The Labors of Hercules Beal

“In his wry and sometimes gripping story of working through grief, Schmidt gives us glorious sunrises seen from the dunes — where Hercules greets each day with a hello to his parents — and a year in the life of a nursery.” — New York Times Book Review”Sharp and funny … this essential purchase will spark interest in classical mythology and encourage readers to reach out to ­others in times of stress.” — School Library Journal (starred review)“Schmidt employs his signature narrative style, balancing scenes of humor and affecting gravity through Hercules’s droll narration. A moving hero’s journey.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)“This memorable novel offers emotional honesty, wit, and a hard-won, heartening perspective.” — Booklist (starred review)“At once an epic journey toward self-discovery and a wonderfully entertaining yarn.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Schmidt’s narrative keeps readers engaged with action [and] humor.” — Horn Book Magazine

Gary D. Schmidt is the bestselling author of The Labors of Hercules Beal; Just Like That; National Book Award finalist Okay for Now; Pay Attention, Carter Jones; Orbiting Jupiter; the Newbery Honor and Printz Honor Book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy; and the Newbery Honor Book The Wednesday Wars. He is also co-author, with Ron Koertge, of A Day at the Beach. He lives in rural Michigan.