The Labors of Hercules Beal

This is a story about a seventh-grader named Hercules navigating trauma and grief, that are aptly rendered as struggles through twelve, um, Herculean labors.

Schmidt is a master storyteller, and Hercules is another one of his endearing twelve-year-olds (“Oh boy, oh boy”) whose drole observations in a supportive but eccentric Cape Cod community you’d like to live in will make you laugh out loud.

Hercules’ journey of well-earned healing and growth after a staggering loss—with wonderful supporting characters, including a drill sergeant of a teacher, brother Achilles’ vampire girlfriend, an awesome support dog, and loyal sidekicks—should be savored and shared… show more.