"I am captivated by this book because it’s such a structured, hilarious, and riveting story."
#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.
The title of this book is The Labors of Hercules Beal. It’s a Juvenile mythology and fiction novel.
Hercules Beal was named after a legendary son of Zeus, but he thinks that he doesn’t live up to that name. As he gets to meet his new teacher in school, he has to complete a unique assignment. He has to redo the twelve labors of Hercules. He is unsure of how this is supposed to be completed when there are no mythical creatures.
The Labors of Hercules Beal
Recommended by Maks
A car crash, dealing with loss, and sadness of being away from his big brother, and a hurricane that forces them into harsher conditions, makes it harder to finish this annual assignment, but as he gets farther into it, he notices something. He doesn’t have to do it alone. Soon enough he has a dog, a cat, and other friends on his side. Hercules the legend did his labors by himself, but Hercules Beal found himself stronger with his friends and allies.
I love the story because Hercules was strong and didn’t let himself be defeated by those circumstances. He found his way through the dark parts. He knows himself, but he underestimated his abilities, although, he did figure that out and pull himself together and overcome his challenges. I am captivated by this book because it’s such a structured, hilarious, and riveting story. It’s serious in its own way, because it discusses sensitive topics about loss, but in a way that isn’t very sappy. The story is very well written. I would rate this a 4.99 out of 5. It’s just a teensy bit repetitive about how he is underestimating himself. Other than that, the book is elegantly composed.
Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?
Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?
