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Final Round - 2024 Mock Newbery Award
By Kristen · 34 posts · 187 views
last updated Jan 16, 2024 06:26AM
What Members Thought
There is a lot that I loved about The Labors of Hercules Beal, but what was most striking to me looking back at it is how skillfully Schmidt writes the exposition of the opening chapter. If you have read the book, I would encourage you to go back and reread the first chapter just to see how much he sets up this narrative within the confines of chapter one. A great mentor text for how exposition can be done, and a great opportunity for a close reading and discussion upon completion of the book fo
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Schmidt is so great at these emotional, sappy, feel good kind of reads featuring great, mature kids learning lessons.
But they don’t ring completely true to me— they are a little bit too perfect. The first two times I experienced a Schmidt book (Wednesday Wars and Okay for Now), I loved them and was so so moved. But with this one— I felt a lot of rehashing of old themes, a lot of obvious longing for how we wish the world would be.(i.e. gruff neighbors with hearts of gold, communities coming toge ...more
But they don’t ring completely true to me— they are a little bit too perfect. The first two times I experienced a Schmidt book (Wednesday Wars and Okay for Now), I loved them and was so so moved. But with this one— I felt a lot of rehashing of old themes, a lot of obvious longing for how we wish the world would be.(i.e. gruff neighbors with hearts of gold, communities coming toge ...more
This is classic Gary Schmidt: a caring teacher helping a troubled kid. The setting is so beautifully and lovingly described, you'll want to move to Cape Cod (even though the weather is treacherous). You will also wish your neighbors were as kind and generous as the folks in Truro. There are no bad guys in this book, except one bully who ends up coming around (of course, because Gary Schmidt).
I noticed that there are a lot of car accidents in this book. When the story begins Hercules and Achille ...more
I noticed that there are a lot of car accidents in this book. When the story begins Hercules and Achille ...more
There are certain things you can always count on in a Gary Schmidt novel: it will make you laugh, then cry, then both simultaneously. There will probably be a class of kids, and a teacher (and probably some other significant adults) who shine through. Some real heartbreak and some amazing joy. If you read them all, you can look for names you recognize from earlier books. Some people will say there are too many coincidences, or that plot elements wrap up too neatly, but that's the joy of fiction
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I really like everything Gary Schmidt writes and this was a good book. Compared to some of his other books, I found it a little bit predictable which is why it gets 4 stars instead of 5. Middle grade kids might be more surprised than I was though, I'm still excited to add it to my classroom library. As a bonus, the cover is beautiful!
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I liked the creative setup for the storyline. I learned a lot about the mythological Hercules.
My favorite character is the Lieutenant Colonel. Amazingly tough assignments for the students, though. Not sure if the 6th graders I know would like this book.
My favorite character is the Lieutenant Colonel. Amazingly tough assignments for the students, though. Not sure if the 6th graders I know would like this book.
Gary D. Schmidt made me cry again with his wonderful characters (and yet another connection to The Wednesday Wars, albeit in the next generation)! This story was very reminiscent of The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, an old favorite, though Hercules had a tragedy in his life shortly before the story begins and has 12 labors to endure rather than locating 7 wonders.
If this doesn't win some sort of Newbery, I'll eat my (tear-soaked, full-hearted) hat. Our whole family loved this one. ♥️💔🌅
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Another absolute winner by Gary Schmidt. Really tough topics handled with respect and grace. Flawed people helping each other through life. Loved it.
Aug 02, 2023
Mary Lee
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2023,
knock-my-socks-off,
straighttomyheart,
mythology,
family,
setting,
school,
dogs,
cats,
grief-loss
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would.
Aug 08, 2023
Ellen
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
kid-midgr-11-14yo,
audiobook,
realistic-fiction,
funny,
social-issues,
pets-farm-zoo,
grief,
family
Jun 01, 2023
Beth Given
marked it as to-read
Jun 15, 2023
Monica Edinger
marked it as to-read
Jun 24, 2023
Leslie
marked it as to-read
Jul 01, 2023
Lizzie K
added it
Jul 24, 2023
Bekah
marked it as to-read
Aug 04, 2023
Julie
marked it as to-read
