THE LABORS OF HERCULES BEAL by Gary D. Schmidt

 

A number of things make life difficult for Hercules Beal. As you can imagine, his name doesn't help. It's a challenge every time he introduces himself. His size also doesn't help. He's been waiting for a growth spurt forever. Being smaller than even some of the girls in his grade makes him the victim of constant taunts. And, then there's the big thing - his parents were killed in an accident, and he is missing them terribly.

His parents' deaths forced Hercules's older brother Achilles to move home to take care of not only Hercules, but also the family business. The Beal Brothers Farm and Nursery has been around for generations. Everyone in Truro and the entire Cape Cod area come to Beal Brothers for all their planting needs. Hercules doesn't know anything else but growing up on the farm. Achilles, on the other hand, had planned something else for his life. Leaving a job that has taken him around the world to return home raise his little brother and keep the family business going, was not in his plans. Together, they will do the best they can.

As the school year begins, Hercules is also getting used to a new school. Attending the Cape Cod Academy for Environmental Sciences means leaving behind his best friend Elly and dealing with teachers ready to pile on the workload. One teacher in particular, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Hupfer, assigns a year-long project that might just end Hercules. The topic for his project is to study, recreate, summarize, and relate with his own life experiences the mythical Twelve Labors of Hercules. Twelve? Yes, all twelve! How in the world can Hercules complete this project, keep up with his other school work, and help on the Beal Brothers Farm and Nursery? There aren't enough hours in the day!

Author Gary D. Schmidt weaves together an amazing tale in THE LABORS OF HERCULES BEAL. Hercules's unique voice grabbed my attention on page one. I could sense the sadness of missing his parents and his courage and determination to help his brother make them proud. A combination of humor, warmth, love, and friendship make this an adventure sure to please middle grade audiences, especially those with an interest in mythology.