity, though hopefully without the mess! It's great seeing a silly novel that focuses on two Black brothers and their relationship. Overall, a fun novel that can introduce reluctant readers to more prose.