Happy New Year, Readers! Welcome to a new year of wonderful stories to read and enjoy! There is not a better way to start this new year than with the newest release by one of my all-time favorite authors - Gary D. Schmidt! I think I've read four or five of his books over the years, and any time he has a new release it automatically goes to my must-read list. It's funny, because I've written in the past about how most of his books have the most boring, unappealing covers of any author I know, yet his storytelling skills are some of the best in the business! Anyway, that isn't the case with The Labors of Hercules Beal, which has a nice cover for a change (maybe he has someone new making cover decisions for him now?).
The Greek mythological Hercules (Heracles, before the Romans renamed him) was given the task of completing twelve Labors, or challenges, for the king of Mycenae to atone (make up) for having killed his own wife and children. His tasks involved seemingly impossible things, such as slaying (or killing) a hydra, a multi-headed snake.
In Schmidt's book, main character Hercules Beal is entering 7th grade. One of his teachers gives each student in class a year-long project, and Hercules's project is to duplicate the mythological Hercules's twelve Labors, as they apply to his own life. 7th grade Hercules is the smallest kid in his grade, yet he has to figure out how each of the twelve Labors can fit his real world. Leave it to master storyteller Schmidt to make this work!
The storyline overall is a little bit like the tail wagging the dog, which means it seems Schmidt decided he wanted to build on the mythology to create this story, a bit like Percy Jackson, perhaps. Nothing wrong with this approach, but once or twice it seemed slightly convenient that the events in the modern-day Hercules's life could tie into the mythology of the Labors. However, with a few minor forced events along the way, Schmidt does a really good job here.
I mentioned that I have read many of Schmidt's books, and every one is really good - a few are even exceptional! Hercules Beal will not disappoint, and may be one of the better books you will read this year! Using his other books as the baseline, this book rates highly, but a tick below maybe Okay for Now or Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. But Hercules will still be difficult to put down. Treat yourself to this story to start your year...you will be glad you did! 5 paws!
There are many ways to choose the next book you read - watching for your favorite authors is one way! Along with Gary D. Schmidt, here are a few authors that I always read whenever they release a new book;
Kate DiCamillo (although she also writes for very young children, so I usually skip those)
Who are some of your go-to authors? Let me know in the comments section...I can always use new authors to watch out for!
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