A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation

By Pablo Cartaya

A reluctant hero and his grandfather face real and imagined demons on a transformative road trip.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 614 ratings

288 pages· 51,866 words· Est. 7 hour read

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Gonzalo, a quiet observer, is thrust into an unexpected adventure with his estranged grandfather, a famous author. As they journey from Mendocino to Miami in a vintage convertible, they confront both real and imagined demons. Over ten days, Gonzalo discovers that true heroism lies in facing family secrets and rewriting old narratives. Will this road trip redefine their bond and reveal the true meaning of family? Join them on a journey where reality blurs with fantasy, and every mile brings a new revelation.

From the publisher

A New York Times bestseller! Reality proves more epic than fantasy in this family road trip story starring a reluctant young hero and his curmudgeonly grandfather. Gonzalo Alberto Sánchez García has never considered himself the hero of his own story. He’s an observer, quietly snapshotting landscapes and drawing the creatures he imagines emerging from them. Forced to spend the summer with his estranged grandfather, Alberto William García–the very famous reclusive author–Gonzalo doesn’t expect to learn that heroes and monsters are not only the stuff of fantasy. But that’s precisely what happens when Gonzalo’s CEO mother, Veronica, sends Alberto on tour to promote the final book in his fantasy series for children and Gonzalo must tag along, even though he feels no connection to his grandfather or the books. Together, they embark on a cross-country road trip from Mendocino to Miami in a classic 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S convertible named Mathilde. Over the course of ten epic days on the highway, they will slay demons, real and imagined; confront old stories to write new ones; and learn what it truly means to show up for your family.

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