The Trouble with Heroes
$29.92
- Hardcover
368 pages
- Release Date
2 September 2025
Summary
An instant New York Times bestseller!
A USA Today bestseller!
Read with Jenna Jr. Summer Reading List Pick!
“Genuinely moving.” –The New York Times Book Review
“Explores the healing power of hiking.” –NPR’s All Things Considered
Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year | Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year | School Library Journal Best Book of the Year |
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781547616398 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1547616393 |
| Author: | Kate Messner |
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Publishing Plc |
| Imprint: | Bloomsbury Childrens Books |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 368 |
| Release Date: | 2 September 2025 |
| Weight: | 454g |
| Dimensions: | 38mm x 150mm x 219mm |
| Audience Age: | 8-11 |
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Critics Review
Take one drooling dog, add one pretty desperate kid, mix in mountains—a lot of mountains—sprinkle with unexpected cookie recipes and hard-nosed quirkiness, and let rise. You’ll know it’s finished when the generosity and hope and truth of this novel run over. Let it. * Newbery Honor–winning and bestselling author Gary D. Schmidt *
With astute intention and invention, each verse touches your soul and puts tears in your eyes–the kind of tears that comfort and heal. * Renée Watson, New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning author *
Split this story like a log, and you’ll find concentric circles of metaphor and meaning on every page. There are passages that will gut you, and others that will leave you laughing out loud. * Nikki Grimes, award-winning author of ORDINARY HAZARDS *
Equal parts suspenseful adventure and heartrending emotion, this beautiful book will capture your heart. * Jasmine Warga, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A ROVER’S STORY and Newbery Honor-winning OTHER WORDS FOR HOME *
The Trouble with Heroes is a heartfelt, moving page-turner that tackles grief, loss, anger and redemption. Another Kate Messner triumph! * Dan Gemeinhart, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE MIDNIGHT CHILDREN and THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE *
The pitch-perfect tween voice spills out of the poetry with raw authenticity. Any tween who’s ever lost someone, made bad choices, or felt unworthy of love will identify with Finn. * Kip Wilson, award-winning author of WHITE ROSE *
As always, Kate Messner writes with an acute understanding of the emotional lives of today’s kids, and her respect for readers shines on every page. Messner is the Judy Blume of a new generation. * Anne Ursu, author of NOT QUITE A GHOST *
Pack your tissues and hold onto your hearts as Finn sweeps you into a tale that traverses the peaks and valleys of adolescence, of life, of grief, of growth. * K. A. Holt, award-winning author of HOUSE ARREST *
A masterpiece… . Part funny, part fascinating, and fully rooted in a deep emotional soul, readers of all kinds will be rooting for Finn Connelly with everything they’ve got. * Ann Braden, award-winning author of FLIGHT OF THE PUFFIN *
Finn’s journey will speak to every kid who’s felt the weight of the world on their shoulders. * Laura Shovan, award-winning author of TAKEDOWN *
Magnificent and moving. The Trouble with Heroes is a triumph—as healing and inspiring as the view
from a mountain peak.
Tenderly proffers the healing power of nature… . A gently reflective, bittersweet, and redemptive story. * Booklist, starred review *
An adventurous work whose authentic voice celebrates the outdoors and everyday heroism. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *
A timely meditation on grief, anger, and the solace offered by nature. * Publishers Weekly, starred review *
This is a must-purchase for all libraries. Finn’s journey from loss to gain is both breathtaking and deeply satisfying. * SLJ, starred review *
Sincere, and heartrending… . Hiking, and the way it encourages us to test our physical and emotional limits, could be an apt metaphor for healing. * The Wall Street Journal *
This verse novel covers a lot of ground, literally and metaphorically, and thoughtfully grapples with the big ideas of life. * Horn Book *
Hopeful … with complex, imperfect characters that feel effortlessly real… . [Reminds] readers that everyone, including heroes, faces challenges, but by working hard and finding support and community, they can move forward, one step at a time. * BCCB *
Tween and young teen readers who appreciate contemporary fiction or mixed media novels should find plenty to ponder in this emotionally potent narrative that contains more heart-wrenching moments than the Adirondacks have high peaks. * Shelf Awareness *
Kate Messner
Kate Messner is a New York Times bestselling author who 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 leads the multi-author team behind The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class chapter books. She splits her time between Lake Champlain and South Florida and is a proud Adirondack 46er.
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