A Little Dusky Hero

** "A Little Dusky Hero" by Harriet T. Comstock is a heartwarming tale set during the Spanish-American War, focusing on George Washington McKinley Jones, a young African American boy with dreams of heroism, illustrating themes of courage, devotion, and the desire for belonging. Orphaned and eager to prove himself, G. W. joins Colonel Austin's regiment as their mascot, navigating the difficulties of wartime and his own anxieties about race and self-worth. Deeply connected to Colonel Austin and inspired by a vision of a boy and his mother, G. W. bravely disobeys orders, undertaking a perilous mission to save the Colonel during a critical battle, demonstrating that true heroism stems from love and sacrifice, not from race or status. **