The Trouble with Heroes
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–14 · 2025 · Est. 4 hour read

The Trouble with Heroes

Written by Kate Messner

A troubled boy must climb 46 peaks in one summer to find redemption and face unexpected challenges.

4.5 Goodreads · 5,239 ratings
288 pages· 36,338 words· Est. 4 hour read· ~800L
$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Finn Connelly, struggling and on the brink of failing seventh grade, faces a unique challenge after vandalizing a cemetery. To avoid charges, he must climb 46 Adirondack High Peaks with a dog. As he navigates the rugged trails, Finn discovers more about himself and his late father, a heroic firefighter. With each summit, he gains new insights, but the mountains hold surprises that test his limits. Can Finn conquer the final peak and find the redemption he seeks before summer ends?

From the publisher

Bestselling and award-winning author Kate Messner takes readers on a heart-filling journey as a boy finds his path to healing. One summer.46 mountain peaks.A second chance to make things right. Finn Connelly is nothing like his dad, a star athlete and firefighter hero who always ran toward danger until he died two years ago. Finn’s about to fail seventh grade and has never made headlines . . . until now. Caught on camera vandalizing a cemetery, he’s in big trouble for kicking down some dead old lady’s headstone. But it turns out that grave belongs to a legendary local mountain climber, and her daughter makes Finn an unusual offer: climb all forty-six Adirondack High Peaks with her dead mother’s dog, and they can call it even. In a wild three months of misadventures, mountain mud, and unexpected mentors, Finn begins to find his way on the trails. At the top of each peak, he can see for miles and slowly begins to understand more about himself and his dad. But the mountains don’t care about any of that, and as the clock ticks down to September, they have more surprises in store. Finn’s final summit challenge may be more than even a hero can face.

At a glance
Format
Pages
288
Words
36,338
Reading age
9–14
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
~800L
Themes & topics
Books about deathBooks about familyBooks about outdoor activitiesBooks about social themesBooks about death, grief, and bereavement
The author

More from Kate Messner

Explore Kate's bookshelf
The Exact Location of Home
Sale price
$899

The Exact Location of Home

Ages 8–12 · 2014

Chirp

Ages 10–13 · 2020

Once Upon a Book

Ages 4–8 · 2023

Only the Best

Ages 5–8 · 2022
Your next read

Books that feel like this one

See all similar books

The Death and Life of Benny Brooks

Ages 9–14 · 2023
A Comb of Wishes
Sale price
$1699

A Comb of Wishes

Ages 8–12 · 2022

The Honest Truth

Ages 8–12 · 2015

Mockingbird

Ages 9–13 · 2010

Ferris

Ages 8–12 · 2024

Far from Fair

Ages 10–12 · 2016

Eggs

Ages 8–12 · 2007
The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
5.1
F&P level
~S
AR points
6
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
553087
Publication
Published
April 29, 2025
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9781547616398

Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.

Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.

Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.

Top contributors: Amy Lovseth · Literary Leslie

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo