LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 46 Meet Finley, the "fair haired hero," protagonist, and narrator of Kate Messner's The Trouble With Heroes, published this spring by Bloomsbury Children's Books. Not only is Finn struggling with common and relat- able middle school issues such as passing classes and fitting in, he is also trying to make sense of his father's death and of the deep anger and sadness he feels. Finn has failed seventh grade Physical Education by missing too many classes and seventh grade EL A for not completing a poetry assignment about heroes. Both tasks have proven impossible for Finn both due to his "busted heart" and the fact that "there is no such thing as a hero." Finn especially struggles with the fact that his dad was an actual hero during both 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic, yet "kept choosing everybody else." Finn mostly remembers the back of his father's head, tip- toeing around him, and his dad (a former hockey star) being critical of his son's love of baking. How can he come to terms with the loss of a man who was a hero to everyone except his own family? When his pent up sadness and anger one day over- whelms him, he kicks over the headstone of Edna Grace Thomas – a beloved mother, friend, and Adirondack 46er – setting into motion an unintended adventure of friendship, healing, and the discovery of much needed answers and truth. For his actions, Finn's punishment is to climb all 46 Adirondack high peaks during the summer, along with various guides and Seymour – Edna's "droolface" of a dog – who takes to Finn faster than Finn takes to him. This is also an opportunity to make up for his failed classes so he can move on to the eighth grade. What he doesn't yet realize is that it is not only he who will be making the epic journey to become an Adirondack 46er. Messner's use of poetry makes the text flow beau- tifully, yet the humor and simplicity makes us believe that it is the voice of a young teenage boy. As he tackles the High Peaks, bonding with both his guides and Seymour, he learns much about his father, himself, and what a hero truly is. His poetry shifts slowly from a sardonic, Holden Caulfield-esqe style to a more well-thought out verse of a kid who is becoming more comfortable with himself and his voice. Along with this acceptance of self, Finn begins making cookie recipes to represent each high peak. He knows he is good at this, and feels pride in his creativity and baking skills. He shows this skill can also be heroic, and can help save someone's livelihood. Nearly every page includes delightful metaphors, similes, analogies (all of the fun literary devices) that are fitting to a middle school experience. I found my- self chuckling over details such as the canned, lacklus- ter "have a great summer" and "wish I knew you better, you seem nice" yearbook signings, or "pointless end-of- June pencils." The Trouble With Heroes was an enchanting read, and so relevant to the post 9/11 and COVID experience – both for kids and adults. Messner's use of poetry and humor is spot-on; her love and respect for our beloved Adirondack mountains shines through. And don't for- get there's a drooling dog. You won't want to miss the moment Finn becomes a hero to Seymour (or the poem that Seymour writes)! t By Ashley Treska Book Review: Kate Messner's The Trouble With Heroes

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