This heartfelt story features a boy named Finn Connelly. His father was a firefighter and a hero who died two years ago. Finn is not a hero, given the fact he’s failing 7th grade.

Things only get worse when Finn is caught vandalizing a cemetery headstone that belonged to a legendary local woman who climbed the Adirondack mountains. The daughter says she won’t press charges if Finn will climb all 46 peaks during the upcoming summer. He also has to take Seymour with him, the deceased lady’s dog. Various adult volunteer hikers have agreed to accompany him.

Finn is skeptical about the hikes leading to anything other than tired legs. Then, each trail brings him closer to understanding his dad, how he died, and how his own grief can heal. He also learns more about being a hero.

This is a novel in verse, but strays away on occasion with letters to his teacher, progress reports, and recipes of the cookies Finn likes to make. The engaging style gives the story a classic and masterful feel. 9/11 is brought in as historical event as Finn’s dad was one of the key rescuers on site and faced PTSD aftereffects There’s also memories of how the recent COVID pandemic affected Finn.

I know THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES is destined for awards. It’s just that good. The many surprises in the plot will be left for you as a reader to experience yourself. I’ll have another one of Kate’s books featured tomorrow, but for now I feel the need to hike a mountain.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: APRIL 29, 2025 PAGES: 368

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner

1. The Adirondack peaks were the main setting for the story and I was fascinated by the differences and challenges each one brought forth. A special part of our country.
2. The hike mentors were not just there for the walk. They were all interesting with different personalities. Annie the farmer, Sam the high school counselor, and one of his dad’s coaches all gave Finn the attention and helped him have a memorable character arc for readers.
3. Finn doesn’t like Seymour the dog at first, but their growing connection made me smile.
4. You will to want try out some of those cookie recipes. Each of them is a tribute to certain peaks. They sound delicious and also serve to help others in a special way.
5. Finn’s often snarky teen behavior was perfectly entrenched into the story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner is passionately curious and has written over seventy books for kids who wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books like Over and Under the Snow , The Next Scientist, and The Scariest Kitten in the World as well as novels for older readers like Breakout and The Trouble with Heroes. Kate also writes the popular History Smashers graphic nonfiction series and the Ranger in Time historical adventures, and she leads the multi-author team behind The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class chapter books. Kate lives on Lake Champlain and is a proud Adirondack 46er. Learn more at www.katemessner.com.

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