Reviews

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt

avidreader12345's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.25

emromc's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

reidy_reads's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

line_magnus's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

roseleaf24's review

5.0

This book is amazing. Hercules Break is a twelve -year-old, trying to find his way through his grief. His teacher assigns a mythology project specific to each student, and Hercules is supposed to work through the 12 labors of the mythological Hercules. His journey is heart wrenching, creative, at times hilarious. Beautiful.

librarydosebykristy's review

3.0

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 together to work for free, big problems with heart warming solutions) And I’m fine with that, but it’s a three star read for me….
I will however treasure my first experience with The Wednesday Wars— such a great book.

mary_rozendal's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

atuckerdye's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

book_reviews_with_sam's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

stephanie_happylibrarian's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is such an under rated book--I wish more would read it.