THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES

THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner

Finn Connelly is a boy growing up without his dad. His dad was one of New York's finest - a fire fighter. In the nation's eyes, he was a hero. He was there at Ground Zero on 9/11, and he was there for the the COVID pandemic. But the world didn't see what Finn saw. A man that after 9/11 began drinking to cope. Who took a break for a while, got himself clean, but returned during the pandemic only to be found dead in his car (see SPOILER ALERT below). Falling apart, Finn takes his grief and anger out on a headstone in a local cemetery kicking it over. What he doesn't realize is, the whole thing was caught on camera. Turns out the lady's headstone he knocked over was a mountain climber, part of a group called the 46ers, and she believed that time in the mountains could help a person heal from all kinds of pain. Instead of pressing charges, the daughter makes Finn a deal that her mother would have approved of. She'll drop the charges if he agrees to climb the Adirondacks' 46 peaks in one summer. In the process, he might learn a thing or two about himself and just maybe a thing or two about his dad as well.

The Trouble With Heroes is a beautifully written book in free verse form. DO NOT LET THAT STOP YOU FROM READING THIS BOOK! It reads just like a story, and it is well worth the read!

Know also, that while Finn's Dad had struggles, he ultimately was a hero, and Finn learns to respect his father in the process! The book ends in a positive way.

Some fun extras in this book! This book is packed with cookie recipes! (I won't spoil it and tell you why! ) It also references the true peaks of the Adirondacks, so you can look up pictures and locations.

SPOILER ALERT - Finn's Dad does not die from suicide or overdose. He passes away from COVID.

HEADS UP- Two uses of God's name in vain.