by Gary D. Schmidt
352 pages
Hercules Beal, named after the mythical hero, is anything but superhuman. As the smallest kid in his class, he's skeptical when his teacher assigns him the task of replicating Hercules's legendary feats. Missing his parents and wishing for more time with his brother, Herc embarks on his own journey with the help of new friends, both human and animal. Along the way, he discovers that he doesn't have to face challenges alone, unlike his mythological counterpart.