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Kate Messner
Age Rec: 4th -6th Grades
Themes: Loss/Grief, Nature, Connection, Hiking, Punishment & Transformation, September 11th and PTSD
Set against the backdrop of the Adirondacks, this book is a verse novel that beautifully explores the healing power of nature. We follow Finn, a middle schooler who, unlike his late “hero” hockey-star father, is grappling with his own internal struggles. A thoughtless act of kicking and breaking a graveyard headstone lands him in a rough patch. Lucky for Finn, the family of the women’s headstone he damaged seeks not retribution, but rather a meaningful and potentially healing form of punishment. The deceased woman, Edna Grace Thomas, was an avid hiker and a local legend known as a “46er” for having summited all the 46 High peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. Finn’s task: to hike all the 46 peaks in one summer, accompanied by Seymour, the “dead lady’s dog”.
This arduous challenge becomes Finn’s journey of self-discovery and healing. As he navigates the trails, he learns why certain hiking gear is essential, how noticing the small things like a beautiful flower or a patch of moss can be uplifting, and how relationships - even those forced upon us - can be transforming. “The Trouble With Heroes” is a touching exploration of grief, resilience, and the power of unlikely mentorship. It demonstrates how embracing challenges, connecting with nature, and understanding the struggles of those we admire can lead to personal growth, and a path towards happiness.
Kate Messner
Age Rec: 4th -6th Grades
Themes: Loss/Grief, Nature, Connection, Hiking, Punishment & Transformation, September 11th and PTSD
Set against the backdrop of the Adirondacks, this book is a verse novel that beautifully explores the healing power of nature. We follow Finn, a middle schooler who, unlike his late “hero” hockey-star father, is grappling with his own internal struggles. A thoughtless act of kicking and breaking a graveyard headstone lands him in a rough patch. Lucky for Finn, the family of the women’s headstone he damaged seeks not retribution, but rather a meaningful and potentially healing form of punishment. The deceased woman, Edna Grace Thomas, was an avid hiker and a local legend known as a “46er” for having summited all the 46 High peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. Finn’s task: to hike all the 46 peaks in one summer, accompanied by Seymour, the “dead lady’s dog”.
This arduous challenge becomes Finn’s journey of self-discovery and healing. As he navigates the trails, he learns why certain hiking gear is essential, how noticing the small things like a beautiful flower or a patch of moss can be uplifting, and how relationships - even those forced upon us - can be transforming. “The Trouble With Heroes” is a touching exploration of grief, resilience, and the power of unlikely mentorship. It demonstrates how embracing challenges, connecting with nature, and understanding the struggles of those we admire can lead to personal growth, and a path towards happiness.